Global renewable electricity energy capacity rose to a new record level last year â more than 1,560 gigawatts (GW), up 8% from 2012. More than 22 % of the worldâs power production now comes from renewable sources. Renewables currently meet almost one-fifth of world final energy consumption. That is one of the conclusion of the new Renewables Global Status Report published by REN21, "the global renewable energy policy multi-stakeholder … [Read more...]
Search results for Climate Policy Tags
Interview Fatih Birol, IEA: âGradual change will not save usâ
The latest major report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Energy Technology Perspectives 2014, states that âradical action is needed to actively transform energy supply and end useâ. In an interview with Energy Post, the IEAâs renowned Chief Economist Fatih Birol notes that governments in particular have to take action. âYou cannot change trends by giving some lectures or speeches. Policymakers should put in place real economic … [Read more...]
How to design a successful auction for renewable energy projects
In its new State Aid guidelines, the European Commission presents auctioning as the standard procedure for allocating support for renewable energy. Member States may deviate from this rule, but only for very good reasons. Although auctioning can in theory be a useful instrument, experience all over the world shows mixed results. It is crucial that auctions are adapted to the specific market context. If not, they will deliver sub-optimal results … [Read more...]
After the goldrush: Japanâs second solar boom
A first gold rush driven by generous subsidies led to an uncontrolled boom in solar power projects in Japan, of which, however, only a very small percentage actually got built. Now, however, the government has taken charge and serious developers are entering the market. The liberalisation of the Japanese retail market in 2016 is expected to give another boost to solar power, as consumers will likely drive demand for renewable energy. The Japanese … [Read more...]
What oil companies do is bad for the climate. But it may also be bad for investors
Climate campaigners have a new weapon in their arsenal: they say that if shareholders want value for money they had better start questioning the high-risk, high-cost projects oil companies are undertaking on a massive scale. And not just because of climate risks, but for purely economic reasons as well. The Carbon Tracker Initiative, which first put the idea of âstranded assetsâ on the map (i.e. the notion that a large part of the fossil fuel … [Read more...]
Time for real change: Ukraine crisis shows bankruptcy of âsecurity-as-usualâ
Polandâs proposal to reduce the EUâs energy dependence on Russia by collective buying of gas and maximising domestic production of coal shows a reactive, âsecurity-as-usualâ approach that is totally behind the times, writes Luca Bergamaschi of think tank E3G. According to Bergamaschi, the EU should instead improve its energy security by radically reforming its energy system, above all by improving energy efficiency. Studies show that Germany … [Read more...]
Leaked doc: David Cameronâs plans to make the EU fit UK energy policy
After Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, itâs David Cameronâs turn to seize the moment and promote a vision for EU energy security that neatly fits the UKâs own energy objectives. In a leaked ânon-paperâ seen by Energy Post the UK Prime Minister sets out what he wants EU leaders to agree at their next summit in Brussels in June. Cameron calls for energy security to be embedded in the EUâs 2030 climate and energy package, full freedom to develop … [Read more...]
You cannot compare apples with climate policies: why there is no Modelgate in Brussels
The European Commission has recently suggested a new greenhouse gas reduction target for 2030 that is perceived as too low by many NGOs. Moreover, some claim that the Commission has hidden the fact that higher emission reductions than proposed would lead to GDP gains. Brigitte Knopf from the Potsdam-Institute for Climate Impact Research argues that GDP gains are a very specific finding with a non-standard model and that emission targets can only … [Read more...]
Welcome to Modelgate: Brusselsâ justification for a small climate target is based on a big lie
The European Commission has recommended a low greenhouse gas reduction target for 2030, because it says that higher targets would hurt the European economy. But according to its own impact assessment, the opposite is true, writes Brook Riley of Friends of the Earth Europe. According to Riley, the Commissionâs impact assessment shows that a more ambitious target has a more positive impact on GDP than a less ambitious one. … [Read more...]
A story of ice and fire: how methane hydrates could change the world
A recent technological breakthrough in Japan might soon render economically viable the large-scale exploitation of methane hydrates. The potential of this new (and global) form of unconventional natural gas is mind-blowing. Although a number of countries have already displayed strong interest in exploring their reserves, Japan is most likely to lead this new âdash for gasâ. It has already made the development of methane hydrates an important … [Read more...]
Professor Ye Qiâs inside view on Chinese climate policy: âThere is no way we can peak in 2015â
Although China is tackling climate change and air pollution in a serious way, there is no way the countryâs greenhouse gas emissions will peak anytime soon, says the influential Chinese climate scientist Professor Ye Qi in an interview with Energy Post. Professor Qi, who is Director of Chinaâs Climate Policy Institute School of Public Policy and Management â part  of Tsinghua University â and responsible for the publication of an important annual … [Read more...]
Chinaâs continuing renewable energy revolution: global implications
Chinaâs renewable energy revolution is powering ahead, with the year 2013 marking an important inflection point where the scales tipped more towards electric power generated from water, wind and solar than from fossil fuels and nuclear. This means that its energy security is being enhanced, while carbon emissions from the power sector can be expected to soon start to fall. … [Read more...]
ExxonMobil releases report on stranded carbon asset risks
Climate activists are increasingly putting pressure on investors to withdraw investments from major fossil fuel companies, on the grounds that these companies' "carbon assets" are likely to be "stranded" in the future as the effects of climate change become too far-reaching for policymakers to ignore. In that event, the activists argue, the oil and other fossil fuel companies will not be allowed anymore to exploit their assets, which would leave … [Read more...]
Climate change: engineers more important than governments
The incoming president of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), professor Geoff Maitland, is calling on engineers to take a leading role in the battle against climate change, and the transition to low carbon, renewable energies. Global energy consumption is expected to grow by over 50 percent by 2040 with fossil fuels continuing to dominate, providing up to 80 per cent of energy needs1. Over the same period, carbon dioxide … [Read more...]
EU, in search of an energy strategy, clutches at US âsecurityâ
European access to US liquid natural gas (LNG) exports would be âmuch easierâ with a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) in place, US President Barack Obama said at an EU-US summit in Brussels on 26 March, at which energy concerns took centre stage. But the real energy action is likely to take place next week at the EU-US Energy Council on 2 April, when the EUâs High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton and Energy … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- …
- 48
- Next Page »