Ireland falls short in its level of ambition for the low-carbon energy transition

EU member states have submitted their draft national energy and climate plans and the one from Ireland gets bad marks in an assessment made by the Climate Action Network. The report concludes Ireland’s plan “does not demonstrate high ambition on energy savings and renewable energy, indicating a lack of focus in their actions for the … Continue reading Ireland falls short in its level of ambition for the low-carbon energy transition →

Manhattan looking to have congestion charge by 2021

John Rennie Short, Professor, School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County writes on The Conversation website about the plan for a congestion charge in Manhattan, an approach already used in London, Singapore and Stockholm.   New York gets serious about traffic with the first citywide US congestion pricing plan After years … Continue reading Manhattan looking to have congestion charge by 2021 →

Renewable energy versus carbon capture technology in the energy transition

Ben McAllister writes on the Naked Scientists website that Renewable energy combined with power storage offers a better pathway to tackle climate change than implementing carbon capturing technologies at fossil fuel plants, according to a new study. What are your views?   Renewable energy trumps carbon capture Renewable energy combined with power storage offers a … Continue reading Renewable energy versus carbon capture technology in the energy transition →

Understanding the energy transition in Texas

Texas is one of those interesting regions where there are competing views of the energy system and the energy transition. Steve Hanley discusses latest developments in an article on the CleanTechnica website.   Renewable Energy Advocates Learn To Not Say “Climate Change” In Texas Renewable energy, particularly wind power, has been hugely successful in Texas, … Continue reading Understanding the energy transition in Texas →

There are plenty of economic reasons to change our gas-guzzling habits

Electric vehicles are in the news almost daily. Are they a game changer? Gail Broadbent and Graciela Metternicht from the University of New South Wales write about the economic benefits that are already there. Do you agree?   Don't trust the environmental hype about electric vehicles? The economic benefits might convince you With electric cars … Continue reading There are plenty of economic reasons to change our gas-guzzling habits →

New research shows impact of traffic pollution on increased cases of asthma amongst children

Natasha Hinde writes on the Huffington Post website about a new study that shows the serious impact on the health of children because of emissions from road transport.   Traffic Pollution Linked To 1 In 5 New Asthma Cases Among Kids In The UK One in five new childhood asthma cases in the UK could … Continue reading New research shows impact of traffic pollution on increased cases of asthma amongst children →

Latest on Germany’s energy transition

Germany could fall 10 points short of a deadline to cut emissions by 40% from 1990 levels. Austin Davis and Jens Thurau write on the Deutsche Welle website about latest developments.   Lofty goals of German 'climate cabinet' met with scepticism Germany's "climate cabinet" convenes as protests grow, fines for noncompliance loom and political impasses … Continue reading Latest on Germany’s energy transition →

The impact of energy performance certificates

What is your experience with EPCs? Ten years after their introduction DECs and EPCs provide a fascinating snapshot of the state of the UK’s building stock even if compliance is still far from perfect. Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, explains in an article in the April 2019 issue of Energy in … Continue reading The impact of energy performance certificates →

Problems continue to plague the rollout of smart meters in the UK

One day we may read a good story about the rollout of smart meters. Citizens Advice still believe they will bring benefits to consumers but so far they haven’t happened. Felicity Hannah explains in an article on the Independent website. What are your views? What is happening in your country?   We're all missing out … Continue reading Problems continue to plague the rollout of smart meters in the UK →