UK takes different approach to Europeans to addressing the current energy crisis

While the UK government on Friday announced an additional £1bn for energy efficiency obligations under new legislation, to begin from April 2023, undoubtedly the main focus of the new government is to increase energy supplies (yes, with a cap on consumer prices), largely of fossil fuels including fracking. The energy crisis is currently with us … Continue reading UK takes different approach to Europeans to addressing the current energy crisis →

A dozen environmental NGOs on Monday launched a legal challenge to the EU’s decision to label gas and nuclear investments as green

It was definitely controversial for gas and nuclear to be considered green in the EU’s new taxonomy regulation. A dozen European NGOs are concerned enough that they have launched a legal challenge. Alice Tidey discusses the challenge in an article on the Euronews website. Taxonomy: 12 NGOs launch legal challenge against EU's bid to … Continue reading A dozen environmental NGOs on Monday launched a legal challenge to the EU’s decision to label gas and nuclear investments as green →

WEF podcast transcript on carbon offsets

As we wonder about the impact of carbon offsets, the World Economic Forum provides a podcast that should give us a wider view of their benefits. Robin Pomeroy, Podcast Editor at the WEF, discusses carbon offsets with Rachel Kyte, co-chair of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative and with Dharsono Hartono, UpLink Top Innovator, and … Continue reading WEF podcast transcript on carbon offsets →

New UK government accused of failing to recognise the savings that could flow from making the nation more energy efficient

The new UK government under Prime Minister Liz Truss has stated that it will cap consumer energy prices but it will also undertake many efforts to increase energy supply, primarily from fossil fuels and nuclear. Alistair Osborne writes on The Times website that Jonathan Maxwell, founder and chief executive of Sustainable Development Capital, believes the … Continue reading New UK government accused of failing to recognise the savings that could flow from making the nation more energy efficient →

Blog from Jane Marsh: The first half of 2022 marked by renewables generating over 25% of electricity in the US

A shift toward renewable power is more evident than ever amid calls to reduce energy consumption and bolster energy security in the United States. According to recorded data by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), energy from sun, wind and heat resources enabled a 25% increase in electricity generation in 2022 — a feat the U.S. … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: The first half of 2022 marked by renewables generating over 25% of electricity in the US →

While keeping the global average temperate rise below 1.5C may not be achieved, “we need to knuckle down as much as we can to prevent every 0.1C rise”

In an article on The Guardian website, Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at UCL, argues that the goal of 1.5C by 2030 is arbitrary and now unachievable – yet working to prevent every 0.1C rise can still give us hope. What do you think? Why we should forget about the … Continue reading While keeping the global average temperate rise below 1.5C may not be achieved, “we need to knuckle down as much as we can to prevent every 0.1C rise” →

Decarbonising the energy system by 2050 could save trillions

For decades, scientists have called for a transition to clean energy to prevent the worst impacts of climate change but fears that such a transition would be costly and harm the economy have held back progress. However, a study from the Oxford Martin Programme on the Post-Carbon Transition published this week shows the reverse: an … Continue reading Decarbonising the energy system by 2050 could save trillions →

The city of Copenhagen, often celebrated as one of the world’s greenest for its cycling culture and other initiatives, recently defaulted on its pledge to become carbon-neutral by 2025

Since 2012, when Copenhagen launched its plan to become the first carbon-neutral city in the world by 2025, the city has enjoyed international recognition and a significant branding boost. The early failure in the global race to net zero emissions (a balance between CO₂ emitted and absorbed) may foreshadow backtracking by other target-setters. In an … Continue reading The city of Copenhagen, often celebrated as one of the world’s greenest for its cycling culture and other initiatives, recently defaulted on its pledge to become carbon-neutral by 2025 →

New EEA report on need to ensure soils are no longer a net source of GHG emissions in Europe

Soils can both remove carbon from the atmosphere or emit greenhouse gas emissions. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published recently, European soils are currently a net source of greenhouse gas emissions and, if not addressed, this could pose a risk to the EU climate targets. Mitigation actions can reduce the loss of … Continue reading New EEA report on need to ensure soils are no longer a net source of GHG emissions in Europe →

New study shows benefits of construction using timber rather than concrete and steel

No doubt globally we need new construction. A new study from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research shows the benefits of timber construction. Environmentalists, however, say replacing natural forests with wood plantations to realise shift in construction practices is ‘bonkers’ In an article on The Guardian website, Arthur Neslen discusses the study and the … Continue reading New study shows benefits of construction using timber rather than concrete and steel →