In an article on the energate messenger website, Kirsten Jöhlinger captures the tension between Germany’s obligation to implement the EU Energy Efficiency Directive and its proposed relaxation of existing national requirements, while highlighting the growing importance of data centres in the debate. New energy efficiency targets divide experts Germany continues to lag behind in … Continue reading Germany debates weakening energy efficiency requirements as data centres take centre stage
Category: national policies
The hidden costs of Russia’s nuclear ambitions
In an article on the Aljazeera website, Arshak Makichyan discusses Moscow faces a huge decommissioning bill at home even as it expands its nuclear industry abroad. Russia’s nuclear plants are ageing. Who will pay to dismantle them? The world often discusses the nuclear threat posed by Russia, but far less attention is paid to … Continue reading The hidden costs of Russia’s nuclear ambitions
America’s fuel efficiency retreat comes at a cost
In an article on the Deutsche Welle website Stuart Braun discusses the difference between the price of buying a car and the cost of owning and running it. The US administration argues that weakening fuel-efficiency standards will make new cars cheaper. Yet, weakened US fuel-efficiency rules and promises of cheaper cars could yet see drivers … Continue reading America’s fuel efficiency retreat comes at a cost
Cheaper electricity — but at what cost?
In an article on The Conversation website, Akshaya Jha, Associate Professor of Economics and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, argues that the claimed savings from repealing US power-plant emissions rules omit potentially substantial health and climate costs. EPA says repealing power plant emissions rules will save billions – but its estimate leaves out health … Continue reading Cheaper electricity — but at what cost?
Who should pay for climate damage — taxpayers or fossil fuel companies?
In an article on The Conversation website, Patrick Parenteau, Professor of Law Emeritus, Vermont Law & Graduate School, questions who should pay the mounting costs of climate damage—the public or the companies being sued over their alleged role in causing and misleading the public about that damage? Question of whether taxpayers or fossil fuel … Continue reading Who should pay for climate damage — taxpayers or fossil fuel companies?
Canada faces 5°C of warming by the end of the century – unless the world changes course
In an article on The Conversation website, H. Damon Matthews, Professor and Climate Scientist, Department of Geography, Planning and Environment, Concordia University, explains that while Canada is warming rapidly, crossing 1.5°C does not mean climate action has failed or become pointless. Every additional fraction of a degree matters, and adaptation cannot substitute for emissions reductions. … Continue reading Canada faces 5°C of warming by the end of the century – unless the world changes course
Germany’s answer to energy insecurity: phase out fossil fuels
In an article on the Deutsche Welle website, Rana Taha explains that Germany has said it plans to phase out the use of coal, oil and gas by 2045, reaffirming a climate strategy focused on electrification. The Iran war and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz turn what might otherwise sound like a purely climate-policy … Continue reading Germany’s answer to energy insecurity: phase out fossil fuels
When net zero becomes a political dividing line
In the UK, the opposition leader Kemi Badenoch’s decision to abandon cross-party consensus on climate change and the need to meet net zero targets may win her plaudits from some right-wing commentators, but places her in opposition to popular opinion and the scientific world. The debate taking place in Britain has significance far beyond the … Continue reading When net zero becomes a political dividing line
Trump clears the way for a new US coal boom
Mahima Kapoor writes on the Deutsche Welle website about how the EPA has repealed most of the 2024 power-plant carbon standards and is proposing to eliminate the remaining greenhouse-gas standards for the sector. The Environmental Protection Agency said it was repealing Biden-era limits on emissions made by power plants, in the "largest power sector deregulation … Continue reading Trump clears the way for a new US coal boom
Preparing before the crisis: lessons from Finland
Writing on the Le Monde website, Anne-Françoise Hivert provides us with an important story about resilience and preparedness. Distributed across the country, Finland's reserves – along its 1,340 kilometres of border with Russia – cover nine months of grain consumption and five months of its oil and gas needs. The system has emerged as a … Continue reading Preparing before the crisis: lessons from Finland
