Two years after the climate summit in Paris, euphoria has largely evaporated, writes Oliver Geden, Head of Research Division EU/Europe at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP). There has been little sign of additional ambition in climate change mitigation since. One fundamental reason, according to Geden, is that the target of “holding the temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius” does not commit countries … [Read more...]
Trump’s “America First” energy policy puts China ahead in energy
China has indicated it is set to launch a crude oil futures contract in yuan, which could be a significant step towards the de-dollarization of the global economy. It is a sign of China’s growing confidence – and the U.S.’s declining influence, writes Friedbert PflĂĽger, Director of the European Centre for Energy and Resource Security (EUCERS). According to PflĂĽger, President Trump’s “America First” policy is having the opposite effect: it is … [Read more...]
Why we shouldn’t be so quick to trust energy modelling
In Australia a fierce debate is raging over the future of the national electricity market. The arguments from the government and its critics are all based on energy models, but the outcome of models strongly depends on their underlying assumptions, writes Hugh Saddler of Australian National University. These are difficult to verify, since all models that are used are proprietary and cannot be independently evaluated. One way to move past the … [Read more...]
How to ensure that corporate buying of renewable energy really makes a difference
Many corporations are eager to contribute to the fight against climate change by sourcing renewable energy. Yet, despite some high-profile power purchase agreements, corporate renewables sourcing is still a small market and its real contribution to the energy transition is doubtful sometimes, writes Malte Gephart, energy policy expert at international consultancy Navigant. According to Gephart, this is a missed opportunity. He explains what needs … [Read more...]
A fresh start for climate change mitigation in New Zealand
The election of the sixth Labour-led government, in a coalition with the Greens, heralds a new direction for climate change policy in New Zealand, writes professor Robert McLachlan of Massey University. That is high time, according to McLachlan: the country’s emission trading system has not delivered, greenhouse gas emissions have risen. Courtesy The Conversation. … [Read more...]
The case for additional actions within the EU ETS has just become stronger
It is sometimes thought that total emissions in the EU ETS (Emission Trading System) are equal to the cap, and so any additional actions, such as phase-out of coal power, increasing energy efficiency and deploying more renewables, have no effect. But this is not true, writes climate change economist Adam Whitmore. Indeed, according to Whitmore, recently agreed reforms to the EU ETS strengthen the case for additional actions. For policymakers, … [Read more...]
Ukraine: energy transition could work wonders, but policies are “the least ambitious in the world”
Ukraine can reduce its energy dependence and build a strong economy on clean and safe renewable energy, a new study shows. Unfortunately, the latest Energy Strategy adopted by the government in August shows a complete lack of ambition to pursue a low-carbon transition. Ukraine’s “nationally determined contribution” under the Paris Agreement is the least ambitious in the world, according to an independent analysis. … [Read more...]
After Bonn, 5 things to watch for in the coming year of global climate policy
Five things that should have happened at the recent climate conference in Bonn, didn’t happen, write Marc Hudson and Matthew Paterson of the University of Manchester. But there is life beyond the UNFCCC process. They identify five things to watch for in climate policy in the coming year – if it isn’t too late already to save the world from climate change. Courtesy The Conversation. … [Read more...]
Renewables in Africa are losing ground: a proposal for a practical climate finance instrument
If the One Planet Summit in Paris on 12 December is to meet its expectations, it must lead to a new cost- and carbon-efficient instrument to support decentralised renewable electricity generation across Africa, writes Terje Osmundsen, Courtesy Energi og Klima blog. … [Read more...]
Trump’s tax bill: big win for oil and gas, profound threat to renewables and environment
The Republican Party (GOP) tax proposal, if it is adopted unchanged, would slash tax credits for solar and wind power, slap a big tax on projects of “multinational” renewable developers, while leaving tax credits for oil and gas unchanged or even lowering them. It would also open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas exploration. Courtesy Oilprice.com. … [Read more...]
Trump’s coal and nuclear subsidy could cost U.S. economy over $10 billion a year
The U.S. Department of Energy's new initiative to subsidize coal and nuclear generation could cost U.S. businesses and households up to $10.6 billion annually, writes Silvio Marcacci, Communications Director at think tank Energy Innovation. This money would go to about 10 companies.  … [Read more...]
The German electricity market in 2016: more gas, renewables stable, higher emissions, higher tariffs
Whereas gas-fired power grew strongly in Germany in 2016, the output of renewables declined slightly. CO2 emissions went up, as did network tariffs and consumer prices. Renewables were funded 70% through auctions and just 30% through feed-in tariffs. An overview by Marius Buchmann. … [Read more...]
Poland may be ready for energy turnaround
The Polish conservative government has been trying (and failing) to bail out coal, and maintain energy independence, writes journalist MichaĹ‚ Olszewski. But according to Olszewski, these expensive and polluting practices could be coming to an end. Slowly but surely, the energy transition emerges in Poland. Courtesy Energy Transition – the Global Energiewende. … [Read more...]
UK government overlooked lower costs of renewables in Hinkley nuclear deal
Two of the UK’s main public bodies overseeing public spending have now criticised the government’s deal with EDF to support a new nuclear power plant, showing how Britain  (and the United States today?) failed to heed the falling cost of renewables, writes energy finance consultant Gerard Wynn. According to Wynn, the findings should be a warning for other countries planning to build new nuclear power plants. They also raise the question why the … [Read more...]
The net cost of using renewables to hit Australia’s climate target? Nothing
Australia can meet its 2030 greenhouse emissions target at zero net cost, according to a new analysis of a range of options for the National Electricity Market, write Andrew Blakers, Bin Lu and Matthew Stocks of Australian National University. Courtesy The Conversation. … [Read more...]
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