An executive briefing discusses how climate action can help Europe improve its energy security. The five McKinsey authors are Jesse Noffsinger, Nadia Christakou, Hamid Samandari, Humayun Tai is a senior partner and Dickon Pinner. How climate action can help deliver EU energy security Europe is currently facing two major energy challenges. The first is … Continue reading New McKinsey briefing: governments can act now to accelerate the energy transition in Europe to both improve the continent’s long-term energy security and reduce emissions
Category: EU policies
We have a lot of work cut out for us to get the energy efficiency improvements we need
Minimum energy performance standards for buildings coupled with generous tax rebates for renovations – 110% in Italy – could unlock the energy service company market in Europe. Sonja van Renssen discusses the main issues with Jessica Stromback in an article on the Energy Monitor website. Expect a “seismic shift” on energy efficiency – Jessica … Continue reading We have a lot of work cut out for us to get the energy efficiency improvements we need
European Commission urges member states to slash gas use by 15% to counter ‘Russian blackmail’
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, thinks that a total cut-off of Gazprom shipments to the EU-27 is 'probable.' To counter this, Brussels has come up with a plan based on voluntary action, asking each of its member countries to curb their consumption. Virginie Malingre discusses the announcement in an article on … Continue reading European Commission urges member states to slash gas use by 15% to counter ‘Russian blackmail’
New EEA reports on which European cities have the best air quality
The cleanest cities in Europe in terms of air quality during 2020 and 2021 were Umeå in Sweden, and Faro and Funchal in Portugal according to the updated European city air quality data viewer published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) recently. In addition to the viewer, the EEA also published two reports looking at … Continue reading New EEA reports on which European cities have the best air quality
New report by Coolproducts: Impact of a ban of fossil heating technologies on NECPs and National Energy Dependency
Coolproducts coalition of European NGOs working to ensure that ecodesign and energy labelling truly work for Europeans and the environment. It recently published a report that investigates the potential impact of an EU ban on sales of fossil boilers on achievement of existing targets for heating decarbonisation and energy dependency of the individual Member States. … Continue reading New report by Coolproducts: Impact of a ban of fossil heating technologies on NECPs and National Energy Dependency
New EEA report on sewage treatment plants role in helping Europe meet its zero-pollution targets
Sewage treatment can play a key role in Europe’s shift to a zero-pollution future by becoming more resource efficient and contributing to the circular economy, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report published recently. Making Europe’s sewage treatment plants more efficient and circular can help meet zero-pollution targets Most of Europe’s urban waste … Continue reading New EEA report on sewage treatment plants role in helping Europe meet its zero-pollution targets
New EEA briefing looks at inequalities arising from climate change effects and how to address them through equitable climate change adaptation
Climate change affects all Europeans but vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, children, low-income groups and people with health problems or disabilities, are the most affected. One in ten European schools and hospitals may also be at flood risk and about half of those facilities in cities are within intense urban heat islands. A European … Continue reading New EEA briefing looks at inequalities arising from climate change effects and how to address them through equitable climate change adaptation
“No matter how many supply-side resources we pour into the mix, the perfect blend will elude us until we stop treating demand-side flexibility as a final flourish of glitter”
With REPowerEU underway, Europe’s energy and climate strategy demands a rapid change of scenery. We must utilise the full palette of solutions available, including household flexibility, says Sophie Yule-Bennett from the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) in an article on the FORESIGHT Climate & Energy website. House power: the hidden powerhouse of the new energy … Continue reading “No matter how many supply-side resources we pour into the mix, the perfect blend will elude us until we stop treating demand-side flexibility as a final flourish of glitter”
New JRC report – Empowering vulnerable consumers in the energy transition
A new JRC paper examines ways to empower the energy poor and vulnerable consumers as active informed citizens and actors in the energy system, looking at exemplary practices from around Europe. Promising initiatives include energy advisors, trusted intermediaries, locally embedded innovative business models (like one-stop shops), trainings of energy actors, energy ombudsmen, energy cafés and … Continue reading New JRC report – Empowering vulnerable consumers in the energy transition
New EEA briefing on how circular economy principles can enhance the benefits of building renovation
Building renovation is a key contributor to improving energy efficiency and to achieving a climate neutral European Union (EU) by 2050. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, investigates how circular economy principles can enhance the benefits of building renovation. It finds that, through 2050, circularity can significantly reduce the use of materials … Continue reading New EEA briefing on how circular economy principles can enhance the benefits of building renovation
