Oil, coal and gas still provide most energy for heating in Germany. Large-scale heat pumps offer a cost-effective, climate-neutral alternative that use waste and environmental heat. Gero Rueter discusses their potential in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Energy crisis: Can large-scale heat pumps replace fossil fuels for heating? As Germany and other … Continue reading What role can large-scale heat pumps play in Germany’s energy transition
Insurance companies also wield enormous power over the energy transition
Insurers are paying more for extreme weather while continuing to finance and underwrite activities that warp the climate. They can block or enable fossil fuel projects by choosing whether to insure them and for what price. Speeding up the switch to green energy would cut their exposure to catastrophic weather. Climate activists are pushing them … Continue reading Insurance companies also wield enormous power over the energy transition
Reforms needed for multilateral development banks to provide more capital for sustainable development
Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) could make billions more in investment capital available for sustainable development. That is the astounding finding of a recent report, commissioned by the G20. Given that MDBs’ whole purpose is to maximise the impact of their funds, their donors are wondering why they have left money on the table. Donors and … Continue reading Reforms needed for multilateral development banks to provide more capital for sustainable development
COP27 in November really is turning into a crucial meeting
Since COP26 in Glasgow last year, emissions have reached record levels after the pandemic downturn. And this year alone, we’ve seen dozens of catastrophic disasters ranging from drought in the Horn of Africa to floods in Pakistan, South Africa and Australia, and wildfires and heatwaves in Europe, the United States, Mongolia and South America, among … Continue reading COP27 in November really is turning into a crucial meeting
“Taxes on air travel are far more socially just than taxes on necessities such as home energy use”
Milena Buchs, Professor of Sustainable Welfare at the University of Leeds and Giulio Mattioli, Research Fellow, Department of Transport Planning at the Technical University of Dortmund in an article on The Conversation website argue that a carbon tax on air travel would be much more progressive, they would burden richer people more than poorer people … Continue reading “Taxes on air travel are far more socially just than taxes on necessities such as home energy use”
World Bank criticised over climate crisis spending
Controversy follows the president of the World Bank, David Malpass. Last month, the former US vice-president Al Gore led calls for the president of the bank to resign after he avoided a journalist’s questions on climate science. Malpass, nominated for the position by the Trump administration, later apologised but his apparent climate denial followed years … Continue reading World Bank criticised over climate crisis spending
New EEA briefings on sustainability of agriculture and food systems
A profound rethink of how we produce food and operate global food chains and related industrial processing sectors is needed to make them resilient and sustainable. Much more must be done to reduce their GHG emissions as well as their pressures on water resources and biodiversity — efforts which are currently almost stagnant — according … Continue reading New EEA briefings on sustainability of agriculture and food systems
Accelerating SDG7 action
Sustainable Development Goal 7 is one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. It aims to "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all." It is important to look at the work that is underway through the UN High-level Dialogue on Energy to see what … Continue reading Accelerating SDG7 action
Too many technical difficulties to overcome to make hydrogen a viable low-carbon heating fuel
Fiona Harvey writes on The Guardian website about a new study that questions the suitability of hydrogen for home heating. What are your views? Hydrogen is unsuitable for home heating, review concludes Hydrogen is unsuitable for use in home heating, and likely to remain so, despite the hopes of the UK government and plumbing … Continue reading Too many technical difficulties to overcome to make hydrogen a viable low-carbon heating fuel
Blog from Jane Marsh: How does renewable energy impact air pollution?
Clean, renewable energy is one of the top ways to reduce the carbon emissions entering the air and causing climate change. Switching from fossil fuels to solar and wind power can decrease pollution and prevent further damage. Americans are reducing their fossil fuel use by the year, but eliminating those energy sources doesn’t mean they … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: How does renewable energy impact air pollution?
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 