We must reduce GHG emissions to net zero by 2050 to have a reasonable chance of limiting global warming to 1.5C. Human activities - mainly the burning of fossil fuels - are currently emitting far too much CO2 every year. One approach to reducing CO2 emissions is emissions trading – it is carrot-and-stick: emitters of … Continue reading Understanding the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS)
Category: EU policies
Investing in renewable energy and promoting electric vehicles is far from being enough to limit global warming and achieve sustainability
Shifting to electric vehicles while maintaining current travelling habits will not deliver emissions reductions required by European Green Deal and Paris Agreement. Margarita Mediavilla and Khaled Diab discuss the issues in an article on The Ecologist website. The unsustainability of the electric car The European Green Deal sets ambitious targets for decarbonising the European … Continue reading Investing in renewable energy and promoting electric vehicles is far from being enough to limit global warming and achieve sustainability
Discussing the concerns about the EU’s net-zero emissions plans
The net-zero emissions plans in the EU have come under fire because they include not only emissions from fossil fuel burning and cement production, but also CO₂ removal by “carbon sinks” like forests or the soil. Wolfgang Knorr, Senior Research Scientist, Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science at Lund University reviews on The Conversation website what … Continue reading Discussing the concerns about the EU’s net-zero emissions plans
New JRC report: Untapping multiple benefits: hidden values in environmental and building policies
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has recently published an important new research study on how we can untap the multi benefits from improved energy efficiency in our buildings policies. The untapped / hidden benefits of environmental policies are huge. This piece of research showcases and places a monetary value on the added benefits … Continue reading New JRC report: Untapping multiple benefits: hidden values in environmental and building policies
A struggle between the few financial institutions that are pushing for an ambitious new European green finance policy framework and incumbent vested interests opposing it
New analysis from InfluenceMap warns 19 out of 20 industry lobby groups are actively opposing measures contained within the EU's proposed Sustainable Finance Strategy. This article was published on the Business Green website. Are 'vested interests' threatening the EU's sustainable finance strategy? EU efforts to establish an ambitious sustainable finance policy are being undermined … Continue reading A struggle between the few financial institutions that are pushing for an ambitious new European green finance policy framework and incumbent vested interests opposing it
Is it time to change our priorities for mitigating GHG emissions from energy efficiency improvements?
I’m worried that the energy efficiency community will be accused of fake news. I think we have deluded ourselves into thinking that energy efficiency really will be the most cost-effective way to achieve impressive greenhouse gas emission reductions. We’ve been saying that for years, but… Let’s just look at buildings. There are lots of initiatives … Continue reading Is it time to change our priorities for mitigating GHG emissions from energy efficiency improvements?
European Commission has launched the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance with industry leaders, civil society, national and regional ministers and the EIB
It has taken a long time for a major push to promote hydrogen but the EU came out with its new hydrogen strategy this week. The priority is to produce hydrogen from renewables and hopefully only renewables if it is to be truly sustainable. The renews.biz website provides a news item on developments this week. … Continue reading European Commission has launched the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance with industry leaders, civil society, national and regional ministers and the EIB
New EEA briefing on CO2 emissions from new passenger cars in 2019
According to provisional data, published this week by the European Environment Agency (EEA), average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new passenger cars registered in the European Union (EU), Iceland, Norway and the United Kingdom (UK), increased in 2019, for the third consecutive year. The average CO2 emissions from new vans also increased slightly. Zero- and … Continue reading New EEA briefing on CO2 emissions from new passenger cars in 2019
New EEA briefing on importance of extending lifetime of electronics
Extending the lifetime and delaying obsolescence of electronics can significantly reduce their environmental and climate impacts and contribute to meeting the European Union’s (EU) environment, climate and circular economy objectives. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, smartphones, televisions, washing machines and vacuum cleaners all are used on average for shorter … Continue reading New EEA briefing on importance of extending lifetime of electronics
New EEA report shows average CO2 emissions from new cars and vans registered in Europe increased in 2018
Average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars registered in the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK) and Iceland increased in 2018 for the second year in a row, according to final data published this week by the European Environment Agency (EEA). For the first time, average CO2 emissions from new vans also increased … Continue reading New EEA report shows average CO2 emissions from new cars and vans registered in Europe increased in 2018
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 