Energy in Demand News, July 26-27, 2026

As this week’s Energy in Demand was being prepared, more than 280,000 people had been ordered to flee or lock down as huge wildfires swept Spain and France, prompting Madrid to declare a national emergency and the French authorities to order the total evacuation, by land and sea, of one of the country’s best-known holiday … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 26-27, 2026 →

New EEB report on accelerating decarbonisation of Europe’s cement sector

This report from the European Environmental Bureau, Cement It Better: Unlocking Low-Carbon Concrete in Europe, argues that Europe already has many of the technologies needed to dramatically reduce emissions from cement and concrete production, but that outdated regulations and market barriers are preventing their widespread adoption. It highlights the potential of clinker substitution, low-carbon binders, … Continue reading New EEB report on accelerating decarbonisation of Europe’s cement sector →

China’s EV gamble has paid off

In an article on The Conversation website, Timothy Minchin, Professor of History, La Trobe University and Michelle Shu Wun Kuek, Doctoral student in History, La Trobe University write about China's long-term industrial strategy paying off, while Western and Japanese automakers struggle to adapt to the electric vehicle transition. It is as much about industrial policy … Continue reading China’s EV gamble has paid off →

Bridging Europe’s electrification gap

Ron Bousso writes on the Reuter’s website that Europe knows where it wants to go, but faces a perilous decade in which high energy costs could permanently damage industrial competitiveness before the benefits of electrification are realised. Europe’s electrification dream won’t spare a painful decade Europe faces a looming "death valley" of high energy … Continue reading Bridging Europe’s electrification gap →

Energy in Demand News, July 19-20, 2026

The EU has big plans to electrify. It has set its first-ever electrification target: 46% by 2040. Electrification has hovered just under 24% for more than a decade. Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen told reporters in Brussels on Friday: “With this plan, we are putting Europe on a course to become the world’s first electro-continent.” Check … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 19-20, 2026 →

New ACEEE study: cutting energy waste in the United States could save $4.8 trillion, equal to $31,000 per household

Improving energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industry in the United States could save about $4.8 trillion in energy and related costs in the next decades—equivalent to almost $31,000 per household—a new report finds. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) study points to a key opportunity for policymakers as families face challenging home energy bills … Continue reading New ACEEE study: cutting energy waste in the United States could save $4.8 trillion, equal to $31,000 per household →

Rotterdam’s net zero dilemma

Anna Holligan writes on the BBC News website the central dilemma facing not only Rotterdam but all industrial ports worldwide: industrial ports worldwide: how to decarbonise economies built on fossil fuels without undermining their competitiveness. The debate is not simply about reducing emissions, but about reconciling climate ambitions with the economic realities of Europe's largest … Continue reading Rotterdam’s net zero dilemma →

European Commission boosts Europe’s competitiveness, decarbonisation and independence with Electrification Action Plan and ETS review

On July 17th the Commission presented an Electrification Action Plan to make Europe the first electro-powered continent, and a stronger carbon market to support EU's industry in the clean transition and electrification. Europe's reliance on imported fossil fuels has repeatedly exposed it to geopolitical shocks. These have driven up energy prices for both households and companies, and dragged down our competitiveness. While … Continue reading European Commission boosts Europe’s competitiveness, decarbonisation and independence with Electrification Action Plan and ETS review →

Energy in Demand News, June 28-29, 2026

The Financial Times reports that Elon Musk’s SpaceX “was awarded the lowest possible environmental, social and governance rating by index provider MSCI [Morgan Stanley Capital International] ahead of the company’s record $75bn public float this month. The triple C assessment means SpaceX has the same score as that awarded to the Russian state on MSCI’s … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 28-29, 2026 →

China’s new five-year plan accelerates the energy transition

Anika Patel writes on the Carbon Brief website about China's new five-year energy strategy, which strengthens its commitment to renewable energy while retaining coal as a backup, introduces mandatory clean energy consumption targets, and reinforces its position in global clean-energy competition. China Briefing 25 June 2026: Five-year plans passed | Critical-mineral tensions | Industrial … Continue reading China’s new five-year plan accelerates the energy transition →