Chris McMahon, Senior Research Fellow in Engineering at the University of Bristol explains the benefits of low-technology in our path to sustainability without the need to always look towards high-tech solutions in an article on The Conversation website. Low-technology: why sustainability doesn’t have to depend on high-tech solutions It’s a popular idea that the path … Continue reading Low-tech sustainable solutions prioritise simplicity and durability, local manufacture, as well as traditional or ancient techniques
Category: Sustainable development
If the cement industry were a country its yearly pollution would only be topped by the US and China
The cement and concrete industry is one of the most neglected in the fight against climate change. It's responsible for about 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions, more than double those from flying or shipping. In an article on the Deutsche Welle website, Ajit Niranjan discusses the options to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint. … Continue reading If the cement industry were a country its yearly pollution would only be topped by the US and China
New EEA briefing on breaches of EU air quality standards
Breaches of EU air quality limits for nitrogen dioxide across Europe were predominantly due to road traffic, while domestic heating lay behind the majority of exceedances for particulate matter, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment on air quality plans published this week. Emissions from road traffic and domestic heating behind breaches of … Continue reading New EEA briefing on breaches of EU air quality standards
New EEA briefings on impacts of textile consumption in Europe
Textile consumption in Europe has on average the fourth highest impacts on the environment and climate, following consumption of food, housing and mobility. Ahead of the expected EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles, the European Environment Agency (EEA) published this week two briefings that look at measures to reduce those impacts, including on resource … Continue reading New EEA briefings on impacts of textile consumption in Europe
The British energy rating scheme, recognised in law, offers a distinctly cold shoulder to the installation of heat pumps
Andrew Warren, who chairs the British Energy Efficiency Federation, warns in an articel on the Business Green website the already considerable challenge of reducing the cost of heat pumps is being complicated by the inability of Energy Performance Certificate surveyors to recommend a switch to greener heating systems EPCs don't like heat pumps - … Continue reading The British energy rating scheme, recognised in law, offers a distinctly cold shoulder to the installation of heat pumps
Blog from Jane Marsh: Why We Need More Green Buildings for Combatting Emissions
Since the United Nations established the Paris Agreement, countries have recognized the importance of climate-protection regulations. Many nations independently developed environmental policies that target greenhouse gas emissions. Cities are generally areas of concern for ecologists when it comes to shrinking countries’ carbon footprints. Urban areas produce more atmospheric pollution from transportation, energy production, and buildings. … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: Why We Need More Green Buildings for Combatting Emissions
This year’s assessment of the transparency and integrity of companies’ climate pledges
Companies around the world are increasingly alert to the climate emergency, facing calls from a growing range of stakeholders to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their activities. Most large companies now have public climate strategies and targets, many of which include pledges that, on the face of it, appear to significantly reduce, or … Continue reading This year’s assessment of the transparency and integrity of companies’ climate pledges
New EEA briefing on role of environmental taxation in supporting Europe’s sustainability transitions
The European Green Deal acknowledges the crucial role of taxation in Europe’s sustainability transition. A new European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, shows that revenues from environmental taxes can support transition investments but future revenue streams from these taxes will erode as European Union (EU) environmental and climate policy objectives are achieved. The … Continue reading New EEA briefing on role of environmental taxation in supporting Europe’s sustainability transitions
New EEA analysis of economic losses and fatalities from weather and climate-related events
Extreme weather events like storms, heatwaves and flooding accounted for economic losses of around half a trillion euros over the past 40 years and led to between 85 000 and 145 000 human fatalities across Europe. Less than one-third of these losses were insured, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis of economic losses … Continue reading New EEA analysis of economic losses and fatalities from weather and climate-related events
New EEA briefing on inequalities in access to urban green and blue spaces across Europe
High-quality green and blue spaces in cities, like parks, allotments, riverbanks and coastlines, are crucial for health and well-being, in particular for the elderly, children and people on low incomes. However, a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, shows that access is not equal. How green are European cities? Green space key … Continue reading New EEA briefing on inequalities in access to urban green and blue spaces across Europe
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 