Blog by Steve Thorne: The Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM) – what has been learned so far… and where is it heading?

The first-ever United Nations global stock take warned that the world is significantly off track in meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement in reaching a maximum of 1.5oC warming by 2050. We need every tool available working at full speed to reduce emissions and secure a liveable future for the planet. A high-integrity voluntary carbon market … Continue reading Blog by Steve Thorne: The Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM) – what has been learned so far… and where is it heading?

Introducing “Climate Impact Auctions”

The need to meet global climate goals has never been more pressing. Greenhouse-gas emissions from low- and middle-income countries, which contribute approximately 72 per cent of current global emissions, must decline without inhibiting development. High-income countries have committed to mobilise US$100 billion annually to support climate action in developing countries. In an article on the … Continue reading Introducing “Climate Impact Auctions”

Energy in Demand News, November 17, 2024

It has been quite a first week at COP29. Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev, defended Azerbaijan’s current exports of gas and plans to expand production told world leaders gathered in his country for COP29 that natural gas was a “gift from God” and he shouldn’t be blamed for bringing it to market. Kicking off the leaders’ … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, November 17, 2024

In search of climate financing

To mobilise the huge sums needed to finance ecological transition and adapt to global warming, several countries, including France, are considering new global taxes. In an article on the Le Monde website, Audrey Garric and Matthieu Goar discuss various options being considered   COP29: From aviation to the super-rich, the search for innovative climate financing … Continue reading In search of climate financing

New report: demands for renewable hydrogen and electricity to drive the EU’s green iron and steel transition

The Stockholm Environment Institute has published a new report on the transition underway in the steel industry. The steel industry is responsible for around 5% of CO2 emissions in the EU and the sector needs to cut carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 to align with climate targets. By applying a scenario analysis, this report … Continue reading New report: demands for renewable hydrogen and electricity to drive the EU’s green iron and steel transition

Climate-tied events cost world $2 trillion in 10 years

Ajit Niranjan writes on the Guardian about a new report from the International Chamber of Commerce that analysed 4,000 climate-related extreme weather events over the past decade. The US suffered greatest economic losses followed by China and India.   Extreme weather cost $2tn globally over past decade, report finds Violent weather cost the world $2tn … Continue reading Climate-tied events cost world $2 trillion in 10 years

Message to new Trump administration: improving energy efficiency is a cornerstone of a stable, competitive, affordable American economy

We have collectively been holding our breath to find out the impact on our energy and climate policies in American following the election on November 5th. Steven Nadel, Executive Director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) provides us with a strong argument of the importance of continuing with energy efficiency measures. The … Continue reading Message to new Trump administration: improving energy efficiency is a cornerstone of a stable, competitive, affordable American economy

Latest report from the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative on the status of the world’s ice stores: at a tipping point for irreversible loss and damage

Over 50 leading cryosphere scientists released their annual report on the status of the world’s ice stores this week at COP29 in Baku, warning of vastly higher impacts and costs to the global economy given accelerating losses in the world’s cryosphere (snow and ice regions). The State of the Cryosphere Report 2024, coordinated by the … Continue reading Latest report from the International Cryosphere Climate Initiative on the status of the world’s ice stores: at a tipping point for irreversible loss and damage

New EEA briefing on placement of offshore wind turbines with consideration of impacts on marine ecosystems

Increased use of wind turbines in coastal zones to provide Europe with renewable energy is a crucial element in decarbonising Europe’s economy and in meeting its climate and energy targets. The placement of these turbines should also carefully consider potential impacts on marine ecosystems, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published this week. … Continue reading New EEA briefing on placement of offshore wind turbines with consideration of impacts on marine ecosystems

Corporate lobbying at COP29

Friday the Guardian reported that there were over 1,700 coal, oil and gas lobbyists granted access to Cop29. It is timely that Christina Toenshoff, Assistant Professor of European Politics and Political Economy, Leiden University has written on The Conversation website for us to better understand what this lobbying is about.   Thousands of corporate lobbyists … Continue reading Corporate lobbying at COP29