EU walks back 2035 all-electric target, permitting some new combustion engine cars

A last-minute deal in Berlin ensured the death of the combustion engine ban — a previously unthinkable outcome. Jordyn Dahl writes on the Politico website about the Commission’s latest plan that now goes to the European Parliament and Council. Also, check out the latest article by Monica Frassoni. She argues why the electric transition is … Continue reading EU walks back 2035 all-electric target, permitting some new combustion engine cars

Energy in Demand News, December 14-15, 2025

It’s not the year-end headline we wanted: “Three-year temperature average set to exceed 1.5C for first time,” writes the Financial Times. While not breaking news, it is still a shock to think that 10 years after the landmark Paris climate agreement, we’ve landed here. “Temperatures are on track to exceed the 1.5C threshold of average … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, December 14-15, 2025

France updates its 2050 carbon neutrality roadmap

To mark the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, France released on Friday a revamped climate plan promising to phase out oil and gas and sharply increase electricity use. The following is an AFP news item from the France24 website.   France updates net-zero plan, with fossil fuel phaseout The updated strategy was unveiled on … Continue reading France updates its 2050 carbon neutrality roadmap

Energy in Demand News, November 30, 2025

There is a fascinating news item from New York., reported in a Financial Times newsletter this week. “New York City’s top finance official has urged three of the city’s biggest pension funds to drop BlackRock as a manager of more than $42bn, as the metropolis looks to use its weight in markets to tackle climate … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, November 30, 2025

Fossil fuel-producing nations are derailing world climate targets, report says

The Production Gap Report from the Stockholm Environment Institute, Climate Analytics, and International Institute for Sustainable Development, finds that 10 years after the Paris Agreement, governments plan to produce more than double the volume of fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, steering the world further from the … Continue reading Fossil fuel-producing nations are derailing world climate targets, report says

Understanding primary versus useful energy in the clean-energy transiti

Asma Aziz, Senior Lecturer in Power Engineering, Edith Cowan University writes on The Conversation website to explain why the concept of primary energy can mislead us about the clean-energy transition. What are your views?   This widely used chart makes the clean energy switch seem much harder than it actually is If you follow news … Continue reading Understanding primary versus useful energy in the clean-energy transiti

Energy in Demand News, November 23-24, 2025

Two years ago, at COP28 in the Dubai, countries agreed on the need to "transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems." This was essentially the first time that official documents in the UNFCCC process made reference to fossil fuels. COP30 was extended from the planned closing on Friday because of a deadlock over fossil … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, November 23-24, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s solar surge: reinventing an oil empire

Laura Paddison writes on the CNN news website about Saudi Arabia’s solar boom. Saudi Arabia has pledged to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and the race is on to meet it.   This oil-rich country has stood in the way of climate action. It’s quietly building a clean energy empire … Continue reading Saudi Arabia’s solar surge: reinventing an oil empire

Energy in Demand News, November 16-17, 2025

EiD has always promoted low/no carbon mobility, but Slovakia, it seems, not so much. The Guardian this week headlined “Slow-vakia” its report on a new law setting a 6km/h speed limit for cyclists, skaters, scooter and e-scooter riders on pavements in Slovakia that has prompted mockery, criticism and a rash of online memes. “At such … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, November 16-17, 2025

Pacific Island leaders have a bold plan to become the world’s first region powered entirely by renewables and energy storage

In an article on The Conversation website, Wesley Morgan, Research Associate, Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney and Scott Hamilton, Adjunct Associate Professor in Engineering, Monash University discuss the bold plans that Pacific Island nations have to bypass fossil fuels and run fully on renewables. Will they succeed?   How Pacific nations plan … Continue reading Pacific Island leaders have a bold plan to become the world’s first region powered entirely by renewables and energy storage