At a stakeholder consultation held on 20 October 2026, the European Commission presented plans for the Investment Booster, the first phase of its proposed €100 billion Industrial Decarbonisation Bank, aimed at accelerating investment in low-carbon technologies and strengthening European industrial competitiveness. The Investment Booster, envisaged for 2027–2030, would mobilise approximately €30 billion through EU Emissions … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, October 25-26, 2026
Category: transport
Energy in Demand News, October 18-19, 2026
The International Institute for Sustainable Development’s Earth Negotiations Bulletin gives us bad news about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). After a week of contentious deliberations and some displays of temper, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suspended its 65th session Friday evening without an agreement on either a timeline for the remainder … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, October 18-19, 2026
The surprising energy efficiency benefits of driverless trucks
Anthony Wiskich, Visiting Fellow in Economics, Australian National University, writes on The Conversation website about the unexpected connection between autonomous driving and energy efficiency. Removing the driver changes the economics of freight transport, allowing trucks to travel more slowly, consume less energy and potentially use smaller, cheaper batteries. Electric long‑haul trucks could become a … Continue reading The surprising energy efficiency benefits of driverless trucks
Electrifying public transport is only half the journey
On the Deutsche Welle website, Ana Munoz Padros writes that Europe is making progress in electrifying public transport, but replacing diesel buses with electric ones is only part of the solution. The bigger challenge is creating transport systems attractive enough to persuade people to leave their cars behind. But are cities moving fast enough to … Continue reading Electrifying public transport is only half the journey
Energy in Demand News, October 11-12, 2026
The EU and ministers from more than 30 countries are opposing efforts by Saudi Arabia, China, India and other fossil fuel-dependent nations to delay publication of key scientific reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Financial Times reports. The proposed postponement until 2029 would mean that crucial scientific evidence would not be … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, October 11-12, 2026
America’s fuel efficiency retreat comes at a cost
In an article on the Deutsche Welle website Stuart Braun discusses the difference between the price of buying a car and the cost of owning and running it. The US administration argues that weakening fuel-efficiency standards will make new cars cheaper. Yet, weakened US fuel-efficiency rules and promises of cheaper cars could yet see drivers … Continue reading America’s fuel efficiency retreat comes at a cost
Building transport systems for a less predictable world
In an article on The Conversation website, Erica E.F. Ballantyne, Senior Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management, University of Sheffield, discusses the need for transport resilience in a world where both the climate and energy system are becoming less predictable. How to build climate‑resilient transport systems Extreme weather frequently causes major disruptions in UK transport … Continue reading Building transport systems for a less predictable world
From parking spaces to power stations
Liam Gilliver writes on the Euronews website about the untapped potential of solar car parks, contrasting countries like France that are mandating them with the UK's decision to step back. Solar car parks are popping up across Europe, but not every country seems to think they’re a smart investment. Solar car parks could cut … Continue reading From parking spaces to power stations
Roads built for yesterday’s climate
Using Germany as an example, Tim Schauenberg writes on the Deutsche Welle website argues that infrastructure designed for yesterday's climate is no longer fit for tomorrow's temperatures. As the Autobahn buckles under heat waves, Germany is still paving roads for a past climate. Engineers know how to fix that — so what's the holdup? … Continue reading Roads built for yesterday’s climate
China’s EV gamble has paid off
In an article on The Conversation website, Timothy Minchin, Professor of History, La Trobe University and Michelle Shu Wun Kuek, Doctoral student in History, La Trobe University write about China's long-term industrial strategy paying off, while Western and Japanese automakers struggle to adapt to the electric vehicle transition. It is as much about industrial policy … Continue reading China’s EV gamble has paid off
