Energy in Demand News, July 5-6, 2026

In Canada this week, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen urged decisive action by quoting a famous hockey credo: "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take." The Trump administration is moving to gut energy efficiency rules for home appliances that are proven to cut demand for power and lower utility bills. The Washington Post … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 5-6, 2026

Energy in Demand News, June 28-29, 2026

The Financial Times reports that Elon Musk’s SpaceX “was awarded the lowest possible environmental, social and governance rating by index provider MSCI [Morgan Stanley Capital International] ahead of the company’s record $75bn public float this month. The triple C assessment means SpaceX has the same score as that awarded to the Russian state on MSCI’s … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 28-29, 2026

Why Europe is betting on sleeper trains again

In an article on The Conversation website, Mehri Khosravi, Energy and Carbon Senior Research Fellow, University of East London; United Nations University, writes about the revival of Europe's sleeper train network as a cleaner, more attractive alternative to short-haul flights, driven by climate concerns, energy security and changing travel preferences.   Overnight trains: why sleeping … Continue reading Why Europe is betting on sleeper trains again

New EEA data on CO2 emissions from new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles or vans registered in Europe

Average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles or vans registered in Europe decreased significantly in 2025 compared to 2024, according to provisional data published this week by the European Environment Agency (EEA).    Average CO2 emissions from new cars and vans significantly decreased in 2025 The reductions in emissions … Continue reading New EEA data on CO2 emissions from new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles or vans registered in Europe

The catalytic converter: the environmental technology that changed everything

In an article on The Conversation website, Ann E. Carlson, Professor of Environmental Law, University of California, Los Angeles writes about how California's strict vehicle emissions standards drove the development and adoption of catalytic converters, transforming air quality in the United States and beyond. California’s willingness to maintain strict vehicle emissions standards accelerated the adoption … Continue reading The catalytic converter: the environmental technology that changed everything

The electric vehicle revolution is happening faster than anyone expected

Gero Rueter writes on the Deutsche Welle website about the extraordinary global acceleration of electric vehicle adoption and how falling battery costs, industrial policy and energy security concerns are driving the transition away from combustion engines. China is driving the transition, but Europe and other countries are catching up fast. EVs are no longer a … Continue reading The electric vehicle revolution is happening faster than anyone expected

A stronger safety net for Europe’s new carbon market

Marta Pacheco writes on the Euronews website about the EU's attempt to balance carbon pricing, climate policy and affordability as it extends emissions trading to buildings and road transport under ETS2. The upcoming carbon costs due to kick in in 2028 will hit road transport and buildings, likely pushing energy prices higher.   EU steps … Continue reading A stronger safety net for Europe’s new carbon market

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