This report from the European Environmental Bureau, Cement It Better: Unlocking Low-Carbon Concrete in Europe, argues that Europe already has many of the technologies needed to dramatically reduce emissions from cement and concrete production, but that outdated regulations and market barriers are preventing their widespread adoption. It highlights the potential of clinker substitution, low-carbon binders, … Continue reading New EEB report on accelerating decarbonisation of Europe’s cement sector
Category: GHG emissions
Europe’s building renovation divide
In an article on the Euronews website, Alessio Dell'Anna writes about Europe's uneven progress on building renovation. Energy efficiency levels are rising, but not quickly enough, according to Brussels, which has launched an infringement procedure against all EU member states. Green homes: which countries are making their buildings more energy efficient? Last week, the … Continue reading Europe’s building renovation divide
Bridging Europe’s electrification gap
Ron Bousso writes on the Reuter’s website that Europe knows where it wants to go, but faces a perilous decade in which high energy costs could permanently damage industrial competitiveness before the benefits of electrification are realised. Europe’s electrification dream won’t spare a painful decade Europe faces a looming "death valley" of high energy … Continue reading Bridging Europe’s electrification gap
Energy in Demand News, July 19-20, 2026
The EU has big plans to electrify. It has set its first-ever electrification target: 46% by 2040. Electrification has hovered just under 24% for more than a decade. Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen told reporters in Brussels on Friday: “With this plan, we are putting Europe on a course to become the world’s first electro-continent.” Check … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 19-20, 2026
National Building Renovation Plans – the European Commission’s first assessment
The Commission’s first assessment of the complete draft National Building Renovation Plans (NBRPs) shows strong commitment by EU countries to make buildings more energy efficient and decarbonised. This, in turn, lowers energy bills and makes buildings more liveable, particularly during harsh winter conditions or heatwaves. Buildings account for more than 30% of all energy used in Europe … Continue reading National Building Renovation Plans – the European Commission’s first assessment
The end of Europe’s energy label babel
In an article on The Conversation website, Lala Rukh, PhD Candidate, Energy, University of Galway; Atlantic Technological University writes how Europe is dismantling a fragmented system of incompatible building energy labels and replacing it with a common framework. Confused about your building’s energy performance? Here’s how to understand Europe’s new labels Imagine an apartment … Continue reading The end of Europe’s energy label babel
Commercial buildings: the UK’s forgotten energy efficiency challenge
Andrew Warren writes on the Business Green website that the issue is not simply weaker MEES regulations, but government has no discernible strategy for reducing energy demand across the vast majority of non-residential buildings in England and Wales. Andrew Warren chairs the British Energy Efficiency Federation, and is a former special advisor to the House … Continue reading Commercial buildings: the UK’s forgotten energy efficiency challenge
European Commission boosts Europe’s competitiveness, decarbonisation and independence with Electrification Action Plan and ETS review
On July 17th the Commission presented an Electrification Action Plan to make Europe the first electro-powered continent, and a stronger carbon market to support EU's industry in the clean transition and electrification. Europe's reliance on imported fossil fuels has repeatedly exposed it to geopolitical shocks. These have driven up energy prices for both households and companies, and dragged down our competitiveness. While … Continue reading European Commission boosts Europe’s competitiveness, decarbonisation and independence with Electrification Action Plan and ETS review
Energy in Demand News, July 12-13, 2026
Eurostar, the international high-speed rail service in Western Europe, will now be building its new generation of trains to withstand 55C summers. The new trains, to be built by Alstom, were originally designed to cope with conditions of up to 45C. But the UK Times website quotes Gwendoline Cazenave, chief executive of Eurostar, saying: “We … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 12-13, 2026
Americans are hearing about global warming in the media less frequently
The Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University has released a new report, “Climate Change in the American Mind: Beliefs & Attitudes, Spring 2026,” based on our latest national survey, conducted April 17-26, 2026. Key Takeaways 65% of Americans say the issue of global warming is personally important to them. 76% of Americans … Continue reading Americans are hearing about global warming in the media less frequently
