The food and energy sectors are alike in many ways: security, waste, local production, labelling, environmental impact and access are key issues for both. In each case, there is a movement underway taking a holistic value chain approach to create a more secure, sustainable, affordable system. Sonja van Renssen takes away four lessons from the recently held Slow Food Fair in Turin, Italy for the energy sector. … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2014
viEUws VIDEO: Brussels Briefing on Environment – All you need to know for November 2014
In this latest Brussels Briefing on Environment from viEUws.eu, leading environment journalist Sonja van Renssen provides an overview of the latest EU environment policy developments. … [Read more...]
Cheaper and environmentally-safe: the future of Polish shale?
The Polish shale gas sector has met with serious setbacks in recent years, both as a result of disappointing drilling results and disappointing legislation. However, the Polish government will introduce a new hydrocarbon bill that should make drilling more attractive. What is more, a Polish research consortium has developed a new, much cheaper and much more environmentally friendly method of extraction. … [Read more...]
South Australia's renewable energy future
South Australia made headlines around the world when it was announced that the state had been powered by 100% renewable energy for an entire working day. Commentators took it as a proof that a fully renewable future is possible. South Australia, writes Jack Baldwin of the South Australian news service The Lead, demonstrates to the world the benefits of renewable energy. According to Baldwin, there are signs the rest of the country will follow, … [Read more...]
A trip to Kuwait on the prairie: life inside the US oil boom
Today we have an unusual article for you: a first-hand report about daily life in oil boom state North Dakota written by journalist Laura Gottesdiener. This is not perhaps about energy as such – but it is about some of the “external costs” carried by one source of energy production. And it’s a fascinating read! We can publish this article thanks to our cooperation with Tomdispatch.com, where it first appeared. … [Read more...]
Singapore’s push to be Asia’s first LNG trading hub & the uncertain future of the Asian gas market
With demand for LNG rising in Asia and a wave of supplies coming on-stream, long-term point-to-point contracts in the Asian market may give way to more flexible trade patterns and the growth of spot trading. Singapore with its deep water harbour and thriving financial centre is gearing up to become the first LNG trading hub for Asia. Â But success is not guaranteed. Energy reporter Rudolf ten Hoedt reports from Singapore. … [Read more...]
VIDEO: “Environmental protection best served through market”, Potočnik advises
In an exclusive interview with viEUws.eu, Janez PotoÄŤnik – the outgoing European Commissioner for the Environment - discusses how his successor Karmenu Vella could strengthen environmental protection through market instruments and advises the next European Commission on how to use the growth potential of green solutions. … [Read more...]
André Faaij, Energy Academy Europe: “The energy transition has only just begun"
While policymakers and companies generally acknowledge the need for an energy transition, they still underestimate the enormous task that is facing us. The real energy transition, says AndrĂ© Faaij, the new academic director of the Dutch research institute Energy Academy Europe, has yet to start. And, he adds, it will only succeed if it is strongly directed by government policy – preferably coordinated by Brussels – and approached in a … [Read more...]
The EU's great 2030 energy and climate compromise
European leaders agreed new climate and energy targets for 2030 of “at least” 40% greenhouse gas emission reductions, 27% renewables and 27% energy efficiency at a summit in Brussels on 23 October. Central and Eastern European countries led by Poland succeeded in getting substantial financial concessions in return for signing up to the package. Stakeholder reaction ranged from bitter disappointment among NGOs and energy efficiency advocates to … [Read more...]
VIDEO: 5 toughest questions for Maroš Ĺ efÄŤoviÄŤ – European Commissioner for Energy Union
After Alenka Bratušek resigned ahead of the European Parliament’s vote, Jean-Claude Juncker proposed Maroš Ĺ efÄŤoviÄŤÂ as Vice President for Energy Union. Ĺ efÄŤoviÄŤÂ (nominated by Slovakia) had to answer a number of difficult questions during his hearing by the European Parliament’s Committees on Industry, Research & Energy (ITRE) and Environment, Public Health & Food Safety (ENVI) on 20 October. viEUws.eu produced a comprehensive video … [Read more...]
Understanding the Polish anti-climate crusade
However much the Polish Government says the EU can’t commit to higher emissions reduction without similar efforts by its other big economies, only naĂŻve western-European negotiators would believe this is the reason for Poland’s anti-climate position. The 2030 climate and energy package will be unwelcome in Poland as long as coal drives our politics, argue Marcin Stoczkiewicz and llona JÄ™drasik of the Polish NGO ClientEarth. … [Read more...]
VIDEO: “2030 climate and energy package vital to EU’s energy security” stresses European Commission
Marie Donnelly - Director for Energy Transition at the European Commission - speaks with viEUws.eu's energy journalist Hughes Belin about the EU climate and energy goals for 2030 and discusses the implications of the 2030 package for the European Union’s energy security, ahead of the European Council meeting on 23 and 24 October. … [Read more...]
Don’t get too excited, no one has cracked nuclear fusion yet
Aerospace giant Lockheed Martin’s recent announcement that it could make small-scale nuclear fusion power a reality in the next decade has understandably generated excitement in the media. Physicists, however, aren’t getting their hopes up just yet, writes Matthew Hole, Australia’s representative on the IAEA International Fusion Research Council of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Chair of the Australian ITER Forum. … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Brussels Briefing on Energy: All you need to know for October 2014
For viEUws.eu leading energy journalist Hughes Belin provides an overview of the European Union’s most pressing energy issues: … [Read more...]
Brussels gives first glimpse of what it means by “Energy Union”
Career diplomat Maroš Ĺ efÄŤoviÄŤ from Slovakia gave the first glimpse of what the EU's "Energy Union" may look like during his hearing at the European Parliament on Monday night for the post of Europe’s Vice President Energy Union. Ĺ efÄŤoviÄŤ believes in common purchasing of gas and the Southern Corridor (but opposes South Stream), regards the internal market as the backbone of the Energy Union, supports the UK’s state aid to the nuclear power plant … [Read more...]