What does net-zero emissions actually mean?

Amrou Awaysheh, Assistant Professor of Operations Management and Executive Director, Business Sustainability Lab at Indiana University explains in an article on The Conversation website what “net-zero” actually means and why it matters.   More companies pledge ‘net-zero’ emissions to fight climate change, but what does that really mean? You’ll probably hear the term “net-zero emissions” a … Continue reading What does net-zero emissions actually mean?

New EEA briefing on data of key air pollutants in Europe

Concentrations of key air pollutants remain too high in most European countries. According to the European Environment Agency’s official data, published this week, most European Union (EU) Member States exceed at least one or more of the EU’s legal limits for pollutants in ambient air in 2019.   Air pollution still too high in most … Continue reading New EEA briefing on data of key air pollutants in Europe

World’s first crewless, fully electric cargo ship to set sail

The world’s first fully autonomous and electric cargo ship will launch on its first commercial operation in Norway later this year, which if successful could transform the highly-polluting shipping industry. Lewin Day discusses latest developments in an article on the Hackaday website.   The World’s First Autonomous Electric Cargo Ship Is Due To Set Sail … Continue reading World’s first crewless, fully electric cargo ship to set sail

How solar panels provide new prospects for agriculture

Solar panels generate electricity in the fields, helping both farmers and climate protection. Gero Rueter of Deutsche Welle recently visited a German solar farm and discusses what this means for the agriculture sector.   Farmers reap double benefits with solar power in fields Fabian Karthaus grew up with solar energy. "My father built the first … Continue reading How solar panels provide new prospects for agriculture

What does it take to improve the energy performance of Britain’s homes?

When I worked at the International Energy Agency in the 1980s, we were discussing how Britain had to give more attention to improving the energy performance of its building stock, given how poor quality they were overall. In 1990, the then Department of Environment even published an excellent report of a survey on “Attitudes to … Continue reading What does it take to improve the energy performance of Britain’s homes?

Recent Chinese study suggests that there may be clues to changes in past weather conditions in buildings

The study from researchers at Nanjing University in China provides an eloquent reminder of how natural variation in the weather has been an influence on architecture throughout history, often as much as changing styles and tastes. Florian Urban, Professor of Architectural History, Glasgow School of Art, reviews the results of the study in an article … Continue reading Recent Chinese study suggests that there may be clues to changes in past weather conditions in buildings

MyEnergy2050 Podcast – check out this podcast series

The MyEnergy2050 platform highlights the people building a clean and sustainable energy system. The founder, Michael LaBelle, an associate professor at Central European University, wants to tell the story of their work on their path towards a zero-emissions energy system by 2050. Engaging content in a variety of media formats. MyEnergy2050 website was founded to … Continue reading MyEnergy2050 Podcast – check out this podcast series

In new multi-country survey a majority of people are concerned about global climate change and are willing to make lifestyle changes to reduce its effects

In all the countries surveyed in early 2021 except Sweden, between 60% and 90% of the citizens reported feeling somewhat or very concerned about the harm they would personally face from climate change. Kate T. Luong, Ed Maibach and John Kotcher of George Mason University write about the latest PEW survey in an article on … Continue reading In new multi-country survey a majority of people are concerned about global climate change and are willing to make lifestyle changes to reduce its effects

New JRC report on progress of member states in implementing the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

With a new draft proposal for revising the EPBD coming soon, it is timely that the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has published Progress of the Member States in implementing the Energy Performance of Building Directive. Overall, the EPBD policy framework laid down the foundation for: i) setting cost-optimal minimum energy performance standards in new … Continue reading New JRC report on progress of member states in implementing the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

Concerns about widespread lapses in climate risk reporting found in company accounts

Over 70% of some of world’s biggest corporate emitters failed to disclose the effects of climate risk in 2020 financial statements. 80% of their auditors showed no evidence of assessing climate risk when reporting. The report is discussed in an article on the Carbon Tracker website.   Flying blind: The glaring absence of climate risks … Continue reading Concerns about widespread lapses in climate risk reporting found in company accounts