Energy in Demand News, July 30, 2023

Energy in Demand News… July 30, 2023 No one said the zero carbon energy transition would be easy. This week there have been some interesting news related to making progress: A Financial Times newsletter noted that the energy transition could hinge on recycling because of a shortage of needed metals such as copper, nickel and … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 30, 2023

The need for addressing embodied carbon in our buildings

An efficient EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive must look out for the reduction of ‘whole life carbon emissions’ in order to achieve Europe’s climate goals, writes Zsolt Toth from BPIE in an article on the EURACTIV website. Just published is a PhD thesis by Jane Anderson on on 'Reducing Embodied Carbon in the Built … Continue reading The need for addressing embodied carbon in our buildings

Energy ministers failed to agree on phasing down fossil fuels and setting ambitious renewable energy targets at recent G20 meeting

The world’s largest economies failed to agree on targets to phase down fossil fuels and scale up renewables. What sort of impact will this have on upcoming COP28 later this year? Matteo Civillini and Reuters discuss latest developments in an article on the Climate Change News website.   G20 divisions over key climate goals pile … Continue reading Energy ministers failed to agree on phasing down fossil fuels and setting ambitious renewable energy targets at recent G20 meeting

While household air conditioning is one of the “most effective adaptation strategies to reduce heat-related mortality and morbidity,” it can also be an unsustainable and problematic solution to extreme heat

Emily Chung  writes on the CBC News website about the benefits and costs of air conditioning in extreme heat. Passive cooling, greenery, behaviour changes are more sustainable, researchers say.   Why air conditioners can be a problematic solution to extreme heat As extreme heat hits many parts of the world amid a warming climate, millions … Continue reading While household air conditioning is one of the “most effective adaptation strategies to reduce heat-related mortality and morbidity,” it can also be an unsustainable and problematic solution to extreme heat

Even when the carbon captured by new trees is taken into account, wood consumption accounts for about one-tenth of the world’s annual GHG emissions

Little is understood about the emissions from harvesting wood. Max Graham writes on the National Observer website about a new report that discusses the impact of the forest industry. Even when the carbon captured by new trees is taken into account, wood consumption accounts for about one-tenth of the world’s annual GHG emissions. There are … Continue reading Even when the carbon captured by new trees is taken into account, wood consumption accounts for about one-tenth of the world’s annual GHG emissions

New global shipping climate strategy is vague, obscure and almost noncommittal but points the industry toward a cleaner future

Don Maier, Associate Professor of Business at the University of Tennessee writes on The Conversation website about what the new shipping agreement means in terms of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.   Global shipping has a new climate strategy – it’s vague, obscure and almost noncommittal, but it may be pointing the industry in the … Continue reading New global shipping climate strategy is vague, obscure and almost noncommittal but points the industry toward a cleaner future

What engineers – and others – need to know about the EU Ecodesign Regulation

The second phase of the EU’s Ecodesign Regulation raises the bar for electric motor energy efficiency – and the rest of the world is sure to follow. Daniel Eberli from ABB, a technology leader in electrification and automation, discusses ecodesign in an article on the Engineer Live website.   Energy efficiency with ecodesign Energy efficiency … Continue reading What engineers – and others – need to know about the EU Ecodesign Regulation

Britain’s energy and climate transition: is it on track?

The latest progress report from the Climate Change Committee makes grim reading on progress towards net zero. Government inertia and reliance on old ways of thinking are to blame. Andrew Warren, Chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation discusses the report in the July issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry.   Has the UK … Continue reading Britain’s energy and climate transition: is it on track?

Blog from Jane Marsh: The Dark Side of Carbon Credits and How We Can Improve Them

Many organizations are making sustainability pledges to help combat climate change. Some companies aim to become net zero — emissions balanced by the amount produced and reduced. However, lowering overall emissions can prove complex and many businesses utilize carbon credits to help them reach this goal. Unfortunately, carbon credits are imperfect and many people believe … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: The Dark Side of Carbon Credits and How We Can Improve Them

Access to financing and lack of regulatory certainty, including at the EU level, remain key concerns for French SMEs on their green transition path

Théo Bourgery-Gonse writes on the EURACTIV website about what small and medium-sized enterprises need in France to decarbonise. Is it any different in your country?   French SMEs asked to decarbonise, want regulatory certainty Access to financing and lack of regulatory certainty, including at the EU level, remain key concerns for French SMEs on their … Continue reading Access to financing and lack of regulatory certainty, including at the EU level, remain key concerns for French SMEs on their green transition path