This week with the Suez Canal blocked by a giant container ship (400 metres long), our thoughts turn to the sustainability of shipping. One element of shipping are the ports and Tony Robert Walker and Michelle Adams both of Dalhousie University in Canada write on The Conversation website about how ports can become more sustainable. … Continue reading Making shipping ports more sustainable
Category: GHG emissions
Guaranteeing that the future of steelmaking will be low-carbon requires action now
Our carbon neutral energy transition requires a lot of effort and imagination and there are many challenges in energy-intensive industries. Stephen Carr, Lecturer in Energy Physics, from the University of South Wales provides his views on how to eliminate emissions in steelmaking in an article on The Conversation website. Steel is vital to the … Continue reading Guaranteeing that the future of steelmaking will be low-carbon requires action now
Global heating pushes tropical regions towards limits of human liveability
A new study suggests that large swaths of the tropics will experience dangerous living and working conditions if global warming isn’t limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Henry Fountain discusses the study in an article on the New York Times website. Global Warming’s Deadly Combination: Heat and Humidity Here’s one more reason the world should … Continue reading Global heating pushes tropical regions towards limits of human liveability
Understanding carbon-free construction
Buildings and construction generate nearly 40% of global carbon emissions. As urbanisation skyrockets, the sector needs to find ways to rapidly decarbonise through net-zero building as required under the EU Energy Performance In Buildings Directive and to meet our long-term climate and energy objectives. Stuart Braun provides a good account to understanding carbon-free construction in … Continue reading Understanding carbon-free construction
Global action Is very far from what’s needed to avert climate chaos
New climate pledges submitted to the United Nations would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by less a fraction of what is needed, the UN announced. Fiona Harvey explains in an article on The Guardian website. CO2 emissions: nations' pledges 'far away' from Paris target, says UN The first assessment of countries’ pledges to cut their … Continue reading Global action Is very far from what’s needed to avert climate chaos
The pledges countries made to reduce emissions as part of the 2015 Paris agreement are woefully inadequate
The commitments to meet our 2015 Paris agreement are simply not enough, according to a new study published this week. The study found that even if countries were to meet their existing pledges, the world has only about a 5 percent chance to limit the Earth’s warming to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius over preindustrial … Continue reading The pledges countries made to reduce emissions as part of the 2015 Paris agreement are woefully inadequate
GM’s electric car goal blindsides rivals
Every carmaker is trying to figure out how to make the leap before governments force it and Tesla and other start-ups lure away drivers. Now Neal E. Boudette and Coral Davenport write on the New York Times about the news that GM is making the transition to electric vehicles and shaking up the car industry. … Continue reading GM’s electric car goal blindsides rivals
Britain’s energy transition: creating jobs requires effective policies to promote energy efficiency
The potential for jobs creation in energy efficiency is immense. But this will only be realised if it is matched by government enthusiasm behind effective policies. Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, discusses the situation in Britain in the January issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry. Jabs and jobs go … Continue reading Britain’s energy transition: creating jobs requires effective policies to promote energy efficiency
Methane is leaking out of the more than 4 million abandoned oil and gas wells in the United States and Canada
While we are appreciating the harm coming from methane emissions, it is of concern that the US and Canada are underestimating the methane coming from abandoned oil and gas wells. Nichola Groom discusses in an article on the Reuters website. U.S. and Canada underestimating climate risk from abandoned oil and gas wells Methane leaking … Continue reading Methane is leaking out of the more than 4 million abandoned oil and gas wells in the United States and Canada
Is the train era in Europe starting a new carbon neutral chapter?
A joint report from environmental organisations in Germany, Poland, Spain and France, and financed by the German environment ministry, says direct connections between capitals such as Paris and Berlin could make a major contribution to reducing carbon emissions. The study notes that a flight from Paris to Berlin causes at least six times the CO2 … Continue reading Is the train era in Europe starting a new carbon neutral chapter?
