A new report by Energy Cities details the key drivers and solutions to ensure that cities can deliver heat planning if required and drive the transition toward a fossil-free future. Good practices that cities are already implementing to phase out natural gas are also showcased. Why and how fossil fuels in buildings will be … Continue reading A policy paper for fossil-free districts and cities from Energy Cities now available
Impact of climate change on our buildings
Ran Boydell, Visiting Lecturer in Sustainable Development at Heriot-Watt University discusses in an article on The Conversation website about the fragility of our existing buildings as we cope with significant climate changes. Most buildings were designed for an earlier climate – here’s what will happen as global warming accelerates Climate change will affect every aspect … Continue reading Impact of climate change on our buildings
The EC’s “Fit for 55” out soon: here’s what to anticipate
The European Commission will table a package of energy and climate laws on July 14th aimed at reaching the EU’s 2030 goal of cutting emissions by 55%, and putting it on track to hit net zero by 2050. Kira Taylor and Sean Goulding Carroll write on the EURACTIV website to give you the lowdown on … Continue reading The EC’s “Fit for 55” out soon: here’s what to anticipate
More than 1,500 legal actions have already been brought against fossil fuel companies
More legal actions are likely to be successful, as new science was making it possible to attribute the damages of climate breakdown more directly to companies’ activities. Fiona Harvey discusses this new research in an article on The Guardian website. New climate science could cause wave of litigation against businesses – study Businesses could … Continue reading More than 1,500 legal actions have already been brought against fossil fuel companies
From the EEA: waste generation and decoupling in Europe
Between 2010 and 2018, total waste generation increased by 5% (114 million tonnes) in the EU-27 according to the European Environment Agency (EEA). When major mineral wastes are excluded from the total, it increased by 7% (50.3 million tonnes). This means that the EU-27 is not on track to meet its policy goal of reducing … Continue reading From the EEA: waste generation and decoupling in Europe
Stories of climate solutions unlock people’s sense of efficacy and agency in the face of impending danger
The notion that humanity should have known, or should have done something about the crisis earlier — that we should be ashamed for our lack of inaction — is unhelpful for dealing with the climate crisis. Kamyar Razavi, PhD candidate in the School of Communication at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada discusses the … Continue reading Stories of climate solutions unlock people’s sense of efficacy and agency in the face of impending danger
Blog from Jane Marsh: Will Clean Hydrogen Be Cost-Competitive by 2030?
As the eco-conscious movement expands, environmental scientists must access sustainable growth in the renewable energy industry. President Biden acknowledged the necessity for expansion and developed the Build Back Better plan. His plan allocates trillions of dollars to clean energy development and employment. A significant portion of research and production occurs in the solar power sector … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: Will Clean Hydrogen Be Cost-Competitive by 2030?
Need to improve energy performance certificates for buildings
Freya Wise, PhD Candidate in Sustainability and the Built Environment at The Open University in the UK writes on The Conversation website about the shortcomings of energy performance certificates (EPCs) and the need to improve them, especially for pre-1945 homes in Britain. What is the experience in your country? How we measure energy efficiency in … Continue reading Need to improve energy performance certificates for buildings
The recent re-emergence of working horses in viticulture
At least 300 wine growers across mainland France and Corsica are using draught horses. Sheep are also used to graze in vineyards. Sheep are used as an alternative to chemical herbicides, soil and water quality improves, and the practice encourages the growth of nitrogen-fixing plants, such as clover. Ginger Clark writes on The Guardian website … Continue reading The recent re-emergence of working horses in viticulture
Measuring “net-zero” emissions is not simple
Emily Chung writes on the CBC website about a new study suggesting that the assumption that a tonne of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is balanced by a tonne removed from the atmosphere may have to be revisited because there are differences, according to the research. Carbon removal study suggests arithmetic to achieve net-zero … Continue reading Measuring “net-zero” emissions is not simple
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 