New EEA briefing on data of key air pollutants in Europe

Concentrations of key air pollutants remain too high in most European countries. According to the European Environment Agency’s official data, published this week, most European Union (EU) Member States exceed at least one or more of the EU’s legal limits for pollutants in ambient air in 2019. Air pollution still too high in most … Continue reading New EEA briefing on data of key air pollutants in Europe →

New EEA briefing on the importance of innovation for sustainability

Innovation is a political priority across Europe that can deliver many benefits for society but also generate costs that are often unaccounted for. A European Environment Agency briefing, published this week, looks at how innovation can respond to sustainability challenges and how Europe needs to look for solutions beyond technological innovation. Innovating for sustainability … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the importance of innovation for sustainability →

UNECE helps Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and the Republic of Moldova scale up cost-effective climate action by improving buildings’ energy efficiency

Improving energy efficiency is a cost-effective means to support economic development while contributing to climate action. On a national scale, energy efficiency helps strengthen energy security, reduce energy expenditure, slow down energy demand growth, reduce investment needs for new generation capacities, and creates green jobs. Out of all sectors of economic activity, in many countries, the buildings sector has the largest potential for cost-effective improvement in energy efficiency and emissions reductions. To help capitalise … Continue reading UNECE helps Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and the Republic of Moldova scale up cost-effective climate action by improving buildings’ energy efficiency →

Industry and Europe’s “Fit for 55” package

In July the European Commission adopted a package of proposals – called the Fit for 55 package – to make the EU’s climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. As the Commission states, achieving these emission reductions in … Continue reading Industry and Europe’s “Fit for 55” package →

New EEA report on benefits from climate-friendly practices for sourcing raw materials

Climate-friendly practices for sourcing raw materials hold significant potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions in Europe and globally. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report, published this week, focusing on raw material extraction and processing, raw material consumers can use their purchasing power to influence suppliers to become more climate friendly. Including sourcing requirements … Continue reading New EEA report on benefits from climate-friendly practices for sourcing raw materials →

New IRENA report shows benefits of solar water heaters

Solar water heaters are not a new technology but with declining costs of renewable energy, solar has become especially attractive for water heating. An article on the IRENA website analyses the full range of benefits in developing domestic solar water heating industries. How Solar Water Heaters Industry Benefits the Local Economy Heating and cooling … Continue reading New IRENA report shows benefits of solar water heaters →

New EEA briefing on applying circular economy principles in the renewable energy sector to address waste and resource challenges

A rapid transition to renewable energy is necessary if Europe is to achieve its climate objectives. Developing the infrastructure to enable this change will require substantial resources and generate large volumes of waste as equipment reaches the end of its service life. Applying circular economy principles in this sector provides a win-win approach to address … Continue reading New EEA briefing on applying circular economy principles in the renewable energy sector to address waste and resource challenges →

New UNEP FI report examines how real estate markets respond to physical impacts of climate risk

A new report investigating the extent that real estate markets are pricing in risk from the physical impacts of climate change has been published this week. In line with increasing investor and regulator requests for forward-looking analyses of assets and portfolios, the authors sought to better understand the variables that can feed into financial modelling … Continue reading New UNEP FI report examines how real estate markets respond to physical impacts of climate risk →

West Africa needs infrastructure and expertise to exploit hydropower capacity to ensure electricity efficiency

Innocent Odoh writes on the Leadership website about efforts to put its energy system on a more sustainable footing. ECOWAS Quest For Energy Efficiency Amid Challenges West Africa has large energy resources, which accounts for about one-third of African gas and oil reserves and over 23,000 Megawatt (MW) of technically exploitable hydropower capacity according … Continue reading West Africa needs infrastructure and expertise to exploit hydropower capacity to ensure electricity efficiency →

It is through the tidal wave of climate litigation that citizens themselves can trigger rapid decarbonisation — and avert catastrophic global heating

Another IPCC report, another dire warning. Yet world leaders and big polluters are doing little to reduce emissions. Deutsche Welle’s Stuart Braun says climate litigation could be the only way out. Opinion: Court action could be vital as IPCC confirms climate emergency After a month of unprecedented flooding and wildfires in Europe, it isn't surprising … Continue reading It is through the tidal wave of climate litigation that citizens themselves can trigger rapid decarbonisation — and avert catastrophic global heating →