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”

Lessons from China for making developers pay compensation for their ecological impacts

In an article on The Conversation website, Shuo Gao, Eleanor Jane Milner-Gulland, Joseph William Bull and Sophus zu Ermgassen from the University of Oxford explain how the compensation scheme works in China. What are your views?   China makes developers pay compensation for their ecological impacts – here’s how this unique scheme works In 2017, … Continue reading Lessons from China for making developers pay compensation for their ecological impacts

Blog on the sustainability of electric vehicles

The ComparetheMarket website has been looking into automobile waste and earlier this year published a guide on 50 important facts and statistics about automobile waste in 2022. For EiD, it has prepared the following blog on whether electric vehicles create more waste.   Do electric cars create more waste? Electric cars are on the rise … Continue reading Blog on the sustainability of electric vehicles

A wake-up call to the dangers of nuclear power

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been in the news since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is the first time war has engulfed operating nuclear plants and, in a real sense, weaponised them as potential radiological weapons, or “dirty bombs”. Tilman Ruff, Honorary Principal Fellow, School of … Continue reading A wake-up call to the dangers of nuclear power

New EEA briefing on impact of plastic packaging

Plastics are used across Europe in everything from construction materials to consumer products. Recent policy actions on plastic packaging at EU and national level have established collection schemes and introduced waste prevention measures. However, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, a significant fraction of Europe’s total plastic consumption is outside … Continue reading New EEA briefing on impact of plastic packaging