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...]
Search results for Climate Policy Tags
WWF: Groundbreaking analysis shows China’s renewable energy future within reach
By embracing conservation measures and renewable energy, China can transition to an 80 percent renewable electric power system by 2050 at far less cost than continuing to rely on coal, according to a new report from WWF-US. As a result, China’s carbon emissions from power generation could be 90 percent less than currently projected levels in 2050 without compromising the reliability of the electric grid or slowing economic growth. The … [Read more...]
World Energy Council: Price volatility greater concern than climate change framework
High energy price volatility has for the first time replaced global climate framework as the number-one critical uncertainty driving the world energy agenda, according to the 2014 World Energy Issues Monitor, released on Tuesday 18 February by the World Energy Council (WEC). Global climate framework uncertainty,while still is akeyuncertainty, is now perceived by energy leaders to have less impact than in the previous three years of the study. … [Read more...]
EU’s global cleantech leadership at risk
The EU still leads the world in clean energy technologies, but for how long? In 2012, 70% of new wind power capacity and 40% of new photovoltaic panels were installed outside Europe. Brussels has shied away from new national renewables targets in its 2030 climate and energy proposals. It is preparing fresh rules on state aid that will disadvantage less mature technologies such as offshore wind and solar PV. And the EU internal energy market … [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...]
The four “gamechangers” of the energy sector
Are we headed for a Solar Power Revolution, as many investment analysts are claiming? According to Energy Post editor Karel Beckman, we undoubtedly are. Just as we are headed for a Coal Revolution. And a Nuclear Revolution. And a Shale Revolution. Welcome to the world of energy “gamechangers”. … [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...]
Masdar, Abu Dhabi and the future of our global energy system
Abu Dhabi likes to see itself as a global capital of renewable energy – but its ventures into sustainability are built on oil riches, which the country is not prepared to give up. Hypocritical? Perhaps, but it’s a hypocrisy shared by the rest of the world. Most countries and companies are pursuing an energy transformation which at the same time they are kicking down the road. And yet, writes Energy Post editor Karel Beckman in a reflective essay … [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...]
Water shortages slow energy production worldwide
The World Bank has launched a new initiative that will help developing countries better plan and manage scaling-up energy capacity to meet rising demand, in tandem with water resource management. Producing energy requires a lot of water. Yet, the availability of and access to water is negatively impacting energy production around the world. Last year alone, water shortages shut down thermal power plants in India, decreased energy production … [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...]
BP: “Optimistic for the world’s energy future”
The good news from the BP Energy Outlook 2035, presented on 15 January, is that there will be no problem meeting the world’s energy demand over the next two decades. When it comes to availability of energy, “there is no problem”, said BP’s Group Chief Economist Christof RĂĽhl at the presentation of the report in London. BP’s CEO Bob Dudley said BP is “optimistic for the world’s energy future”. The fourth edition of BP’s annual  Energy Outlook … [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...]
Climate policy bumps into competitiveness in Europe
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...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- …
- 48
- Next Page »