Focusing on energy demand reduction clearly presents the lowest mitigation challenges and provides huge potential mitigation impacts

A team of international researchers, including scientists at the University of Leeds, have used 7,000 studies from across the globe to develop a list of the most effective changes to household consumption to cut our carbon footprints. Harry Cockburn explains in an article on The Independent website. Two years of vegan living cancelled out … Continue reading Focusing on energy demand reduction clearly presents the lowest mitigation challenges and provides huge potential mitigation impacts →

A solution to reducing methane emissions from cattle

Cattle produce more methane than many large countries. A solution could be an ecological and financial breakthrough — and a Swiss biotech company may be on the cusp. Latest developments are discussed by Adam Satariano in an article on the New York Times website. The Business of Burps: Scientists Smell Profit in Cow Emissions … Continue reading A solution to reducing methane emissions from cattle →

Estimating the number of lives saved due to the spectacular drop in air pollution

A European research centre has calculated that the levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particles fell by 40% and 10% respectively in April. In France, 1,230 deaths have been prevented. Stéphane Mandard explains in an article on Le Monde website. By reducing air pollution, isolation would have saved 11,000 deaths in Europe in one … Continue reading Estimating the number of lives saved due to the spectacular drop in air pollution →

Japanese government urged to reconsider its ”disappointing” proposals to cut GHG emissions and adopt a more “ambitious” stance

Samuel Lovett writes on The Independent website about the lack of ambition in Japan’s latest targets that remain unchanged from first commitments made five years ago under Paris Agreement. Japan’s latest climate change plans criticised as ‘feeble’ and ‘shameful’ Japan’s new proposals for fighting climate change have been described as “feeble” and “shameful”, after … Continue reading Japanese government urged to reconsider its ”disappointing” proposals to cut GHG emissions and adopt a more “ambitious” stance →

The time window for halving global emissions has narrowed: in 2010, the world thought it had 30 years to halve global GHG emissions; today, we know that this must happen in ten years

At the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, countries set goals that require halving carbon emissions by 2030. In a new piece in Nature, Professor Harald Winkler, from the University of Cape Town (and a friend of EiD), as part of an international team, delivers the bad news that the emissions gap - … Continue reading The time window for halving global emissions has narrowed: in 2010, the world thought it had 30 years to halve global GHG emissions; today, we know that this must happen in ten years →

Even the best airlines are not doing anywhere near enough to reduce their carbon footprint

In a week when a court decision has halted the expansion of Heathrow Airport in London because climate change had not been factored in, it is useful to review what airlines are doing to reduce their carbon footprint. Susanne Becken, Professor of Sustainable Tourism and Director, Griffith Institute for Tourism at Griffith University gives a … Continue reading Even the best airlines are not doing anywhere near enough to reduce their carbon footprint →

Views from industry about recent reports from the IEA

It is good to hear what the chemical industry has to say about recent IEA reports. Amanda Jasi writes a good article on the Chemical Engineer website. IEA calls for ‘bold’ action to achieve emissions savings through energy efficiency Energy efficiency can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but with efficiency improvements slowing, policy makers … Continue reading Views from industry about recent reports from the IEA →

Transport in Australia: vehicle emissions are still rising

Royce Kurmelovs gives a good account in an article in The Guardian why emissions from vehicles are still rising in Australia. Policy inertia is mentioned. With the current wild fires and drought in Australia, hopefully that will change. What is the situation in your country? Wrong turn: why Australia's vehicle emissions are rising “An … Continue reading Transport in Australia: vehicle emissions are still rising →

How GHG emissions can be lowered for shipping

It seems so logical but a recent study shows the significant impact on reducing GHG emissions inshipping simply by sailing slower. Josh Barrie explains in an article on the i news website. Even the Dutch are now having speeds reduced for vehicles on motorways. Making ships go 20% slower could cut greenhouse gases and … Continue reading How GHG emissions can be lowered for shipping →

Organic farming results in an increase in GHG emissions

Many extol the benefits of organic food and, yes, there are many. But a recent study in England Wales shows that organic farming also leads to an increase in GHG emissions. Phoebe Weston explains in an article on The Independent website. Organic farming produces more emissions because it takes up more land, study finds … Continue reading Organic farming results in an increase in GHG emissions →