The price of European carbon allowances (EUAs) is not yet high enough to drive structural decarbonisation

With high energy prices dominating the political agenda and politicians in certain EU member states training their sights on the bloc's carbon market, there is one salient fact being missed in all the hubbub: ETS emissions likely increased by 6% in 2021, and are set to rise further again this year. Self-evidently, this means that … Continue reading The price of European carbon allowances (EUAs) is not yet high enough to drive structural decarbonisation

New study highlighting “vast energy inequality” between rich and poor countries points to “climate hypocrisy”

A recent study found that each Briton produces 200 times the climate emissions of the average Congolese person, with people in the US producing 585 times as much. Yet, as recently as COP26, there was lots of hand-wringing by rich countries about the extent to which aid and other development finance should finance fossil fuels … Continue reading New study highlighting “vast energy inequality” between rich and poor countries points to “climate hypocrisy”

What is impact of comedy on our taking climate action?

The apocalyptic parody film about a comet heading for Earth has polarised opinion and triggered a global debate on our failure to act on the climate emergency. Stuart Braun writes on the Deutsche Welle website whether such comedy can lead to action. What are your views?   'Don't Look Up': Can comedy spark climate crisis … Continue reading What is impact of comedy on our taking climate action?

As climate stress tests become increasingly common, their findings and implications will reverberate across the entire financial industry

Ryan Riordan, Professor & Distinguished Professor of Finance, Research Director at the Institute for Sustainable Finance at Queen's University in Ontario discusses the value of stress tests in an article on The Conversation website.   What is a climate stress test? A sustainable finance expert explains Imagine this: You take out a mortgage to purchase your … Continue reading As climate stress tests become increasingly common, their findings and implications will reverberate across the entire financial industry

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

A new and innovative way to apply advanced AI techniques and adapt them in cooling buildings in Oman

Research led by Dr Maryam Zuhair Al Lawati, from the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, discovered a new and innovative way to apply advanced AI techniques and adapt them in cooling buildings in Oman. A Times News Service article on the Times of Oman website discusses the new research.   Research finds new … Continue reading A new and innovative way to apply advanced AI techniques and adapt them in cooling buildings in Oman

Energy bills in the UK are nearly £2.5bn higher than they would have been if climate policies had not been scrapped over the past decade

Everyone is coping with rising energy prices, but recent research shows that scrapped climate policies over the past decade have had costly consequences. Tom Brook discusses in an article on the techradar website.   Cutting green initiatives has added £2.5bn to UK energy bills Previous efforts to slash climate policies are now costing the average … Continue reading Energy bills in the UK are nearly £2.5bn higher than they would have been if climate policies had not been scrapped over the past decade

New Dutch government puts green hydrogen front and centre as part of its climate policy

Mirela Petkova writes on the Energy Monitor website about the priorities for the new government in the Netherlands. On the supply side, the focus will be on green hydrogen and possibly on nuclear power as well. The report does not discuss developments on energy demand. If any readers have insight into what is going on … Continue reading New Dutch government puts green hydrogen front and centre as part of its climate policy

How to stay cool – sustainably

Rising temperatures are leading to a surge in demand for cooling. But, ironically, the more we rely on energy-intensive air conditioners, the more the planet warms. Natalie Muller and Neil King discuss the options in an article on the Deutsche Welle website.   Climate emergency: Keeping homes cool on a warming planet In many places, … Continue reading How to stay cool – sustainably

New McKinsey report says reaching net zero is vital to avoiding the most catastrophic impacts of global heating and the transformation becomes more expensive the longer action is delayed

In a new report by McKinsey, the global management consulting company, they look at the economic transformation that a transition to net-zero emissions would entail—a transformation that would affect all countries and all sectors of the economy, either directly or indirectly. Damian Carrington discusses the report in an article on The Guardian website.   McKinsey: … Continue reading New McKinsey report says reaching net zero is vital to avoiding the most catastrophic impacts of global heating and the transformation becomes more expensive the longer action is delayed