Update on the energy performance of buildings

Improving the energy performance of our buildings is a high priority as countries roll out their net-zero energy transition strategies. This week there were two interesting articles you should be aware of: The Mortgage Solutions website writes that around 80 per cent of landlords have already completed energy efficiency works in the UK. Check out … Continue reading Update on the energy performance of buildings →

New research shows promise in reducing the carbon emissions of fertilisers

Nitrogen fertiliser is considered one of the most important inventions of the 20th century. But production is dirty, and expensive. A group of scientists think they can change that. Tom Bawden discusses in an article on the inews website. Carbon footprint of gardening slashed after breakthrough in fertiliser emissions Fruit and vegetables could become … Continue reading New research shows promise in reducing the carbon emissions of fertilisers →

The average temperature at the planet’s surface is about 1.2℃ hotter than in the pre-industrial era – are we moving out of the Goldilocks zone?

Andrew King from the University of Melbourne and Steven Sherwood at UNSW Sydney write on The Conversation about their concerns about the impact of GHG emissions. Two trillion tonnes of greenhouse gases, 25 billion nukes of heat: are we pushing Earth out of the Goldilocks zone? Since the 18th century, humans have been taking … Continue reading The average temperature at the planet’s surface is about 1.2℃ hotter than in the pre-industrial era – are we moving out of the Goldilocks zone? →

Satellite technology holds the potential to fast-forward the net-zero transition

In an article on the Energy Monitor website, Oliver Gordon talks to Inmarsat’s Jat Brainch about the company’s recent research suggesting that wider adoption of satellite technology could reduce global GHG emissions by 18% and bring the net-zero transition forward by ten years. What are your views? Satellites can help the world reach net … Continue reading Satellite technology holds the potential to fast-forward the net-zero transition →

Sweden plans road that would allow electric cars to charge themselves as they are driven along its surface

The e-motorway, which is due to be completed in about two years, is part of wider efforts by Sweden to decarbonise the transport sector. James Rothwell discusses latest developments in an article on The Telegraph website. Sweden plans to build world’s first electrified motorway Sweden has announced plans to build the world’s first electrified … Continue reading Sweden plans road that would allow electric cars to charge themselves as they are driven along its surface →

European Green Deal: new law agreed to cut aviation emissions by promoting sustainable aviation fuels

A political agreement on the ReFuelEU Aviation proposal was reached April 25th between the European Parliament and the Council. Once in place, the new rules will help decarbonise the aviation sector by requiring fuel suppliers to blend sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) with kerosene in increasing amounts from 2025. This measure on its own is projected … Continue reading European Green Deal: new law agreed to cut aviation emissions by promoting sustainable aviation fuels →

Benefits of agrivoltaic farming

Joshua M. Pearce, John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation and Professor at Western University in Canada writes on The Conversation that crop yields increase when the crops are partially shaded with solar panels. How shading crops with solar panels can improve farming, lower food costs and reduce emissions If you have … Continue reading Benefits of agrivoltaic farming →

Dutch government announces major funding for climate measures

A news item on the Dutch News website details the latest funding for climate measures in The Netherlands. The approach is to ensure climate policy ‘works for everyone, no matter where they live, their age or their income.’ Is it enough? Cabinet allocates €28bn to slashing CO2 emissions The cabinet is to spend €28 … Continue reading Dutch government announces major funding for climate measures →

Are carbon offsets through airlines just ‘greenwashing’?

Spending a few dollars to offset the footprint of your flight may sound too good to be true because it is, climate experts say. JD Shadel explains in an article on the Washington Post website. Do you agree? Airlines want you to buy carbon offsets. Experts say they’re a ‘scam.’ “Book more sustainably” — … Continue reading Are carbon offsets through airlines just ‘greenwashing’? →

New briefing on the revised Energy Efficiency Directive

The Coalition for Energy Savings has recently published a briefing that explains the key EED provisions agreed. The ‘Fit for 55 package’ and the REPowerEU plan proposed to upgrade the current Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) to align it with the higher 2030 climate objective and speed up the phase-out of fossil fuel imports from Russia. … Continue reading New briefing on the revised Energy Efficiency Directive →