Behind the heated debate in Brussels about climate and renewable energy targets, what is really happening is that concern over high energy prices has taken precedence over climate concerns in Europe. Competitiveness has caught up with climate policy. Indeed, the two issues have become so intertwined that when the European Commission will present its new climate and energy policy on 22 January, it will at the same time launch a new industrial … [Read more...]
The five global implications of shale oil and gas
Much has been said about the shale (oil and gas) revolution, but according to Christof RĂĽhl, Group Chief Economist and Vice-President of BP, its real implications have yet to sink in. He points out, for example, that no detailed assessment has been made yet of its macro-economic impacts. In this wide-ranging analysis, RĂĽhl – one of the world’s most influential energy economists – discusses some of the major implications of shale. He notes that as … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Top 5 EU Environment Priorities – All you need to know for 2014
Sonja van Renssen, leading environment journalist at viEUws.eu, takes a pick at the top 5 environment issues that will be discussed by the EU institutions under the Greek Presidency. The biggest issue on the agenda will be the climate and energy package to be unveiled by the European Commission on January 22nd. ETS and how to include emissions from international aviation will also be high on the agenda, with the European Parliament and … [Read more...]
Investment funds not prepared for climate risk
The second ever Global Climate Investment Index, which demonstrates how the world’s biggest investors are managing climate risk, reveals that many investment funds are setting investors up for massive losses due to their exposure to climate risks. At the same time, the Asset Owners Disclosure Project’s 2013/14 (AODP) shows that the world’s investment system is capable of driving the low carbon transition. The Asset Owners Disclosure Project’s … [Read more...]
VIDEO: “Europe needs to adjust its climate policy”, claims Polish Climate Secretary of State
Hughes Belin, leading environment journalist at viEUws.eu, is joined by Marcin Korolec, Polish Secretary of State for Climate to discuss the outcome of the COP19 negotiations - the 19th Conference of Partners of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - in Warsaw and theEuropean Union’s perspective on tackling climate change. Poland’s Secretary of State for Climate is also the president of the UN climate talks until the next … [Read more...]
Interview EU Climate Chief Connie Hedegaard: “Climate policy cannot be based on emission reduction alone”
The European Union should adopt EU-wide targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency for 2030, says Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard in an interview with Energy Post. She rejects pleas from the energy sector to base EU climate policy solely on CO2 emission reduction targets. She does note, however, that there has been a tendency to “overcompensate” renewable energy, i.e. too generous subsidies. “It was never the plan to subsidise … [Read more...]
IRENA presents unique overview of renewable energy costs
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has launched a “unique web portal dedicated to renewable energy cost analysis.” The portal provides access to IRENA’s data and analysis at no cost to users. “IRENA has developed the most current and comprehensive global database of renewable energy project costs available to the public. Our new portal makes this resource available for policy makers, businesses and the renewable energy community … [Read more...]
VIDEO: EU Climate Commissioner supports renewables & efficiency targets
Sonja van Renssen, leading environment journalist at viEUws.eu, is joined by Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard for an exclusive interview on the 2030 climate and energy debate. In this interview, Commissioner Hedegaard insists on the importance of keeping renewables and efficiency targets. Moreover, the Commissioner stresses that the future lies with a more integrated energy policy at European Union level. For her, “pricing is essential” and … [Read more...]
WTO should go for Global Green Growth trade deal
The trade facilitation agreement reached by the WTO last Saturday is only a modest step towards a global trade deal. What the world needs now, writes John Mathews, is a Global Green Growth trade deal that would not only enhance the stature of the WTO, but would deliver huge investment in green growth – and far more secure cuts in carbon emissions than any Kyoto-style agreement could ever achieve. … [Read more...]
VIDEO: “ETS should be the only climate target”, argues Eon CEO Johannes Teyssen
Sonja van Renssen, leading environment journalist at viEUws.eu, is joined by Dr. Johannes Teyssen, CEO of Eon to discuss the current situation of Europe’s energy sector. Regarding the 2030 climate and energy package, Teyssen calls for simpler objectives and says that the ETS (Emission Trading Scheme) target should be the only target, even though it had been struggling with low carbon prices. Everything else should be left to the market and … [Read more...]
Interview with Johannes Teyssen, CEO of Eon: “Renewables can become biggest without subsidies”
Dr Johannes Teyssen, CEO of Eon and President of Eurelectric, doesn’t beat about the bush: in an exclusive interview with Energy Post, he says that Europe needs a single climate target for 2030 of “between 40% and 50%” emission reduction. At the same time all energy subsidies and “green levies” should go. Renewables “have all the chance in the world to take the biggest chunk of the market” even without subsidies. The European Commission should … [Read more...]
Shanghai and Beijing launch carbon markets
This week, both Beijing, China’s national capital, and Shanghai its leading financial city, launched pilot emissions trading systems. These pilots will run for two years, until the end of 2015. They join the city of Shenzhen, on the Hong Kong border, which launched a pilot carbon market in June this year. Guangdong, Hubei, Tianjin and Chongqing are also planning to launch pilot emissions trading systems in the near future. In a press release … [Read more...]
The UK energy confusion: good policies, shame about the politics
To outside observers, UK energy policy must seem to be hopelessly confused and the energy sector in a mess. Actually, the problem is not so much the policies, writes Stephen Tindale, associate fellow at the Centre for European Reform. They make a lot of sense and may lead the country to a secure and low-carbon energy future. The problem is the politics – populist proposals create confusion and may undo the good work that is being done. Earlier … [Read more...]
Energy heavyweight Joan MacNaughton: “Adaptation is a cop-out”
Joan MacNaughton, President of the Energy Institute and a highly influential figure in the international energy policymaking world, calls on “the big CO2 emitters” in the world to take unilateral action to reduce CO2 emissions. Countries that refuse to get along, should be penalised through import duties or carbon taxes, suggests MacNaughton. The current talk about “adaptation” to climate change, says MacNaughton, is a “cop-out”. Energy Post … [Read more...]
The battle over the world’s largest wealth fund – and what it means for the energy sector
A broad movement has emerged in Norway to get the country’s $720 billion sovereign wealth fund to invest in renewable energy. According to Terje Osmundsen, blogger and Senior Vice President of Scatec Solar, a globally leading solar power provider, such a change in strategy would have far-reaching effects on the global energy market. Not only directly, but also indirectly as Norway’s fund is seen as a model by other SWF’s. Meanwhile, pressure is … [Read more...]