Energy in Demand News, August 11, 2024

This week Lord Adair Turner, the former chairman of the UK’s Climate Change Committee and the current chair of the Energy Transitions Commission, was interviewed in the Financial Times (behind a paywall). There are two particularly important quotes from him. The first concerns what it will cost to get to net zero: “In 2020, the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, August 11, 2024 →

UK caught in dilemma to build new houses and yet maintain environmental targets

Rosa Silverman and Ollie Corfe write on the Telegraph website about the new UK Labour government that is determined to build on its green belt to accelerate the number of new homes. The problem is that this may be incompatible with the government’s environmental targets – and could create a major problem. This is an … Continue reading UK caught in dilemma to build new houses and yet maintain environmental targets →

Zimbabwe’s energy transition

The Zimbabwean government is racing against time to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7: affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030. However, the race towards green energy is top-down and mostly privatised. New technology is being introduced or sold to individuals or small families, but renewable energy is not being … Continue reading Zimbabwe’s energy transition →

Is sufficiency catching on?

Influencers are pushing back against consumerism by encouraging followers to repair or repurpose their stuff. In an article on the Guardian website, Sara Radin questions whether this ‘trend’ is just what many people call normal life? For more on sufficiency, readers are encouraged to visit the Sufficiency Lab or eceee’s Energy Sufficiency website. ‘It … Continue reading Is sufficiency catching on? →

Fashion brands are failing to act on decarbonisation

Almost a quarter of the world’s biggest fashion brands, such as Reebok, Tom Ford and DKNY, do not have a public plan for decarbonisation, a report has found. In its latest transparency ranking, Fashion Revolution calls out the lack of progress towards fashion’s climate goals. The critical path to decarbonisation — and a just transition … Continue reading Fashion brands are failing to act on decarbonisation →

Energy in Demand News, July 28, 2024

A task force convened by the UN secretary-general has criticised the use of carbon credits to offset emissions outside of state-regulated schemes. The Financial Times (behind a paywall) reports that the task force’s draft report opposes companies using credits “to cancel out their carbon dioxide footprint, putting it on a collision course with big oil … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 28, 2024 →

Extreme heat from climate change shown to have serious effect on mental health

In an article on The Conversation website, Peter Crank,Assistant Professor of Geography, University of Waterloo in Canada discusses the impact of extreme health on our mental well-being. Climate change and mental health: How extreme heat can affect mental illnesses During heat waves, hospital admissions for mental health spike. The past 10 years were the … Continue reading Extreme heat from climate change shown to have serious effect on mental health →

“Old buildings are more than just relics of the past, they are treasures waiting to be salvaged”

Ana Rute Costa, Senior Lecturer in Architecture, Lancaster University and Rabia Charef, Research Associate, also at Lancaster University write on The Conversation website about the need for an alternative to demolishing buildings. Demolishing buildings is bad for the planet – here’s an alternative The construction industry is not on track to decarbonise by 2050 and uses … Continue reading “Old buildings are more than just relics of the past, they are treasures waiting to be salvaged” →

Blueprints for a low energy economy

Is the new UK government prepared to rise to the challenge of investing in energy efficiency measures and reducing the country’s energy use? asks Andrew Warren, chair of the British Energy Efficiency Federation in an article in the July/August issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry. In recognition of the new Government's determination to deliver … Continue reading Blueprints for a low energy economy →

Climate friendly Paris Olympic Games focused on low carbon, repurposed construction

Ciaran Varley and Dave Lockwood write on the Guardian website how the Paris Olympics are doing their best to be the greenest ever. EiD did an earlier post on the Paris Olympics in April that gives more background. Recycled bottle tops and tables made from shuttlecocks - the greenest Olympics? The organising committee of … Continue reading Climate friendly Paris Olympic Games focused on low carbon, repurposed construction →