The challenges to reduce independence on Russian gas while ensuring Europe’s clean energy transition meets the long -erm climate and energy objectives

The recipe for independence from Russian gas is the acceleration of the clean energy transition; its success depends on the use of the right ingredients, write Megan Anderson, Bram Claeys and Jan Rosenow in an article on the EURACTIV website. Is REPowerEU the right energy policy recipe to move away from Russian gas? With … Continue reading The challenges to reduce independence on Russian gas while ensuring Europe’s clean energy transition meets the long -erm climate and energy objectives →

New EEA report on the pollutants causing over 10% of all cancer cases in Europe

Exposure to air pollution, second-hand smoke, radon, ultraviolet radiation, asbestos, certain chemicals and other pollutants causes over 10% of all cancer cases in Europe, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report published this week. The good news is that these risks are preventable. Exposure to pollution causes 10% of all cancer cases in … Continue reading New EEA report on the pollutants causing over 10% of all cancer cases in Europe →

Modernisation of Energy Charter Treaty seen as “a real threat” to the landmark Paris climate agreement

The members of the Energy Charter Treaty on Friday struck a deal to “modernise” the energy charter treaty. The 1994 agreement allows investors to sue governments for changes in energy policy that harm their profits. The compromise agreement, which was largely designed by the EU, reduces the protection afforded to companies that have invested in … Continue reading Modernisation of Energy Charter Treaty seen as “a real threat” to the landmark Paris climate agreement →

Recent research shows that the backfire strategies of the economic elites has had an impact over the past 50 years, leaving our environment in a perilous state

The reduction of the weight of fossil fuels and their harmful effects on the climate has been on the international political agenda since 1972, underlines historian Christophe Bonneuil, in an op-ed in 'Le Monde.' 'What has happened in the last 50 years that, despite hundreds of summits, conferences, treaties and conventions, global disruption continues … Continue reading Recent research shows that the backfire strategies of the economic elites has had an impact over the past 50 years, leaving our environment in a perilous state →

Clean energy funding to surge 12% in 2022, remains insufficient

Global energy investment is set to increase by 8% this year, the energy forum has estimated. Dimitris Mavrokefalidis discusses the IEA report on the Energy Live News website. The report is available here. IEA: “Capital spending is insufficient to tackle the energy and climate crises” The current level of global capital spending is still … Continue reading Clean energy funding to surge 12% in 2022, remains insufficient →

The UN sustainable development goals have infiltrated the things people say, think and write about global sustainability challenges but nothing has changed where it matters

Sixty-two academics analysed more than 3,000 academic studies that scrutinised aspects of the SDGs. Unfortunately, their findings were “disheartening”. One of the authors, Frank Biermann, Professor of Global Sustainability Governance at Utrecht University discusses their findings in an article on The Conversation website. UN sustainable development goals failing to have meaningful impact, our research … Continue reading The UN sustainable development goals have infiltrated the things people say, think and write about global sustainability challenges but nothing has changed where it matters →

The world’s most climate vulnerable countries want rich, high-emission nations to pay for climate damages

The UN climate change conference now underway in Bonn, Germany has been a war of words in terms of who pays for climate disasters. This follows similar concerns raised at COP26 in Glasgow last year. Stuart Braun discusses latest developments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Climate vulnerable nations demand compensation for … Continue reading The world’s most climate vulnerable countries want rich, high-emission nations to pay for climate damages →

New EIB report on investors’ views on how the public sector can help to address the risks and challenges of the move towards a more hydrogen-fuelled economy

Robin Whitlock writes on the Renewable Energy Magazine website about a new report from the European Investment Bank that provides key insights into the main drivers behind the European hydrogen market and how the EIB should address them. New report finds that the international investment community recognises both the opportunity for hydrogen deployment and … Continue reading New EIB report on investors’ views on how the public sector can help to address the risks and challenges of the move towards a more hydrogen-fuelled economy →

EEA published latest GHG inventory showing substantial reductions in 2020

The European Union continued to record substantial greenhouse gas emissions reductions in 2020, posting an 11% drop compared to 2019, according to the latest official data published this week by the European Environment Agency. The data confirms a 30-year downward trend which led to the EU achieving its 2020 target to reduce emissions by 20% … Continue reading EEA published latest GHG inventory showing substantial reductions in 2020 →

New EEA report on impact of land use changes on Europe’s urban areas

Land take and the sealing of soil with asphalt, concrete or buildings increased in Europe’s urban areas from 2012 to 2018, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment, published recently. Increasing land take and soil sealing make Europe’s ecosystems less resilient, with negative impacts on biodiversity and weaker potential for climate change adaptation. … Continue reading New EEA report on impact of land use changes on Europe’s urban areas →