New EEA briefing on urban prosumption

Europe’s urban centres offer opportunities for citizens to produce renewable energy as prosumers according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week. Cities can play a key role in Europe’s shift to a low-carbon future. Facilitating urban prosumption can help accelerate this process. Cities can offer new opportunities for prosumers of renewable … Continue reading New EEA briefing on urban prosumption →

Twenty high risk countries threatening to halt debt payments

The countries want their collective $685 billion in debts forgiven so the money can be invested in climate projects. Lisa Friedman discusses latest developments in an article on The New York Times website. 20 Nations at High Risk From Global Warming Might Halt Debt Payments Twenty countries most vulnerable to climate change are considering … Continue reading Twenty high risk countries threatening to halt debt payments →

Who will claim Crimea’s GHG emissions?

Countries usually try to lower emissions, but both Kyiv and Moscow claim Crimea’s carbon impact as their own. Michael Birnbaum discusses this strange situation in an article on the Washington Post website. At war, Russia aims to claim Ukraine’s land — and its carbon emissions Countries usually try to lower their carbon emissions, not … Continue reading Who will claim Crimea’s GHG emissions? →

The transition to “smart cities”

Europe is making good progress in getting urban areas into the digital age. A survey in 10 EU member states found that 88% of cities have started their digital transformation and that 69% were planning to invest in tech solutions in the next three years. Molly Killeen discusses latest developments in an article on the … Continue reading The transition to “smart cities” →

Scaling up private and public investment is crucial in financing the zero-carbon transition

Ian Thomson, Director of the Centre for Responsible Business, University of Birmingham writes on The Conversation website about how investments can be directed to have the most decisive impacts. What are your views? Financing the transition to net-zero – here’s how the EU will advise investors where to put their money Ahead of next … Continue reading Scaling up private and public investment is crucial in financing the zero-carbon transition →

Germany concedes move to cap gas prices as EU wrestles with energy crisis

European Council President Charles Michel said EU leaders agreed to cooperate on energy after a long day of talks. However, a consensus was not reached on capping gas prices. A news item on the Deutsche Welle website presents latest developments. EU leaders agree to combat rising energy prices European Council President Charles Michel said early … Continue reading Germany concedes move to cap gas prices as EU wrestles with energy crisis →

Blog from Jane Marsh: Bringing Low-Cost Solar to Rural Communities

Many people believe that solar power is the future of energy production. However, implementing it is not always as straightforward as it may seem at first. More specifically, if people live in rural areas and can only afford low-cost solar installations, they typically have fewer overall options to consider. However, that’s starting to change, thanks … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: Bringing Low-Cost Solar to Rural Communities →

A group of 10 major economies are building momentum to scale-up climate finance by reforming development banks, starting with the World Bank

A group of 10 countries led by the US and Germany have presented the bank’s management with a plan to reform the institution this week. Chloé Farand discusses latest developments in an article on the Climate Change News website. US, Germany back ‘fundamental reform’ of World Bank to scale climate finance A group of … Continue reading A group of 10 major economies are building momentum to scale-up climate finance by reforming development banks, starting with the World Bank →

Reforms needed for multilateral development banks to provide more capital for sustainable development

Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) could make billions more in investment capital available for sustainable development. That is the astounding finding of a recent report, commissioned by the G20. Given that MDBs’ whole purpose is to maximise the impact of their funds, their donors are wondering why they have left money on the table. Donors and … Continue reading Reforms needed for multilateral development banks to provide more capital for sustainable development →

COP27 in November really is turning into a crucial meeting

Since COP26 in Glasgow last year, emissions have reached record levels after the pandemic downturn. And this year alone, we’ve seen dozens of catastrophic disasters ranging from drought in the Horn of Africa to floods in Pakistan, South Africa and Australia, and wildfires and heatwaves in Europe, the United States, Mongolia and South America, among … Continue reading COP27 in November really is turning into a crucial meeting →