The EU needs a new approach to long-term climate strategy to ensure that EU climate policy is brought in line with the goals of Paris and takes into account recent technological and political changes, write Andrei Marcu of the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and Georg Zachmann of think tank Bruegel. According to Marcu and Zachmann, climate policy can only succeed if it does not come out of a bureaucratic âblack … [Read more...]
Decarbonising heavy industry can’t be done without large-scale CCS effort
The decarbonisation will require a profound transformation, writes David Hone, Chief Climate Change Advisor at Shell. Shellâs Sky climate scenario shows it can't be done without large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS). A new initiative should boost progress on CCS. … [Read more...]
Europe aims to have 300 smart cities by end of next year
With the help of the Smart Cities and Communities European Innovation Partnership (EIP SCC), 78 cities in Europe have undertaken smart city development. The EIP-SCC aims at a critical mass of 300 smart cities by the end of 2019, according to Andreea Strachinescu of the European Commission. The most difficult part, she says, is not the renovation of individual buildings, but the systems integration. The next step: positive energy districts. … [Read more...]
Why there is so much aggressive bidding at renewables auctions â and what the risks are
Renewable energy auctions have seen very low prices in many parts of the world. Why do auctions seem to be so effective in driving down costs â and what are the risks? Ana Amazo-Blanco, Silvana Tiedemann of Navigant[1], and Dr. Stephen Tay and Monika Bieri of SERIS looked at a solar PV rooftop auction in Singapore and an offshore wind auction in Germany to discover the key factors behind the bids and suggest how project developers can make sure … [Read more...]
Has the European Commission tamed the Russian gas bear?
The European Commissionâs decision on 24 May to impose âbinding obligations on Gazprom to enable free flow of gas at competitive pricesâ â but no fine â is seen by some observers as a victory for Gazprom. Others take a more positive view. Meanwhile, a new report from IHS Markit claims Europe is on the point of becoming fully integrated into the global gas market, making worries about dependence on Russian gas â and Nord Stream 2 â unnecessary. … [Read more...]
Commissionâs gas market proposal is an attempt to gain more control of energy policy
The European Commissionâs proposed amendment to the Gas Directive is viewed by many as an attempt to block Nord Stream 2. But according to Danila Bochkarev, Senior Fellow, EastWest Institute, the Commission is thinking further ahead: it is using the proposal to try to increase its power over the EU energy market. … [Read more...]
Electric buses can save local governments billions – China’s showing how it’s done
New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco - America's largest cities are switching their entire bus fleets from diesel to electric. They will save money in the long run, but how to overcome upfront financing hurdles? According to Silvio Marcacci of think tank Energy Innovation, Shenzhen in China, which has the world's first 100% all-electric bus fleet, provides useful lessons. Â … [Read more...]
A common goal for all sustainability advocates
Nothing is better for fossil fuel interests than current government policies supporting wind, solar and electric cars, writes independent researcher Schalk Cloete. These green technologies won't reduce fossil fuel consumption sufficiently for a long time to come, so the fossil fuel sector will be able to survive that much longer. In the third and last part of a series on green technology-forcing, Cloete calls on all sustainability advocates to … [Read more...]
If solar panels are so clean, why do they produce so much toxic waste?
The disposal of used solar panels is a huge and growing problem that is not being sufficiently addressed, writes Michael Shellenberger, founder of the pro-nuclear citizens movement Environmental Progress (EP). He argues that a fee should be imposed on solar panels which should go into a fund to pay for recyling and clean-up. … [Read more...]
Planned Kosovo lignite power plant fails to commit to cleaner technologies
London-listed, global energy investor ContourGlobal portrays its plans for a new coal power plant in Kosovo as a step towards cleaner air, but its legal agreement with the government shows that it fails to commit to best-in-class environmental performance, writes energy finance consultant Gerard Wynn. Courtesy Energy and Carbon blog. … [Read more...]
Big Oil pivots to electricity, Total leads the way
Most big oil companies are considering how they can change their focus from oil to gas and renewables. Leading the way is French oil major Total, writes Fereidoon Sioshansi, publisher of newsletter EEnergy Informer. … [Read more...]
Is offshore wind about to hit cost-competitiveness in the U.S.?
Offshore wind may seem like a pricey option, but itâs actually an extremely valuable investment, writes Mike OâBoyle of San Francisco-based think tank Energy Innovation. According to a new analysis, the market value of electricity generated by offshore wind will soon exceed its cost in New York and several New England states. … [Read more...]
The plethora of better alternatives to wind and solar power and electric cars
Technology neutrality can activate more than ten times greater sustainable development potential than current technology-forcing policies, writes independent researcher Schalk Cloete. In the second part of a series which follows an article about the dangers of technology-forcing of wind and solar power and battery electric vehicles, Cloete reviews eight alternative sustainable development solutions that he believes have greater climate mitigation … [Read more...]
11 ways the Paris climate deal is working in the real world
As climate talks stall, itâs clear the UN process is no longer the major driving force of the climate transition, write Soila Apparicio, Megan Darby and Karl Mathiesen of Climate Home News. While diplomates are negotiating the complex rules of the Paris deal, businesses, researchers, governments and citizens are coming up with new ways to move the climate to a safer place. Courtesy: Climate Home News … [Read more...]
Polandâs stunning e-mobility plans
The Polish government has adopted a new law on electromobility aimed at turning Poland into an e-mobility leader in Europe. The country wants to have 1 million EVs on the road by 2025 (Download position paper here). Already home to electric bus manufacturing plants and a big EV battery plant, Poland is set to become the motor for electrifying transport in Europe. âWe are really pioneersâ, says Marta GajÄcka, Head of Energy Advisors to the … [Read more...]
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