Europe has long had a touchy relationship with Russia, with Europe’s dependence on Russian gas being a potentially major source of concern. But away from the rhetoric, the dependence is growing, and the question is how to diffuse tensions. Keeping Ukraine in the picture could be a key move, argues Marco Siddi, senior research fellow with the European Union Research Programme. Courtesy of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. … [Read more...]
What is the future of coal?
It fired up the industrial age but is now condemned as a toxic pollutant. Most countries are cutting back on coal usage, but not all. Donald Trump wants to buck the trend and create jobs for miners, and Asia’s appetite for the black stuff continues to grow. Siân Bradley, from the independent policy institute Chatham House, asks if there is a future for old King Coal. … [Read more...]
Demystifying radiation – the nemesis of nuclear energy?
Recent reports from the United Nations that challenge commonly held views on ionising radiation may prove crucial for a nuclear renaissance, Abel González – a senior adviser with the Argentine Nuclear Regulatory Authority – told delegates at the World Nuclear Association Symposium held in London last month. “Shouldn’t the nuclear industry being doing all it can to debunk the myths about radiation?” he asks. … [Read more...]
8 things you need to know about the IPCC 1.5˚C report
In its landmark report released today on global warming, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says urgent and unprecedented changes are needed to stop global temperatures from rising by over 1.5˚C – but it is possible. The report makes it clear to governments and businesses that limiting warming to 1.5˚C is imperative, says Kelly Levin of World Resources Institute: “Now it’s time for them to step up to the challenge.” … [Read more...]
China’s Belt and Road as a conduit for clean power projects
China’s Belt and Road Initiative is arguably the biggest regional connectivity and cooperation programme in operation today. But with China being a major polluter, there are also concerns the Initiative could just be adding to global environmental stress. Not so, argue John A Mathews and Carol X Huang of Macquarie University, Sydney: it’s actually a magnet for renewable energy investments. Courtesy of The Asia-Pacific Journal. … [Read more...]
How do ambitious climate pledges impact economic growth?
At the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, delegates from all over the world made ambitious commitments to tackle climate change. But how will their actions impact economic growth? Chris Busch of think-tank Energy Innovation compares manufacturing and employment data from climate leader California to laggard Texas and the US as a whole. His findings suggest that climate actions are affordable and even provide a boost to economies. … [Read more...]
Why decarbonising gas might be harder than you think
Decarbonising the European energy system by 2050 will require a fundamental shift for the way the gas industry operates, away from business-as-usual in network planning and market design. Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, leaves no room for fossil gas consumption where CO2 is not captured and stored. But turning the gas industry into a zero-carbon industry is no simple task. … [Read more...]
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