The growing importance of the EU Emissions Trading System

Derided for a decade for its ineffectiveness, this European emissions trading mechanism is now taking on a new significance writes Philippe Escande in an article on Le Monde website.   Climate: 'The EU emissions trading system is now proving relevant' It can take a lot of patience, experimentation and tenacity to see a good idea … Continue reading The growing importance of the EU Emissions Trading System

New EEA briefing on urgency to decarbonise heating

About half of the EU’s final energy consumption goes to heating, making it a key focus area in Europe’s efforts to improve energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, analyses this energy segment, urging investment in building renovations and modern renewable energy solutions.   Renovations and … Continue reading New EEA briefing on urgency to decarbonise heating

The “net zero” climate targets of 24 of the world’s largest companies fall far behind their promises

The “net zero” climate plans of 24 of the world’s largest companies add up to emissions reductions of only 36 percent, according to a report by the NewClimate institute and non-profit Carbon Market Watch. The strategies of the self-declared climate leaders, which include household names such as Amazon, Apple, Google, H&M, Nestle, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Walmart, are … Continue reading The “net zero” climate targets of 24 of the world’s largest companies fall far behind their promises

Blog from Jane Marsh: Can the U.S. EPA Do More to Regulate Emissions from Energy?

The climate crisis is becoming more of a concern than ever before. With global temperatures rising, it is no surprise that certain regions are experiencing the effects of climate change, such as melting ice caps, more severe natural disasters and extreme droughts. The U.S. EPA is well-known for establishing regulations and requirements for companies and … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: Can the U.S. EPA Do More to Regulate Emissions from Energy?

Sailing cargo ships are making a genuine comeback

Christiaan De Beukelaer, Senior Lecturer in Culture & Climate at The University of Melbourne writes on The Conversation website about the potential for wind-powered cargo ships to make a comeback globally. Amid much scepticism, he found most objections to wind-propelled shipping are based on four myths that can be easily debunked.   Wind-powered cargo ships … Continue reading Sailing cargo ships are making a genuine comeback

Fossil fuels still dominate the German heating market

A new heating report in Germany shows that oil and gas boilers continue to dominate the heating market. Heat pump sales, however, have increased more than 50%. According to the German heat pump association (BWP), the report “clearly shows that the incentives to switch heating systems to renewable technologies are not yet sufficient.” The heat … Continue reading Fossil fuels still dominate the German heating market

1.5°C – dead or alive? The risks to transformational change from reaching and breaching the Paris Agreement goal

The historical failure to sufficiently tackle the climate and ecological crisis could create consequences that challenge the ability of societies to tackle the root causes of this crisis. This is a doom loop: the consequences of the crisis and the failure to address it draw focus and resources from tackling its causes. Damian Carrington writes … Continue reading 1.5°C – dead or alive? The risks to transformational change from reaching and breaching the Paris Agreement goal

World Bank President, dogged by climate questions, will step down early

David Malpass’s decision to quit has delighted frustrated developing nations, donors, experts and campaigners. Fiona Harvey provides latest developments in an article on The Guardian website.   Why World Bank head’s resignation is good news for climate crisis fight The resignation of David Malpass, president of the World Bank, was greeted with relief and joy … Continue reading World Bank President, dogged by climate questions, will step down early

With blockchain-backed solar projects leading the way towards a greener future, many are looking to blockchain as a viable option for their investments

Blockchain has the potential to spur sustainable development through increased efficiency and reduced environmental impacts. Peter Bahorecz, chief networking officer at SunMoney Solar Group discusses the benefits of blockchain in an article on the Gulf Business website.   Top 5 benefits of investing in blockchain-based solar energy programmes Blockchain-based solar energy investments have the unique … Continue reading With blockchain-backed solar projects leading the way towards a greener future, many are looking to blockchain as a viable option for their investments

Italy is pushing back against EU directive aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings

As the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive slowly winds its way through the approval process from EU institutions, Crispian Balmer and Valentina Za write on the Reuters website that the new Italian government is throwing up some obstacles. How serious are they?   Italy gets cold feet over EU greener buildings plan … Continue reading Italy is pushing back against EU directive aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings