The German Energiewende is a heroic but – as it’s conceived now – increasingly disordered effort for unshackling industrial society from the chains of fossil fuels. Due to mistaken assumptions and unrealistic scheduling, it is now confronted with persistent obstacles. The new Merkel government has introduced some changes, but they won’t be enough to sustain the Energiewende, argues independent energy consultant (and renewable energy sympathizer) … [Read more...]
VIDEO: EU pins hopes on 2016 for global airline emissions deal
Sonja van Renssen, leading environment journalist at viEUws.eu, talks to Member of the European Parliament Peter Liese, rapporteur on Aviation in the EU ETS, about the provisional agreement on including aviation in the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). On the 4th of March, the European Parliament, Council and European Commission reached a provisional agreement on ETS rules for aviation, which will restrict the scheme to intra-European … [Read more...]
EU deeply divided over 2030 climate and energy policy
Thirteen member states want the EU to agree on the broad outlines of a 2030 climate and energy policy as soon as possible. But at least four call for the EU not to “rush” into anything – they argue all decisions should be put on hold until UN climate talks in Paris in 2015. That was the main outcome of the EU environment and energy ministers meeting this week. European Heads of State and government will meet in Brussels on 20-21st March to talk … [Read more...]
Three signs of retreat in the global war on climate change
A series of recent developments "highlight the way the world is losing ground in the epic struggle to slow global warming", writes Michael Klare. One of them is what he calls the "evident slackening in Europe’s climate commitment". According to Klare, "the pressures to keep burning fossil fuels are too great to be overcome in piecemeal fashion.  Rather, these forces must be met head-on, with the institutionalization of equally powerful … [Read more...]
HSBC: EU’s new climate policy unambitious, bad news for renewables
Europe’s climate policy proposals reflect the lowest level of ambition required to keep global warming at 2°C, while its goals on renewable energy are “disappointing” and bad news for the industry, according to a new report by banking giant HSBC. The report also sees “increasing downside risks” for offshore wind. Sophie Vorrath of Reneweconomy.com.au has the story. … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Brussels Briefing on Environment – All you need to know for the month of February 2014
Sonja van Renssen, leading environment journalist at viEUws.eu, provides an overview of the latest developments in the field of European Environment Policy. Topics discussed include: - The 2030 Climate & Energy Framework (greenhouse gas emissions, renewables & energy efficiency) - Green light for first reform to the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) - The proposal for market stability reserve - Member states negotiating over how … [Read more...]
Interview IEA Director Maria van der Hoeven: “Expansion of gas use no panacea for climate change”
Maria van der Hoeven, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) believes that unconventional gas can be produced in an environmentally acceptable way, but warns that an expansion of gas alone “is no panacea for climate change”. In an interview with James Stafford, editor of Oilprice.com, Van der Hoeven discusses a wide range of important energy issues, ranging from the role of gas, renewables and nuclear power to the necessity … [Read more...]
European Parliament votes for three targets, calls Commission short-sighted
MEPs called on Wednesday for a 40% cut in CO2 emissions, a 30% target for renewable energy and a 40% target for energy efficiency by 2030, under the EU's new long-term climate-change policy. These targets should be binding, they say. MEPs also criticised the European Commission's recent proposals as short-sighted and unambitious. Parliament calls on the Commission and EU countries, in its resolution adopted on Wednesday by 341 votes to 263, … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Brussels Briefing on Energy – All you need to know for the month of February 2014
Hughes Belin, leading journalist at viEUws.eu, provides an overview of the European Union’s most pressing energy issues: - The 2030 Climate & Energy Framework (emission reduction and renewables target) - Postponed measures on energy efficiency - Coming up: the European Council will discuss the Commission’s proposals on the 2030 Climate & Energy Framework on March 20 and 21 - Outcome of the reports on the drivers of energy costs and … [Read more...]
Changing landscapes not global warming to blame for increased flood risk
Major flood events occur around the world every year, but with international loss databases documenting increased incidents of flooding, more material loss and greater fatality rates, are these events on the increase, and are they getting worse? A new study published in Hydrological Sciences Journal examines the key reasons for increasing frequency and severity of floods; considering whether this is due to improved reporting by the media, an … [Read more...]
VIDEO: “Special rules needed for energy intensive industries”, argues E.ON CEO
Sonja van Renssen, leading environment and climate journalist at viEUws.eu, is joined by Dr. Johannes Teyssen, CEO of E.ON and President of Eurelectric to discuss the potential for competitivenesswithin the 2030 Energy and Climate Framework. Dr. Johannes Teyssen argues that competitiveness and the 2030 climate and energy strategy are not contradicting each other: “If climate policy is implemented efficiently, it can go alongside … [Read more...]
How warm is it really?
NASA and the NOAA in the US have just released their official 2013 global temperature records. You can find them by clicking on this link. The critics of the global warming theory will note that the "pause" in global warming continues. Defenders of the theory will note that 2013 was among the ten warmest years on record. Again, the critics will note that the extent of Antarctic ice was considerably higher than average. The defenders will … [Read more...]
Brussels confines climate policy to emission reduction and emission trading
The European Commission’s 2030 climate and energy package unveiled on 22January confines itself to two main proposals: a 40% binding greenhouse gas emission reduction target and legislative reform of the EU Emission Trading Scheme. Significantly, it does not include post-2020 national renewable energy targets or new energy efficiency targets. It also drops the fuel quality directive which underpins the use of biofuels in the transport sector. The … [Read more...]
VIDEO: 2030 Climate and Energy Framework “will foster innovation”, claims Climate Commissioner Hedegaard
Sonja van Renssen, leading environment and climate journalist at viEUws.eu, is joined by Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard for an exclusive interview on the interaction between competitiveness and the 2030 Energy and Climate Framework. Hedegaard explains why climate policy should not be blamed for de-industrialisation and hampering competitiveness. “Energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors, were among the sectors that created more jobs … [Read more...]
Peak oil is dead. Long live peak oil!
Peak oil theory has been replaced with a new theory that might be called “techno-dynamism”. It holds that there is no limit to the amount of oil as long as the industry can apply its technological wizardry to oil production. However, there are three problems with this theory: technology costs keep going up, political and environmental risk keeps mounting, and climate policies will suppress demand which will in turn discourage invesment. The … [Read more...]
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