New EEA briefing on modernising Europe’s energy-intensive industries

Emissions from energy-intensive industries in Europe have fallen sharply over the past two decades, but progress has stalled and the health-related costs of pollution remain high, according to a new European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing. Further reductions will require deeper industrial transformation, alongside full implementation of existing EU environmental legislation. Industrial transformation key to … Continue reading New EEA briefing on modernising Europe’s energy-intensive industries →

Energy in Demand News, February 22-23, 2026

In the rush to expand the use of coal in the US, the Financial Times reports that this week the US Environmental Protection Agency “rolled back strict controls imposed by former president Joe Biden’s administration on the volume of toxins that coal and oil-fired power plants can release into the atmosphere. The Trump administration has … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 22-23, 2026 →

Does clean energy generate too much waste? Hannah Ritchie checks the data on climate action

From the What on Earth programme on the CBC News website, Hannah Ritchie provides data to show where we are on the road to sustainability. The road to sustainability can seem hazy. Data shows where we need to go "Don’t solar panels and wind turbines generate huge amounts of waste? Aren’t our efforts pointless … Continue reading Does clean energy generate too much waste? Hannah Ritchie checks the data on climate action →

EU industry revival plan hits internal resistance as ‘Made in Europe’ debate intensifies

Nine European Commission departments pan the Industrial Accelerator Act, leaving the landmark proposal in a tough spot. In an article on the Politico website, Francesca Micheletti, Jordyn Dahl, Zia Weise and Martina Sapio discuss latest developments. Von der Leyen’s industry master plan runs into trouble Ursula von der Leyen’s master plan to revive European … Continue reading EU industry revival plan hits internal resistance as ‘Made in Europe’ debate intensifies →

New EEA briefing on interlinkages between circular economy and climate change mitigation

This briefing by the European Environment Agency provides information about the interlinkages between circular economy and climate change mitigation. It is based on a literature review of recent modelling results and supports the 2025 Clean Industrial Deal and 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan. Assessing the climate mitigation potential of circular economy Key messages Over … Continue reading New EEA briefing on interlinkages between circular economy and climate change mitigation →

Reflections on the IEA Ministerial

This past week on February 18 and 19, the 32 members of the International Energy Agency met for its bi-annual ministerial. Altogether 58 countries participated and there were over 40 at the ministerial level. There were also executives from more than 50 major energy companies including at least five that focus on energy efficiency technologies. … Continue reading Reflections on the IEA Ministerial →

Energy in Demand News, February 15-16, 2026

When it comes to climate and energy policies, we shouldn’t be shocked by any news coming out of Washington these days. But no doubt there is collective shock that the Trump administration has repealed the US government’s power to regulate climate change. Nearly 17 years after the Environmental Protection Agency declared that carbon dioxide and … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 15-16, 2026 →

New energy law adopted in France — major shift in strategy

Forrest Crellin and America Hernandez write on the Reuter’s website about the shift in energy policy in France. Renewable energy targets (wind and solar) have been cut or loosened compared with previous ambitions while nuclear power is now central to the government’s decarbonisation strategy. France aims to boost decarbonised power production by 20% over … Continue reading New energy law adopted in France — major shift in strategy →

Electric motors in Europe: a no brainer for accelerating replacement

When one hears that one technology uses about 70% of a factory’s electricity consumption and that about half of those deployed are over 10 years old with a quarter over 20 years, one wonders why the market to replace them is sluggish at best. Yes, it is time for a shake-up. The technology under discussion … Continue reading Electric motors in Europe: a no brainer for accelerating replacement →

Designed for a different climate: why our cities are now at risk

In an article on The Conversation website, Mohamed Shaheen, Lecturer in Structural Engineering, Loughborough University discusses that design rulebooks were based on decades of historical weather data and that these rulebooks are now becoming obsolete since they were written in an era of cooler climates. City skylines need an upgrade in the face of … Continue reading Designed for a different climate: why our cities are now at risk →