Only by investigating how energy, gender and space intersect can we truly begin to move towards creating sustainable societies

Rihab Khalid, Research Fellow in Sustainable Energy Consumption at the University of Cambridge writes on The Conversation website that energy policies that try to be gender neutral usually leave women’s energy needs marginalised and there is a need to think about how women use energy and space.   If we want to build truly sustainable … Continue reading Only by investigating how energy, gender and space intersect can we truly begin to move towards creating sustainable societies

New EEA report on sewage treatment plants role in helping Europe meet its zero-pollution targets

Sewage treatment can play a key role in Europe’s shift to a zero-pollution future by becoming more resource efficient and contributing to the circular economy, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report published recently.   Making Europe’s sewage treatment plants more efficient and circular can help meet zero-pollution targets Most of Europe’s urban waste … Continue reading New EEA report on sewage treatment plants role in helping Europe meet its zero-pollution targets

New report from EIB on what drives firms’ investment in climate change

The European Investment Bank has recently published its most recent EIB investment survey. From extreme heatwaves and wildfires to in North America to the deadly flooding in Western Europe and Asia in 2021, the dramatic rise in catastrophic weather events has repercussions for firms. At the same time, cutting emissions sufficiently to limit global warming … Continue reading New report from EIB on what drives firms’ investment in climate change

“No matter how many supply-side resources we pour into the mix, the perfect blend will elude us until we stop treating demand-side flexibility as a final flourish of glitter”

With REPowerEU underway, Europe’s energy and climate strategy demands a rapid change of scenery. We must utilise the full palette of solutions available, including household flexibility, says Sophie Yule-Bennett from the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) in an article on the FORESIGHT Climate & Energy website.   House power: the hidden powerhouse of the new energy … Continue reading “No matter how many supply-side resources we pour into the mix, the perfect blend will elude us until we stop treating demand-side flexibility as a final flourish of glitter”

New EEA briefing on how circular economy principles can enhance the benefits of building renovation

Building renovation is a key contributor to improving energy efficiency and to achieving a climate neutral European Union (EU) by 2050. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, investigates how circular economy principles can enhance the benefits of building renovation. It finds that, through 2050, circularity can significantly reduce the use of materials … Continue reading New EEA briefing on how circular economy principles can enhance the benefits of building renovation

The options in Germany’s accelerated energy transitions

Without Russian natural gas, Germany will be facing an energy crisis. In an article on the Deutsche Welle website, Jeannette Cwienk discusses what the most realistic and climate-friendly options are.   How can Germany realistically replace gas? As Germany scrambles to find a way to lower its reliance on Russian natural gas, the country has announced  a … Continue reading The options in Germany’s accelerated energy transitions

During our current energy crisis, there are concerns that if sufficiency is not accepted, then rationing will be the inevitable solution

In an editorial on the Le Monde website, three leaders of energy companies called for reducing energy consumption. But the French government has been too slow in its efforts to encourage people to truly change their behaviour.   The need for public leadership on energy sufficiency It is quite rare for companies to encourage their … Continue reading During our current energy crisis, there are concerns that if sufficiency is not accepted, then rationing will be the inevitable solution

While spending on renewables is going up globally, the increase is due to rising prices rather than investments in new clean energy capacity

The International Energy Agency projects that spending on renewables in 2022 will exceed the record $440 billion invested last year. Despite the accelerated spending on green technologies, the world still is not on track to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, IEA said. Benjamin Storrow from E&E News discusses latest developments in an article on the … Continue reading While spending on renewables is going up globally, the increase is due to rising prices rather than investments in new clean energy capacity

The UK is in a strong position to lead efforts on developing an international carbon border adjustment mechanism

A ‘carbon border adjustment mechanism’ on imported goods from polluting factories overseas could help to address the thorny issue of carbon leakage, argues Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation in the June issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry.   It’s not a tax, it’s just an adjustment mechanism Cheap imports of … Continue reading The UK is in a strong position to lead efforts on developing an international carbon border adjustment mechanism

The challenges to reduce independence on Russian gas while ensuring Europe’s clean energy transition meets the long -erm climate and energy objectives

The recipe for independence from Russian gas is the acceleration of the clean energy transition; its success depends on the use of the right ingredients, write Megan Anderson, Bram Claeys and Jan Rosenow in an article on the EURACTIV website.   Is REPowerEU the right energy policy recipe to move away from Russian gas? With … Continue reading The challenges to reduce independence on Russian gas while ensuring Europe’s clean energy transition meets the long -erm climate and energy objectives