Energy in Demand News, August 10-11, 2025

GHG emissions are “going through the roof” because of AI, according to an article on the New York Times website that explains how Big Tech’s net-zero goals are looking shaky. “Google’s greenhouse gas emissions rose by 11 percent in 2024 from the year before. Amazon’s were up by 6 percent. Microsoft’s fell slightly but remained … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, August 10-11, 2025 →

With the US leaving the global stage in addressing climate change, there are signs that a new set of leaders is rising to the occasion

In an article on The Conversation website, Shannon Gibson, Professor of Environmental Studies, Political Science and International Relations, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences writes about who will step into the leadership vacuum now that the US has walked away again. US government may be abandoning the global climate fight, but new … Continue reading With the US leaving the global stage in addressing climate change, there are signs that a new set of leaders is rising to the occasion →

The Science Based Targets initiative says that, to be 1.5C-aligned, financial institutions must stop funding firms that are expanding fossil fuel production and use

This week, the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) launched a net zero standard for banks, asset managers and insurance companies, which requires them to end financing for firms that are expanding coal projects immediately and for those expanding oil and gas projects by 2030. In an article on the Climate Home News website, Joe Lo … Continue reading The Science Based Targets initiative says that, to be 1.5C-aligned, financial institutions must stop funding firms that are expanding fossil fuel production and use →

New EEA report on Europe’s land carbon sinks

Europe’s forests and land are absorbing less carbon than expected, putting the 2030 target for the sector at risk. But with the right policies and measures, the land use and forestry sector could still play a crucial role in climate mitigation, with significant co-benefits for people and nature, according to a new European Environment Agency … Continue reading New EEA report on Europe’s land carbon sinks →

Canada had some good words to say at COP29 but its actions don’t back them up

Bruce Campbell writes on the Policy Alternatives about Canada at the Baku summit. While it takes a positive attitude to the COP process, it has to be admitted that Canada is the world’s the fourth largest oil producing country and sixth largest producer of natural gas. It also had many lobbyists there representing the tar … Continue reading Canada had some good words to say at COP29 but its actions don’t back them up →

Reflecting on Baku

Fiona Harvey, environmental editor of the Guardian, discusses some of the major issues that arose at COP29 in Baku. Fiona should know. She has attended 18 of the COPs. As she said, the Baku COP29 talks were marked by division and self-interest, with rancorous meddling right until the end. If you attended, what are your … Continue reading Reflecting on Baku →

Blog by Steve Thorne: The Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM) – what has been learned so far… and where is it heading?

The first-ever United Nations global stock take warned that the world is significantly off track in meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement in reaching a maximum of 1.5oC warming by 2050. We need every tool available working at full speed to reduce emissions and secure a liveable future for the planet. A high-integrity voluntary carbon market … Continue reading Blog by Steve Thorne: The Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM) – what has been learned so far… and where is it heading? →

Global standards play key role in addressing climate change

In an article on The Conversation website, Graeme Auld, Professor, Public Policy, Carleton University and Stefan Renckens, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Toronto discuss the important role that standards play overall but particularly, in this case, related to climate change. What are your views? How a small update in global standards can … Continue reading Global standards play key role in addressing climate change →

New EEA assessments on key air pollutant emissions

Key air pollutant emissions targeted for reductions and monitored under EU legislation continued to decline across most EU Member States according to the latest data assessment published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) this week. However, reducing ammonia emissions remains a problem. Key air pollutant emissions decline across the EU, reducing ammonia biggest challenge … Continue reading New EEA assessments on key air pollutant emissions →

Energy in Demand News, June 16, 2024

No one said the zero-carbon energy transition would be easy. The world faces a “staggering” surplus of oil equating to millions of barrels a day by the end of the decade, according to the IEA. Growth in the world’s demand for oil is expected to slow in the coming years as energy transitions advance. At … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 16, 2024 →