Calling for greater energy efficiency to reduce EU dependence on Russian fossil fuels

Initiatives to improve energy efficiency can reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels. They can also help increase the union’s influence in the global south. Mats Engstrom discusses the issues in an article on the European Council on Foreign Relations website.   Efficient influence: Energy initiatives for a geopolitical Europe Russia’s brutal war on … Continue reading Calling for greater energy efficiency to reduce EU dependence on Russian fossil fuels

Ranking the 12 most effective measures that European cities have introduced in recent decade

Kimberly Nicholas, Associate Professor of Sustainability Science at Lund University, in an article on The Conversation website, provides the results of latest research to provide evidence-based ways to reduce car use in cities.   12 best ways to get cars out of cities – ranked by new research Question: what do the following statistics have … Continue reading Ranking the 12 most effective measures that European cities have introduced in recent decade

Building materials have a heavy carbon footprint and present a concrete challenge to the climate

We need to rethink the way we construct our buildings in order to reduce embodied carbon. The strategies to reduce embodied carbon already exist – from building smarter to decarbonising building materials. To shine a light on these solutions, the Programme for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB) recently published a working paper presenting key facts … Continue reading Building materials have a heavy carbon footprint and present a concrete challenge to the climate

Johnson Controls publishes its latest annual energy efficiency indicator survey

This week Johnson Controls released its latest survey which revealed that 62 percent of organisations surveyed expect to increase investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, or smart building technology in 2022, indicating a return to pre-pandemic levels.     Johnson Controls Annual Energy Efficiency Indicator Survey Reveals Investments in Sustainability have Rebounded to Pre-Pandemic Levels, … Continue reading Johnson Controls publishes its latest annual energy efficiency indicator survey

Because “British people are no-nonsense pragmatists who can make decisions based on the information” the government will not “impose” measures to improve energy efficiency

The UK has some of the least energy-efficient homes in Europe, with 19 million houses and flats needing extra insulation. In February the national Climate Change Committee said the government’s policy on insulation was ‘very poor’ and a lot more needed to be done. However, the government, with its new Energy Security Strategy, will not … Continue reading Because “British people are no-nonsense pragmatists who can make decisions based on the information” the government will not “impose” measures to improve energy efficiency

The dream of the climate-neutral city, with very low to zero emissions, is within reach, say experts

Spewing most of the world's heat-trapping gases, fast-growing cities need to be transformed into clean, low emissions ecosystems in the struggle against climate breakdown. Stuart Braun writes on the Deutsche Welle website how cities can be a microcosm of successful climate mitigation.   Cities are major polluters: Can we make them climate neutral? Around 85% … Continue reading The dream of the climate-neutral city, with very low to zero emissions, is within reach, say experts

Hydrogen is one piece of a much larger puzzle to get vehicles off fossil fuels

Jane Marsh writes on the Renewable Energy Magazine website about the potential for hydrogen for vehicles. She writes that engineers have been touting the benefits of hydrogen fuel cells in vehicles for years. She then asks why this technology hasn’t gained much momentum and whether hydrogen could take over the automotive industry. What are your … Continue reading Hydrogen is one piece of a much larger puzzle to get vehicles off fossil fuels

Irish government defends plans to promote energy efficiency in response to spiralling cost of living pressures

In contrast to the measures announced by the UK government this week, the Irish prime minister (known as the Taoiseach) defended plans to promote energy efficiency and demand restraint including taking shorter showers and driving less, as part of an overall response to spiralling cost of living pressures. Mark Hilliard and Vivienne Clarke discuss latest … Continue reading Irish government defends plans to promote energy efficiency in response to spiralling cost of living pressures

The oligarchs’ superyachts: understanding their outsized impact on the climate

Russian oligarch owners have put superyachts in the spotlight since the invasion of Ukraine. But what makes these billionaires' toys the ultimate climate killers? Stuart Braun writes on the Deutsche Welle website what he has found out about the carbon footprints of these billionaires and finds out that an astounding two-thirds of these super-rich emissions are created by … Continue reading The oligarchs’ superyachts: understanding their outsized impact on the climate

Addressing how to achieve ‘net-zero’

A new report by Nick Eyre and Jan Rosenow reiterates that energy and carbon are different problems requiring different solutions. Lloyd Alter writes on the Treehugger website what their report means as we address ‘net-zero.’   Reinventing Energy Efficiency in a Net-Zero World For nigh on 50 years since the Arab oil embargo, energy security … Continue reading Addressing how to achieve ‘net-zero’