The proposed 2030 climate change targets for Germany are a "gigantic" task that will push the export-reliant economy to hasten its phase-out of coal-fired power plants and cars that run on fossil fuels. Ajit Niranjan discusses latest developments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Germany's more ambitious climate goals pressure industry to … Continue reading Germany’s energy transition: government reacts to pressure from climate activists and chastened by its highest court
Category: net zero emissions
“We should get net zero right – not get rid”
There have been lots of discussions recently about the concept of net zero emissions. Some have been criticised for misinterpreting it. Some feel it is not a good concept at all. Richard Black, Honorary Research Fellow, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London; Steve Smith, Executive Director, Oxford Net Zero, University of Oxford; and Thomas Hale, Associate … Continue reading “We should get net zero right – not get rid”
An antiquated energy grid and outdated planning rules are undermining efforts to tackle the climate crisis in Britain
Renewable energy providers call for reform of system that reserves capacity for gas power stations, even when they’re laying idle, writes Ben Chapman on the Independent website. UK’s net zero push undermined by energy grid that holds back renewables Efforts to tackle the climate crisis are being undermined by an antiquated energy grid and … Continue reading An antiquated energy grid and outdated planning rules are undermining efforts to tackle the climate crisis in Britain
Net zero targets are a powerful way to signal common cause between nations but a sense of solidarity requires these targets be consistent with demands for climate justice
The Paris Agreement broke a long-standing political deadlock by allowing each country to develop its own nationally determined contribution to cutting global emissions. Net zero can be an important focus for climate action. Three academics argue that it must not become a set of blinkers that seeks to compel all countries down a single path. … Continue reading Net zero targets are a powerful way to signal common cause between nations but a sense of solidarity requires these targets be consistent with demands for climate justice
Accelerating America’s shift to a carbon-free electric power system
In the last 15 years, the US has seen a dramatic change in its shift to a carbon-free electric power system. Ryan Wiser, Bentham Paulos, Dev Millstein and Joseph Rand from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory write on The Conversation website about this shift. Pay particular attention to what has happened to projected energy demand. … Continue reading Accelerating America’s shift to a carbon-free electric power system
Cutting carbon emissions from construction
Building sites produce emissions and air pollution. Cities, developers and construction machinery manufacturers are looking for ways to clean them up. Chermaine Lee discusses in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Green construction: Creating emissions-free building sites The dust, smell, noise and heat from Hong Kong's many construction sites are often "unbearable" for … Continue reading Cutting carbon emissions from construction
Germany benefits from citizen assembly on environmental ambitions
Inspired by citizens’ assemblies in Ireland and France, Germany is doing the same. One hundred and sixty Germans, four major issues, one goal: for lawmakers to live up to their climate pledges. The Citizen Assembly is set to debate Germany's environmental ambitions and make sure its voices are heard. Martin Kuebler discusses recent developments in … Continue reading Germany benefits from citizen assembly on environmental ambitions
Improved energy efficiency has important role in our energy transition
Reaching the net zero targets announced by countries around the world isn’t just about generating cleaner energy: it will also require significant improvements in making our energy use more efficient. These issues are discussed in an article on the Open Access Government website The role of energy efficiency in achieving net zero targets Energy … Continue reading Improved energy efficiency has important role in our energy transition
The obvious dangers of the concept of net zero
James Dyke, Senior Lecturer in Global Systems, University of Exeter; Robert Watson, Emeritus Professor in Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia; and Wolfgang Knorr, Senior Research Scientist, Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University bring their more than 80 years thinking about climate change to discuss their views on the concept of net zero in … Continue reading The obvious dangers of the concept of net zero
New report on zero energy buildings
The global energy demand from the building and construction sector continues to rise, mainly due to rapid expansion of buildings’ floor area and global climate change. Ambitious, yet compelling, zero energy buildings (ZEB) are deemed to directly and effectively address the global issues on climate change and energy scarcity. ReportLinker discusses its new report on … Continue reading New report on zero energy buildings
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 