The transition towards safer and more sustainable chemicals is progressing in some areas, while in others, it is just beginning. This is the finding of a first, joint Europe-wide assessment of the drivers and impact of chemical pollution by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published this week. The benchmarking … Continue reading New assessment from EEA and ECHA of the drivers and impact of chemical pollution
Category: pollution
Polish court overturns approval for controversial open-cast coal mine that had negative impact on Czech neighbours
Aneta Zachová and Barbora Pištorová write on the Euractiv website about a Polish court decision that defended Czech citizens who were negatively impacted on controversial Polish coal mine. One wonders how the mine was approved in the first place. Polish court sides with Czechs, cancels environmental assessment of controversial mine A Polish court has … Continue reading Polish court overturns approval for controversial open-cast coal mine that had negative impact on Czech neighbours
98% of Europeans live in areas with unhealthy levels of PM2.5
While air pollution levels have improved significantly over the past 20 years, so much more to do because it is estimated that 98% of Europeans live in areas that the World Health Organization says have unhealthy levels of PM2.5. Helena Horton discusses the findings in an article on the Guardian website. Air pollution levels … Continue reading 98% of Europeans live in areas with unhealthy levels of PM2.5
New EEA briefing on environmental impact of textile consumption in Europe
Textile consumption in Europe causes significant pressures on the environment and climate. Part of these pressures comes from returned and unsold textiles that are destroyed and never used for their intended purpose. A new European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing looks at the issue and estimates the share of returned and unsold textiles that are destroyed … Continue reading New EEA briefing on environmental impact of textile consumption in Europe
Disproportionate focus of manufacturers on large SUVs and premium models means we have too few mass-market cars
New analysis by Transport & Environment shows how the car market is being distorted by large SUVs. The analysis is discussed in an article on the T&E website. Carmakers are failing to deliver affordable electric cars, holding back EV adoption – analysis Only 17% of electric cars sold are in the more affordable ‘B’ … Continue reading Disproportionate focus of manufacturers on large SUVs and premium models means we have too few mass-market cars
State-owned energy firms that search for, produce and refine fossil fuels are among the most polluting organisations in the world
In an article on The Conversation website, Anna Grosman, Reader in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Loughborough University; Aldo Musacchio, Professor of Management and Economics, Brandeis University; and Gerhard Schnyder, Professor of International Management & Political Economy, Loughborough University write about the poor environmental track record of state-owned energy companies. State-owned energy companies are among the … Continue reading State-owned energy firms that search for, produce and refine fossil fuels are among the most polluting organisations in the world
Energy in Demand News, February 18, 2024
Financing the climate and energy transition is facing ever more difficulties – as I’m sure you see in your own country. At the global level, COP26 in Glasgow approved the Just Energy Transition Partnerships, a landmark climate finance framework endorsed by world leaders as a way to fund the green transition in poorer countries. However, … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 18, 2024
Toxic emissions from the Canadian tar sands have been dramatically underestimated
Matthew Taylor writes on the Guardian website about a recent study that shows pollution at Canada’s tar sands vastly exceeds industry-reported levels. Canadian tar sands pollution is up to 6,300% higher than reported, study finds Toxic emissions from the Canadian tar sands – already one of the dirtiest fossil fuels – have been dramatically … Continue reading Toxic emissions from the Canadian tar sands have been dramatically underestimated
Many nations agree that a binding treaty on plastic pollution is critical to solving the plastic pollution problem
As most of us were focussing on COP28 in Dubai, there was also much happening on plastic waste and the implications for energy consumption. In November 2023, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution met in Nairobi, Kenya, for the third negotiating round of a planned five sessions. Not that much headway was made. The … Continue reading Many nations agree that a binding treaty on plastic pollution is critical to solving the plastic pollution problem
“Wood burning is not a solution for reaching net zero or avoiding high bills for individuals”
Experts say wood-burning is not cheaper or truly renewable and constitutes a major health risk. Gary Fuller discusses recent research in an article on the Guardian website. The health cost of burning wood to warm homes Dr Tom Smith is a wildfires scientist. His career has focused on tracking down wildland fires in savannahs and … Continue reading “Wood burning is not a solution for reaching net zero or avoiding high bills for individuals”
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 