New reports paint a troubling picture of Europe’s readiness to handle the effects of climate change over the coming years

Climate-related disasters cost Europe more than €77 billion last year, according to a new report. But costs can be lowered with better data and financing strategies. David Keating discusses warnings from the World Bank about Europe’s preparedness in an article on the Euractiv website.   Europe unprepared for climate disaster, warns World Bank A series … Continue reading New reports paint a troubling picture of Europe’s readiness to handle the effects of climate change over the coming years →

Energy in Demand, May 19, 2024

It is uncomfortable reading about the new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research and reported in the Guardian this week. The economic damage wrought by climate change is six times worse than previously thought. “A 1C increase in global temperature leads to a 12% decline in world gross domestic product (GDP), the researchers … Continue reading Energy in Demand, May 19, 2024 →

Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis signs law that removes most references to climate change in state law, bans offshore wind turbines in state waters and weakens regulations on natural gas pipelines

The state, which just had its hottest year since 1895, has taken steps to rip up its climate change policy foundation. The law also stops programmes designed to encourage renewable energy (prohibiting the construction of offshore wind turbines in state waters) and energy conservation. The legislation also deletes requirements that state agencies use climate-friendly products … Continue reading Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis signs law that removes most references to climate change in state law, bans offshore wind turbines in state waters and weakens regulations on natural gas pipelines →

Countries around the world hit a turning point for renewable energy but the US is falling behind

Justine Calma writes on The Verge website about the energy transition and the US’s continuing reliance on natural gas. Without the US electricity generation from gas would have fallen globally in 2023.   The US is propping up gas while the world moves to renewable energy The amount of electricity and greenhouse gas emissions from … Continue reading Countries around the world hit a turning point for renewable energy but the US is falling behind →

An important threat to the EU’s ecological and energy transition comes from the alarming number of Chinese and US companies moving into the EU power sector

In an article on The Conversation website, Carine Sebi, Professeure associée et coordinatrice de la chaire « Energy for Society », Grenoble École de Management (GEM) and Patrick Criqui, Directeur de recherche émérite au CNRS, économiste de l’énergie, Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA) write about the influence American and Chinese companies are having in the EU. … Continue reading An important threat to the EU’s ecological and energy transition comes from the alarming number of Chinese and US companies moving into the EU power sector →

Energy in Demand News, May 5, 2024

A three year US congressional investigation finds that the world’s largest oil groups had privately acknowledged for decades that burning fossil fuels causes climate change. The findings followed a three-year probe that unearthed internal documents from the major energy companies with evidence of concerted campaigns “to confuse and mislead the public while working unceasingly to … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 5, 2024 →

Energy in Demand News, April 28, 2024

Economic damage from natural catastrophes is raising concern that some areas could be rendered uninsurable, according to Petra Hielkema, head of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (Eiopa), quoted in the Financial Times (behind a paywall). “The EU suffered more than €50bn in economic losses from natural catastrophes in both 2021 and 2022, according … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 28, 2024 →

Energy in Demand News, April 21, 2024

Is it two steps forward and one step back or the reverse. The climate and energy transition is underway. The question is what way? This week in an article on the Financial Times (behind a paywall), the global financial services company J P Morgan said that the world needs a “reality check” on its move … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 21, 2024 →

Energy in Demand News, April 14, 2024

This week Politico reported about a leaked draft report outlining the EU’s priorities for the next five years. It hardly mentions climate and shockingly only mentions “environment” as a promise to create a “business-friendly environment.” The report says that green groups are incensed. “This plan expects 20th-century military strategy to protect people from 21st-century security … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 14, 2024 →

Energy in Demand News, April 7, 2024

The Financial Times (behind a paywall) anticipates that the AI revolution will be a boon for natural gas, according to fossil fuel bosses. “AI’s soaring energy needs will rise well beyond what renewable energy and batteries can deliver, executives argue, making more planet-warming fossil fuel supplies crucial even as governments vow to slash their use.” … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 7, 2024 →