Recovery packages heavily weighted to support legacy fossil fuel energy

Tim McManan-Smith writes on the energyst website about a new report that the weight of support for the fossil fuel sector from announced stimulus packages shows the persisting institutional bias in favour of preserving a legacy sector. “This is very likely to prove myopic, economically-speaking, and misaligned with G20 countries’ decarbonisation commitments under the Paris … Continue reading Recovery packages heavily weighted to support legacy fossil fuel energy →

What it will take for Africa to go green and disentangle itself from the business of exporting fossil fuels abroad

As Africa develops faster, countries are shifting their focus to investment in renewable energy. The director of the Nairobi-based think tank Power Shift Africa explains how the continent can embark on a journey toward a green future. Sam Baker interviewed Mohamed Adow in an article on the Deutsche Welle website 'We are not locked … Continue reading What it will take for Africa to go green and disentangle itself from the business of exporting fossil fuels abroad →

What do Canadians think about the role oil and gas should play in Canada’s energy future, and how polarised is the conversation?

A University of Ottawa survey finds opinions polarized by party affiliation more than ideology, with party rhetoric amplifying ideological differences. Rafael Aguirre, Stephen Bird and Monica Gattinger discuss the survey on the Policy Options website. What Canadians think about the future of oil and gas The past 12 months have roiled the global oil … Continue reading What do Canadians think about the role oil and gas should play in Canada’s energy future, and how polarised is the conversation? →

At a meeting last year, oil industry leaders contradicted public claims that emissions of climate-warming methane are under control

Do oil companies have emissions under control or not? Hiroko Tabuchi writes on the New York Times website about a recording of a meeting of a group of energy company representatives that reveal their real views. A Secret Recording Reveals Oil Executives’ Private Views on Climate Change Last summer, oil and gas-industry groups were … Continue reading At a meeting last year, oil industry leaders contradicted public claims that emissions of climate-warming methane are under control →

Many US states and cities are suing oil companies for the damage they say their products have caused due to climate change

In a wave of recent lawsuits, local governments are demanding some of the nation’s biggest energy firms pay for the cost of dealing with increasing temperatures and rising seas. Dino Grandoni explains latest developments in an article on the Washington Post website. States and cities scramble to sue oil companies over climate change More … Continue reading Many US states and cities are suing oil companies for the damage they say their products have caused due to climate change →

Fossil fuel industry is demanding a trade deal that weakens Kenya’s rules on plastics and on imports of American trash

Confronting a climate crisis that threatens the fossil fuel industry, oil companies are racing to make more plastic. That means more waste. Faced with plunging profits and a climate crisis that threatens fossil fuels, the industry is demanding a trade deal that weakens Kenya’s rules on plastics and on imports of American trash. Hiroko Tabuchi, … Continue reading Fossil fuel industry is demanding a trade deal that weakens Kenya’s rules on plastics and on imports of American trash →

Mixed messages from BP about the low-carbon energy transition

We are getting mixed messages about BP and their approach to clean energy. This week, many news outlets have reported that BP plans significant investments in renewable energy and has plans for a future with more electrical generation. But Madeleine Cuff had an exclusive article on the inews website this week that shows a somewhat … Continue reading Mixed messages from BP about the low-carbon energy transition →

IEA has become increasingly supportive of clean energy yet “continues to appeal to its oil-producing funders, ducking hard questions about the endgame for dirty energy”

Under its Executive Director, Fatih Birol, the IEA leads talk of a green recovery, yet dodges hard questions about phasing out dirty energy. Chloé Farand discusses in an article on the Climate Change News website. For all its green talk, the IEA still gives comfort to oil and gas producers When oil major Total … Continue reading IEA has become increasingly supportive of clean energy yet “continues to appeal to its oil-producing funders, ducking hard questions about the endgame for dirty energy” →

Warning labels, like those on cigarette packets, could be used to show the health risks of fossil fuels

Labels could connect the dots between the 'abstract threat of the climate emergency with the use of the fossil fuels in the here and now'. Louise Boyle writes on The Independent website that a group of health experts are suggesting that they be used. What are your views? Fossil fuels should have cigarette-style warnings, … Continue reading Warning labels, like those on cigarette packets, could be used to show the health risks of fossil fuels →

European governments often appear to champion low-carbon policies yet, in 2017, EU countries collectively spent US$87 billion subsidising the cost of fossil fuels

We all know that fossil fuels are still heavily subsidised but it is still a surprise to see the extent of them. Radek Stefanski, Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University of St Andrews discusses the subsides in an article on The Conversation website. With the President-elect for the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen … Continue reading European governments often appear to champion low-carbon policies yet, in 2017, EU countries collectively spent US$87 billion subsidising the cost of fossil fuels →