Achieving long-term climate objectives will require major paradigm shift

While we have been ramping up our ambition to reduce GHG emissions, as shown by the Paris climate agreement, significantly more is needed. Jason Hickel, an anthropologist at the London School of Economics, writes a sobering article in The Guardian that we have to re-think our entire approach. What do you think?   The Paris … Continue reading Achieving long-term climate objectives will require major paradigm shift →

New briefing from European Environment Agency on breaches in air pollution ceilings

Eleven EU Member States breached air pollution ceilings in 2015 mostly due to high emissions from agricultural and transport sources, according to new data and a briefing released today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The briefing includes information on countries’ 2015 emissions and national ceilings for different pollutants.   Air pollution in Europe: Countries … Continue reading New briefing from European Environment Agency on breaches in air pollution ceilings →

Analysis based on “pure fantasy” to compare coal and renewable energy costs

Australia, a major resource producer, has been struggling to determine its future path in a sustainable energy future. Giles Parkinson writes on the reneweconomy website that the battle continues over the estimated future costs between coal and renewable energy. No doubt we have not heard the end of this. No one said the transition would … Continue reading Analysis based on “pure fantasy” to compare coal and renewable energy costs →

Latest update on climate finance for adaptation

The SDG Knowledge Hub of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides the June update on global developments in climate finance for adaptation.   Climate Finance Update – Adaptation: Disaster and Climate Risks in Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism in the Spotlight During the month of June, measures aimed at adaptation and improved resilience to … Continue reading Latest update on climate finance for adaptation →

Chairman’s Conclusions: Think local first: designing an EU buildings policy framework centred on consumers, local authorities and energy advisory services to deliver on Europe’s renovation challenge

A policy roundtable, organised by the PUBLENEF project through one of the consortium organisations (Energy Cities) and the Energy Advice Exchange, was held on June 20th in Brussels during the EU Sustainable Energy Week in order to further explore the key role and importance of local authorities and energy advisory services in Europe’s energy efficiency … Continue reading Chairman’s Conclusions: Think local first: designing an EU buildings policy framework centred on consumers, local authorities and energy advisory services to deliver on Europe’s renovation challenge →

We need to get smarter in how we use our water resources

As we look at resource efficiency in a more comprehensive manner, there is a need to address how we use water. Dragan Savic, Professor of Hydroinformatics at the University of Exeter provides a good article on The Conversation website   Why the world needs to get smarter about water consumption In 1900, just 15% of … Continue reading We need to get smarter in how we use our water resources →

Cities adapting to climate change in Canada

As Canadians are feeling the impact of climate change, there is a need for greater action at the local level. Malcolm Araos, James Ford and Stephanie Austin explain in an article on The Conversation website. Climate change is making cities sick and we need to act Urban Canadians are feeling the impact of climate change. … Continue reading Cities adapting to climate change in Canada →

Rhode Island highlights problems with public funds for energy efficiency

Paul Roselli writes on the RI Future website about the decision to remove some of the budget for energy efficiency because the state lost money from removing the car tax from state income. This is quite worrying. Do you know of other such examples?   Energy efficiency fund raided to balance budget: $12.5 million of … Continue reading Rhode Island highlights problems with public funds for energy efficiency →

More evidence of important role of local governments to address global problems

It is encouraging to see the actions at the local level to address climate change. The Paris climate conference was valuable in raising the awareness of the challenge we face. Luc Soete, Professorial Fellow at United Nations University writes a good account of these activities in an article on The Conversation website.   Cities rally … Continue reading More evidence of important role of local governments to address global problems →