In a draft bill released on 13 November, the Spanish government is proposing to ban fossil fuel subsidies and fracking, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030 (37% compared to current levels) and 90% by 2050, boost the share of renewables to 35% (70% of power generation) in 2030 and discourage diesel and petrol cars. Natalie Sauer of Climate Home News portrays the woman behind the plan, ecological transition minister Teresa Ribera, and … [Read more...]
The IEA comes up short on climate (again)
The release of the World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2018 marks another missed opportunity for the International Energy Agency (IEA) to provide a roadmap to Paris, writes Greg Muttitt of NGO Oil Change International. According to Muttitt, even the WEO’s “sustainable development scenario” falls well short of the Paris goals. Policymakers and investors cannot rely on the WEO to guide their decisions in energy. … [Read more...]
Study says no way to decarbonise the gas sector by 2050
Gas industry advocates argue that expansion of gas infrastructure is justified because it will be possible to switch to low-carbon gases such as hydrogen and biomethane in future. But research by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) predicts that biomethane production will remain modest, even with massive subsidies. … [Read more...]
Energy efficiency is more than saving energy: “We need to build a real marketplace”
Energy efficiency experts have come to the conclusion that “selling the business case of energy efficiency on the basis of cost savings is not enough.” If the potential of energy efficiency is to be realised, a real marketplace in projects needs to be built and the “non-energy benefits” of efficiency must be monetised writes Brussels-based journalist Clare Taylor. The European Commission has developed a number of instruments, including a unique … [Read more...]
Coal can’t compete – and its true costs are even higher than they appear
In Texas, income from electricity sales does not even cover the direct costs of coal power plants. But their hidden costs are much higher, explains Daniel Cohen of Rice University in Houston. Courtesy The Conversation. … [Read more...]
Taxing carbon may sound like a good idea but does it work?
Exxon Mobil is financing lobbying for a US plan to tax oil, gas and coal companies for the carbon they emit. But do carbon taxes work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? The evidence is underwhelming and support for the proposal is not down to altruism, says Paul Griffin of the University of California, Davis. In his view, what would impact climate change is for energy companies to disclose their carbon risks and footprints. … [Read more...]
Coal’s cost increase leaves no cause for celebration
Coal’s carbon impact is clear from the fact that it produces 20% of electricity and 65% of EU power sector emissions. But even with EU coal prices at a five-year high, we are unlikely to see short-term European coal emissions reductions. Emissions Trading System prices would have to double to push coal out of the EU electricity mix, says Paul Deane of University College Cork's Environmental Research Institute. … [Read more...]
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