New report from EU climate Advisory Board: focus on immediate implementation and continued action to achieve EU climate goals

In a new report published this week, the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change recommends a series of actions to put the EU on track towards climate neutrality. Some recommendations require immediate action and others should be considered when shaping the EU's post-2030 climate policy framework. Based on an assessment of more than 80 … Continue reading New report from EU climate Advisory Board: focus on immediate implementation and continued action to achieve EU climate goals

Transforming energy demand

A set of business actions aimed at reducing the intensity of energy demand could unlock annual savings of at least $2 trillion for the global economy. A news item on the Modern Diplomacy website discusses a new report of the World Economic Forum on the transforming energy demand initiative.   Action on Energy Demand Could … Continue reading Transforming energy demand

The role of small modular reactors in the energy transition

As the global need for decarbonisation becomes more urgent, small modular reactors are getting considerable attention. COP28 recognised the critical role of nuclear energy for reducing the effects of climate change. COP28 also saw 22 world leaders  sign a declaration to make efforts to triple nuclear energy by 2050. SMRs have been touted as a … Continue reading The role of small modular reactors in the energy transition

IEA’s new report on energy efficiency sends message on need to address energy demand

This year’s energy efficiency report by the IEA makes clear that a profound transformation is underway in energy efficiency and clean energy more broadly, with many governments introducing new, or strengthening existing, policies and energy-saving programmes. These policies are leading to faster deployment of efficient technologies and are contributing towards an expected peaking of fossil … Continue reading IEA’s new report on energy efficiency sends message on need to address energy demand

New EEA briefing on climate’s impact on seas

Climate change’s triple impact on seas — warming waters, acidification and decreasing oxygen levels — are a major and increasing threat to Europe’s marine ecosystems. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, looks at main threats to Europe’s seas and points to key actions to improve the situation.   Warming, acidification, dropping oxygen … Continue reading New EEA briefing on climate’s impact on seas

New EEA report on European air quality health assessment

Air pollution in Europe remains well above recommended World Health Organization (WHO) levels, posing a significant threat to our health. According to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) air quality health assessment published this week, 253,000 deaths could have been avoided in the EU if the fine particulate matter concentrations had met WHO recommendations. Exposure … Continue reading New EEA report on European air quality health assessment

New report on importance of driving forward industrial energy efficiency

Manufacturers have been hit by soaring gas and electricity prices hitting record highs, leaving businesses desperate to cut their energy use, according to a new report Driving Industrial Energy Efficiencies, published this week by Make UK and Inspired PLC.   Driving forward industrial energy efficiency is key to meeting net zero targets The new research … Continue reading New report on importance of driving forward industrial energy efficiency

New EEA report on the urgent need to prioritise the use of biomass

There are increasing and competing demands for using biomass in the EU, using it for bio-based products in sectors such as construction, energy, transport, furniture and textile industries, but also reserving it for nature conservation and carbon sequestration. The European Environment Agency (EEA) report, published recently, stresses that there is an urgent need to prioritise … Continue reading New EEA report on the urgent need to prioritise the use of biomass

Economists underestimate climate risk, says Finance Watch

In a new report, the NGO judges that by underestimating the financial repercussions of climate change, economists are encouraging politicians to inaction. Climate risk is growing to disruptive levels throughout the financial system and the guardians of financial stability urgently need to adapt their tools to regain control. Finance Watch’s new report published on its … Continue reading Economists underestimate climate risk, says Finance Watch

New EEA briefing on the assessment of EU national adaptation actions

Climate risk assessments that take account of threats like heatwaves, droughts, floods and wildfires are increasingly being used to inform and improve national adaptation policies according to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment of national adaptation actions published recently.    Heatwaves, droughts, other extreme weather events increasingly influencing adaptation policies The EEA briefing ‘Is … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the assessment of EU national adaptation actions