In an article on the National Observer website, Marc Fawcett-Atkinson discusses the climate lawsuit in Canada that has now reached trial, and the courts are being asked to decide whether meaningful climate action is a constitutional obligation rather than simply a political choice. An earlier post on EiD on September 5th highlighted the legal challenge … Continue reading From climate promises to legal obligations: Canada’s landmark climate trial begins
Category: national policies
North Sea oil: from public revenue to public liability?
Insulating Britain’s homes and investing in heat pumps would do more to cut the cost of living, create jobs and boost the UK’s economy than drilling for new oil, research from E3G suggests. New fields simply add to growing clean-up costs as revenues fall away. Beth Walker discusses the research on the E3G website. … Continue reading North Sea oil: from public revenue to public liability?
Germany’s climate transition: the cost of acting versus the cost of standing still
Benjamin Wehrmann writes on the Clean Energy Wire website about the distinction between the total investment needed to achieve climate neutrality and the additional investment required compared with continuing to rely on fossil fuels. Germany needs around €290 billion annually, but only €65 billion represents additional investment beyond a business-as-usual scenario. Climate neutrality by … Continue reading Germany’s climate transition: the cost of acting versus the cost of standing still
Carbon capture: four decades of promises, but where are the results?
Despite significant investment, carbon capture projects look set to fall well short of global targets and have consistently overpromised and underdelivered. In a column in the October issue of Energy in Business & Industry, Andrew Warren suggests there is a good reason why these carbon reduction methods receive the full backing of the fossil fuel … Continue reading Carbon capture: four decades of promises, but where are the results?
As Türkiye prepares to host COP31, the IEA highlights progress and contradictions in its energy transition
As Türkiye prepares to host the UN climate conference COP31, a new energy policy review by the International Energy Agency (IEA) provides a timely assessment of the country's progress towards a more secure, affordable and sustainable energy future. The report recognises important advances in energy efficiency, renewable energy and climate governance, but also identifies significant … Continue reading As Türkiye prepares to host COP31, the IEA highlights progress and contradictions in its energy transition
Germany debates weakening energy efficiency requirements as data centres take centre stage
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
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?
