Inspired by the UK’s independent Committee on Climate Change (CCC) and the progress it has enabled in that nation’s acceleration to net-zero, France set up its equivalent Haut Conseil pour le Climat. Its first report is launched tomorrow (June 25th). The CCC certainly has made a difference, as this month the UK enshrined in law its goal of net-zero by 2050. The French parliament is in discussions to do the same. Céline Guivarch and Corinne Le … [Read more...]
Advanced Aviation Biofuels: ready for take-off?
A survey by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) of leading biofuel investors and producers worldwide reveals that they are still struggling to get governments to deliver the right regulatory framework – and carbon pricing – to ensure biojet fuel’s rapid growth. Scaled up, the fuel also needs to come down in price to compete with jet fuel’s 50 eurocents per litre. Technological progress is being made. But biofuel investment has … [Read more...]
IEA clean energy progress report: Only 7 technologies/sectors on track, 38 not
Of the 45 energy technologies and sectors assessed in the IEA’s latest Tracking Clean Energy Progress (TCEP) report, only 7 are on track with the IEA’s Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS). It’s their latest and most comprehensive assessment of clean energy transitions. “On track” includes energy storage, EVs and solar PV. But buildings, car, flaring and methane emissions are still rising. This year’s TCEP puts much greater emphasis on … [Read more...]
U.S. Military’s mobile mini-nuclear: fewer fuel supply convoys mean fewer casualties
U.S. Military figures show the resupply of liquid fuel and drinking water for troops in-theatre costs about 4 lives for every 100 convoys. It makes an army more vulnerable and limits movement. That’s why the U.S. Department of Defense is looking at very small modular nuclear reactors (vSMRs): sub-10MW nuclear units. They are already being designed, built and tested. If successful, no refuelling is required for years and the units can be … [Read more...]
UK’s net-zero ambition: counting all emissions, not just in-country
The UK’s Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has advised its government to go zero-carbon by 2050. But, say Joe Blakey and Marc Hudson of the University of Manchester, counting all emissions means counting the carbon footprint of imports too. Including these (and excluding emissions from exports) the UK’s footprint is 70% higher than the figure used by the CCC. The same is likely true for all high income economies. And the cost of successful … [Read more...]
New Car sales data shows EVs still a luxury as Petrols keep rising
It’s hard to argue that the EV revolution is around the corner when petrol car sales keep rising. Yes, diesel sales are falling, but more people are switching to petrol than EVs. This month, two data releases from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) show that EV’s big gains are only happening in the high income countries. Even wealthy Norway’s 49.1% EV market share is an exception. The nations that come second and third are … [Read more...]
Electric Cars: only big subsidies lift market share off the 1.5% floor
You only need to compare the US to Norway to see how the main driver for EV sales is coming from government subsidies. Total Norwegian EV incentives cut the cost of running a typical 60 kWh battery pack from over $200/kWh to negative $336/kWh. US incentives bring it down to negative $23/kWh. The consequences are clear: generous Norway sees EVs take 31% of the market share in cars. In the US it’s 1.4%. That makes EVs a luxury item in the US (like … [Read more...]
Leaked German govt report: emissions target will be missed despite on-target renewables
A leaked draft of Germany’s Energiewende Progress Report 2019, due to be released by the economy ministry in May or June, predicts the country will miss its targets for reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by wide margins. This is despite the inevitable emissions reductions due to the 2009 recession and being on track for renewables. If no other measures are taken Germany will reduce emissions by 33% by 2020, falling short of the … [Read more...]
UK: Despite progress, 100% low-carbon is still a long way off
The UK transition is often cited as a success story. Coal’s contribution has dropped from 40% to 6%. Wind, solar and hydroelectric now generates more electricity than nuclear. Demand for electricity has also fallen. The carbon intensity of Britain’s electricity has almost halved, from over 500g of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour in 2006 to under 270g in 2018. The National Grid now expects to be able to operate a zero-carbon electricity system by 2025. But … [Read more...]
We need to trace the real fossil fuel users, not just the “end consumers”
Climate-consciousness is rising among ordinary citizens. But most fossil fuels are consumed by large technological systems (electricity networks, urban transport systems, built environments, industrial and agricultural systems), not by individuals. Simon Pirani says we need to trace that consumption to its true source, and thereby put the pressure directly on them to transition. It’s not simple: even the IEA admits it loses track of who is … [Read more...]
German task force agreement on traffic emissions 1/3 off target
During what was billed as the decisive meeting, the German transport commission charged with proposing emissions cuts for the sector could only reach consensus on measures that will lower emissions by around two thirds of the necessary amount. Pro-climate activists, disappointed with the results, nevertheless welcomed the recommendation to look into the introduction of a CO2 price. Meanwhile emissions have actually increased. And VW, siding with … [Read more...]
Launch of EASAC report on Decarbonisation of Transport: Options and Challenges
Rubens room, Palais des Academies, Hertogstraat 1 Rue Ducale, 1000 Brussels The EASAC report reviews options for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from European transport. It argues for stronger policies to bridge the gap between the GHG emission reductions that will be delivered by current policies and the levels needed to limit global warming to less than 2°C or even 1.5°C (Paris Agreement). The report focusses on road transport … [Read more...]
Millennials aren’t spurning cars after all. They’re driving more than ever
We hoped Millennials would save the planet. Digitally savvy, climate conscious, they would naturally incline towards an emissions-low lifestyle. Sure enough, they were riding bikes, using public transport and, crucially, spurning cars. But Lucas Davis at the Haas School of Business at the University of California reveals data showing they are now buying and driving cars like everyone else. It was the recession that had put them on the bikes and … [Read more...]
Shipping: regulations facilitating switch to LNG
How do we solve shipping’s “chicken-and-egg” dilemma: LNG producers wait for enough ships to run on LNG, while shipping companies wait for producers to increase their supply? The ‘virtuous circle’ of steady growth in LNG shipping in the North Sea/Baltic Sea area can provide an important case study for the rest of the world, according to a reportby the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. It concludes that LNG will grow as a shipping fuel … [Read more...]
Solar panels replaced tarmac on a road. Here are the results
Using roads for solar energy generation is one of those ideas that makes engineers frown but seems to capture the public imagination, with an Indiegogo fundraising campaign for the concept pulling in almost $2.3m in 2014. But now the idea is being put into practice it appears the engineers may have been right all along, according to Dylan Ryan of Edinburgh Napier University. Courtesy of The Conversation. … [Read more...]
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