New EEA briefing assesses the costs and benefits of climate change adaptation

A better understanding of the costs and benefits of adaptation measures to counter climate change is needed according to a recent European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing which assesses the main methods, challenges and constraints in taking action. Improvements needed in assessing costs, benefits of climate change adaptation There is an urgent need to speed … Continue reading New EEA briefing assesses the costs and benefits of climate change adaptation →

Global energy-related CO2 emissions edged up to record high in 2022 – IEA

Despite the rise, emissions were still below pre-pandemic levels. The IEA said global energy-related emissions were offset by the use of wind and solar energy, as well as electric vehicles. A news item on the Deutsche Welle website discusses the recent IEA report. CO2 emissions reached record high in 2022, says IEA Energy-related emissions … Continue reading Global energy-related CO2 emissions edged up to record high in 2022 – IEA →

New EEA briefing on how to handle discarded textiles in Europe

Discarded textiles in Europe, including used clothing and footwear, are an increasing waste and export problem. Rapidly increasing EU exports of used textiles — some of which is reused and some of which ends up in landfills — show that Europe faces a challenge in how to handle its own used textiles, according to a … Continue reading New EEA briefing on how to handle discarded textiles in Europe →

The growing importance of the EU Emissions Trading System

Derided for a decade for its ineffectiveness, this European emissions trading mechanism is now taking on a new significance writes Philippe Escande in an article on Le Monde website. Climate: 'The EU emissions trading system is now proving relevant' It can take a lot of patience, experimentation and tenacity to see a good idea … Continue reading The growing importance of the EU Emissions Trading System →

New EEA briefing on urgency to decarbonise heating

About half of the EU’s final energy consumption goes to heating, making it a key focus area in Europe’s efforts to improve energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, analyses this energy segment, urging investment in building renovations and modern renewable energy solutions. Renovations and … Continue reading New EEA briefing on urgency to decarbonise heating →

European Commission sets out rules for renewable hydrogen

On February 13th, the European Commission proposed detailed rules to define what constitutes renewable hydrogen in the EU, with the adoption of two Delegated Acts required under the Renewable Energy Directive. These Acts are part of a broad EU regulatory framework for hydrogen which includes energy infrastructure investments and state aid rules, and legislative targets … Continue reading European Commission sets out rules for renewable hydrogen →

World Bank President, dogged by climate questions, will step down early

David Malpass’s decision to quit has delighted frustrated developing nations, donors, experts and campaigners. Fiona Harvey provides latest developments in an article on The Guardian website. Why World Bank head’s resignation is good news for climate crisis fight The resignation of David Malpass, president of the World Bank, was greeted with relief and joy … Continue reading World Bank President, dogged by climate questions, will step down early →

Italy is pushing back against EU directive aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings

As the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive slowly winds its way through the approval process from EU institutions, Crispian Balmer and Valentina Za write on the Reuters website that the new Italian government is throwing up some obstacles. How serious are they? Italy gets cold feet over EU greener buildings plan … Continue reading Italy is pushing back against EU directive aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings →

The European Commission has told member countries that a joint EU exit from the controversial Energy Charter Treaty appears inevitable

A news item on the EURACTIV website says that it is now inevitable that the EU will leave the Energy Charter Treaty. The last related post on EiD was only two weeks ago. Climate Home News writes that the United Kingdom’s government said it is “closely monitoring the situation”. The Swiss energy ministry’s Jean-Christophe Fueeg … Continue reading The European Commission has told member countries that a joint EU exit from the controversial Energy Charter Treaty appears inevitable →

Academia is vital if we are to train people with the right skills required for sustainable industry

Hussam Jouhara, a mechanical and aerospace engineering professor at Brunel University in the UK discusses an EU Horizon 2020 research project iWAYS in an article on the university world news website. Academia and industry: alliances for future sustainability The European Union has set high targets for making our environment cleaner, and this means not … Continue reading Academia is vital if we are to train people with the right skills required for sustainable industry →