A container shipping operator has overtaken several coal plants and an airline in a list of the EU’s top carbon emitters

The analysis said that Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) came in seventh in a list of the top 10 carbon emitters in the EU. Jane Clinton explains in an article on the inews website.   Container shipping operator emits 'more carbon' than Ryanair, suggests study A container shipping operator has overtaken several coal plants and an … Continue reading A container shipping operator has overtaken several coal plants and an airline in a list of the EU’s top carbon emitters

In 2015 Australia set an energy productivity goal of 40% improvement by 2030 but so far it has only improved 1.1 percent

Hugh Saddler, Honorary Associate Professor, Centre for Climate Economics and Policy at the Australian National University explains in an article on The Conversation website that Australia is failing miserably to reduce GHG emissions through improved energy efficiency.   Australia has failed miserably on energy efficiency – and government figures hide the truth Amid the urgent … Continue reading In 2015 Australia set an energy productivity goal of 40% improvement by 2030 but so far it has only improved 1.1 percent

This November 450 global development banks will meet to support climate, sustainable development, and biodiversity goals in their recovery plans

The world needs concrete action. The time is now. And one of the sectors in which action is desperately needed is the energy sector. Sandrine Dixson-Dècleve, Co-President of the Club of Rome; Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, an indigenous leader;  Bas Eickhout is a Member of the European Parliament discuss this initiative in an article on the Thomson … Continue reading This November 450 global development banks will meet to support climate, sustainable development, and biodiversity goals in their recovery plans

New EEA briefing on benefits through circular economy actions in the buildings sector

Improving efficiency and reuse of materials to construct houses and other buildings can open significant new opportunities to further reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing released this week.   Greater circularity in the buildings sector can lead to major cuts in greenhouse gas emissions The EEA briefing, ‘Cutting greenhouse … Continue reading New EEA briefing on benefits through circular economy actions in the buildings sector

California taking major steps to curb emissions from trucks

California recently adopted a landmark rule requiring more than half of all trucks sold in the state to be zero-emissions by 2035. Hiroko Tabuchi discusses latest developments on the New York Times website.   New Rule in California Will Require Zero-Emissions Trucks Rebuffing strong opposition from industry, California on June 25th adopted a landmark rule … Continue reading California taking major steps to curb emissions from trucks

Renewable energy firms are failing on serious ethical issues, with not one of those assessed “fully meeting” their responsibilities to human rights

Of the 16 largest publicly traded solar and wind companies assessed against the new Renewable Energy and Human Rights benchmark, not one was found to be respecting land rights, and only one has a public commitment on indigenous rights. The sector overall has faced allegations of human rights abuse, including killings, threats and land grabs, … Continue reading Renewable energy firms are failing on serious ethical issues, with not one of those assessed “fully meeting” their responsibilities to human rights

Move to have airlines postpone their climate obligations deflated the little ambition of the aviation’s sector climate plan, which was already “far below what is needed to avoid climate catastrophe”

A handful of countries on the council of the International Civil Aviation Organization agreed to change the rules to reduce the sector’s carbon costs. There are serious climate implications. Chloé Farand explains in an article on the Climate Change News website.   Airlines' climate obligations postponed as UN body endorses industry proposal Airlines have wriggled … Continue reading Move to have airlines postpone their climate obligations deflated the little ambition of the aviation’s sector climate plan, which was already “far below what is needed to avoid climate catastrophe”

Northern Ireland’s unique context, particularly in energy, will require further innovation and a strategic joined up approach to improve energy performance of its buildings

While decarbonisation of the heat network remains one the toughest challenges, an energy efficient building fabric is needed to be both effective in cost savings and emissions reductions. Patrice Cairns discusses the situation in Northern Ireland in an article on The Irish News website.   Overhaul of energy performance in existing housing stock essential Under … Continue reading Northern Ireland’s unique context, particularly in energy, will require further innovation and a strategic joined up approach to improve energy performance of its buildings

A team of researchers reconstructed the global average temperature over the Holocene Epoch to show the full impact since the industrial revolution started 150 years ago

In little more than 150 years, humans have reversed a 6,000-year pattern of global cooling, a major study into historic temperatures has found. Harry Cockburn explains the results in an article on The Independent website.   Climate change over last 150 years has undone 6,000 years of global cooling, study shows In little more than … Continue reading A team of researchers reconstructed the global average temperature over the Holocene Epoch to show the full impact since the industrial revolution started 150 years ago

Record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste dumped globally last year, says UN report

A record 54m tonnes of “e-waste” was generated worldwide in 2019, up 21% in five years. Worryingly, just 17.4% of the world's discarded electronics was recycled. Damian Carrington discusses the report in an article on The Guardian website. Surely these trends are not sustainable. What are your views?   $10bn of precious metals dumped each … Continue reading Record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste dumped globally last year, says UN report