WIPO and IRENA launch patent landscape report on decarbonising heavy-duty road transport

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) launched today a new Patent Landscape Report on Decarbonizing Heavy-Duty Road Transport at the International Transport Forum (ITF) Summit in Leipzig, Germany. The report, which draws on contributions from the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the World Economic Forum (WEF), provides a comprehensive patent-based analysis … Continue reading WIPO and IRENA launch patent landscape report on decarbonising heavy-duty road transport

Plans still underway to charge airlines in EU for carbon emissions from international flights

Tommaso Lecca writes on the Politico website about the EU plans for extending its Emissions Trading System to include international flights. The move sets up a fight with the United States, which opposes carbon pricing.   EU doubles down on carbon tax for international flights The European Commission says it will push ahead with plans … Continue reading Plans still underway to charge airlines in EU for carbon emissions from international flights

The economic case for electric vehicles is now improving

In an article on The Conversation website, Viet Nguyen-Tien, Research Economist, London School of Economics and Political Science; Gavin D. J. Harper, Research Fellow, Birmingham Centre for Strategic Elements & Critical Materials, University of Birmingham; and Robert Elliott, Professor of Economics, University of Birmingham discuss how the crisis at the Strait of Hormuz has been … Continue reading The economic case for electric vehicles is now improving

Energy in Demand News, April 5-6, 2026

Following an emergency meeting of the EU energy ministers this week, Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said at a press conference that domestic clean energy, electrification, modernised interconnections and improved energy efficiency “are the only way forward”.  Let’s not lose sight of that. More energy independence is the goal but the past 20 years do not … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 5-6, 2026

Rethinking what a ‘proper’ holiday looks like

Sarah Barfield Marks, PhD Researcher, Department of Psychology, University of Bath writes on The Conversation website about what it takes to have a more sustainable holiday. What are your views?   Home or away? Why planning a sustainable holiday is about more than swapping planes for trains As we emerge from a relentlessly gloomy winter … Continue reading Rethinking what a ‘proper’ holiday looks like

Europe’s night trains: a climate-friendly comeback still struggling to take off

Katharina Schantz writes on the Deutsche Welle website that Europe has a bit of an on-off relationship with night trains. A Berlin team's smart cabin concept could lead to greater commitment.   Smart sleepers could be the glow-up night trains need It's Friday evening, and the Nightjet passenger train to Zurich, Switzerland, is due to … Continue reading Europe’s night trains: a climate-friendly comeback still struggling to take off

Aviation could still cut its climate impact dramatically, simply by using planes more efficiently

In an article on The Conversation website, Milan Klöwer, NERC Independent Research Fellow, University of Oxford discusses how to lower aviation emissions by eliminating business class.   Scrapping business class could halve aviation emissions – new study Air travel is famously one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise, and the number of air passengers keeps … Continue reading Aviation could still cut its climate impact dramatically, simply by using planes more efficiently

Energy in Demand News, March 8-9, 2026

The war in the Middle East could end up having a devastating impact on our global energy system. Daniel Yergin, the well-known energy analyst who is author of the 1991 ‘The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money and Power’ asks in the Financial Times this week whether the nightmare scenario for global energy is … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 8-9, 2026

New EEA publication covering the links between air pollution, noise and chemical pollution to mental health issue

Reducing pollution, in line with the EU Zero Pollution action plan, could improve mental health across Europe, according to an EEA briefing published recently. The publication covers the links between air pollution, noise and chemical pollution to mental health issues, as well as opportunities for action – including the positive effects of nature-based solutions on … Continue reading New EEA publication covering the links between air pollution, noise and chemical pollution to mental health issue

Australia’s new car carbon market is already reshaping the auto industry

In an article on The Conversation website, Hussein Dia, Professor of Transport Technology and Sustainability, Swinburne University of Technology discusses how the new fuel efficiency scheme in Australia has created a new, tradeable carbon currency applying just to cars and light commercial vehicles in just seven months.   How Australia’s new fuel efficiency scheme quietly … Continue reading Australia’s new car carbon market is already reshaping the auto industry