The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 created a temporary crisis of confidence in the future of cities. However, a broad consensus is that urbanization remains a powerful twenty-first century mega-trend; and that well-planned towns and cities remain central to the sustainable development trajectory. There is a sense of optimism that the crisis may … Continue reading New report from UN Habitat – World Cities Report 2022: Envisaging the Future of Cities
Category: international organisations
Although the gap with fossil fuel power generation continues to widen due to oil and gas prices rising even faster, challenges across the renewables supply chain are becoming increasingly worrying
So far, the narrative has focused on cheap renewables to counter fossil fuels but without well-functioning and diversified supply chains to ensure energy security, the energy transition is at risk. Francesco Luise discusses in an article on the impakter website. For a Successful Energy Transition: Keeping Cost of Renewables Low Is Not Enough Adding … Continue reading Although the gap with fossil fuel power generation continues to widen due to oil and gas prices rising even faster, challenges across the renewables supply chain are becoming increasingly worrying
New IISD report on how Glasgow Statement signatories can meet their commitment to shift international public finance out of fossil fuels and into clean energy by the end of 2022
The International Institute for Sustainable Development has recently published Turning Pledges Into Action. Glasgow Statement signatories made a commitment to end new international public finance for fossil fuels by the end of 2022 and fully shift their focus toward financing clean energy. Now, it's time to turn those pledges into action. This report analyses the … Continue reading New IISD report on how Glasgow Statement signatories can meet their commitment to shift international public finance out of fossil fuels and into clean energy by the end of 2022
European Commission urges member states to slash gas use by 15% to counter ‘Russian blackmail’
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, thinks that a total cut-off of Gazprom shipments to the EU-27 is 'probable.' To counter this, Brussels has come up with a plan based on voluntary action, asking each of its member countries to curb their consumption. Virginie Malingre discusses the announcement in an article on … Continue reading European Commission urges member states to slash gas use by 15% to counter ‘Russian blackmail’
New EEA reports on which European cities have the best air quality
The cleanest cities in Europe in terms of air quality during 2020 and 2021 were Umeå in Sweden, and Faro and Funchal in Portugal according to the updated European city air quality data viewer published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) recently. In addition to the viewer, the EEA also published two reports looking at … Continue reading New EEA reports on which European cities have the best air quality
New EEA report on sewage treatment plants role in helping Europe meet its zero-pollution targets
Sewage treatment can play a key role in Europe’s shift to a zero-pollution future by becoming more resource efficient and contributing to the circular economy, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report published recently. Making Europe’s sewage treatment plants more efficient and circular can help meet zero-pollution targets Most of Europe’s urban waste … Continue reading New EEA report on sewage treatment plants role in helping Europe meet its zero-pollution targets
New EEA briefing looks at inequalities arising from climate change effects and how to address them through equitable climate change adaptation
Climate change affects all Europeans but vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, children, low-income groups and people with health problems or disabilities, are the most affected. One in ten European schools and hospitals may also be at flood risk and about half of those facilities in cities are within intense urban heat islands. A European … Continue reading New EEA briefing looks at inequalities arising from climate change effects and how to address them through equitable climate change adaptation
New report from EIB on what drives firms’ investment in climate change
The European Investment Bank has recently published its most recent EIB investment survey. From extreme heatwaves and wildfires to in North America to the deadly flooding in Western Europe and Asia in 2021, the dramatic rise in catastrophic weather events has repercussions for firms. At the same time, cutting emissions sufficiently to limit global warming … Continue reading New report from EIB on what drives firms’ investment in climate change
How important is it to keep the Energy Charter Treaty?
In an article on The Conversation website, Chamu Kuppuswamy, Senior Lecturer, School of Law, at the University of Hertfordshire argues that, while withdrawing from the energy charter treaty is possible for any country to do, losing the benefits of membership – such as fewer duties and taxes on imports of oil and gas – will … Continue reading How important is it to keep the Energy Charter Treaty?
New JRC report – Empowering vulnerable consumers in the energy transition
A new JRC paper examines ways to empower the energy poor and vulnerable consumers as active informed citizens and actors in the energy system, looking at exemplary practices from around Europe. Promising initiatives include energy advisors, trusted intermediaries, locally embedded innovative business models (like one-stop shops), trainings of energy actors, energy ombudsmen, energy cafés and … Continue reading New JRC report – Empowering vulnerable consumers in the energy transition
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 