Greenhouse gas emissions rose by 1% in Spain this year compared to 2023 and were at the third lowest point in the historical series, which begins in 1990. This is set out in a report prepared by the Sustainability Observatory (OS) and prepared by the economist and climate change expert José Santamarta, as lead author, … Continue reading Spain increases greenhouse gas emissions by 1%
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What happened at COP29?
The COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, finally ended around 5.30am on Sunday morning, almost 36 hours after they had been originally scheduled to close. The good news was that the negotiators representing about 200 countries agreed a deal on climate finance: flows of capital from developed countries to low and middle-income countries, to help … Continue reading What happened at COP29?
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Progress since COP28 on transitioning away from fossil fuels
At COP28, global leaders united under the ambitious ‘UAE Consensus’ to push ambition closer to the 1.5C climate target. Their headline commitment: transition away from fossil fuels. This commentary looks to see where we are 12 months later, as this week G20 leaders reconfirmed their support for the agreements made in the COP28 global stocktake … Continue reading Progress since COP28 on transitioning away from fossil fuels
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A second Trump administration, and what it means for energy and natural resources
The US has a President-elect with power to wield. A likely Republican trifecta would strengthen President-elect Donald Trump’s new administration across domestic and global affairs. Along with the White House, the GOP will have control of the Senate and (probably) the House of Representatives. President-elect Trump himself has declared he has a “mandate”, although he … Continue reading A second Trump administration, and what it means for energy and natural resources
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Relationship between climate change and social acceptance for wind power
Do climate change concerns influence social acceptance for wind farms? Here’s what we found out when we surveyed thousands of Europeans. In 2023, our planet experienced its hottest year since records began ‘by a huge margin’ (WMO). As each month came, records tumbled. Behind the sometimes abstract numbers were very real consequences: wild-fires, floods, devastated … Continue reading Relationship between climate change and social acceptance for wind power
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A clear and ambitious EU 2040 climate goal will avoid a ‘too little too late’ scenario
At present, the EU does not have a climate target for 2040, in contrast to many member states and European companies, like Vattenfall. A clear and ambitious EU 2040 climate target will support member states and businesses, by providing confidence to invest. The European Commission will publish their recommendations for a 2040 climate target tomorrow. … Continue reading A clear and ambitious EU 2040 climate goal will avoid a ‘too little too late’ scenario
Continue readingCOP28 key takeaways: The challenges in accelerating the energy transition
There’s more than one measure of success. Our team was there and witnessed an organisational triumph. The sheer scale of COP28 signalled an event of global interest – over 100,000 attended, bigger than Burning Man, compared with about 10,000 at Kyoto in 1997. And it was inclusive, virtually every country and interest group on the … Continue reading COP28 key takeaways: The challenges in accelerating the energy transition
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U.S. Department of Energy Announces Clean Energy Achievements at COP28
This week, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David M. Turk traveled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for the 28th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), where he led the U.S. energy delegation. The Department of Energy announced a range of initiatives – on issues from clean hydrogen and nuclear … Continue reading U.S. Department of Energy Announces Clean Energy Achievements at COP28
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IEA assessment of the evolving pledges at COP28
At the COP28 climate change conference in Dubai, pledges have been made in three key areas – by many countries on renewables and energy efficiency, and by a significant number of companies on methane. These are three of the five crucial areas for action highlighted by the International Energy Agency (IEA) ahead of COP28. The … Continue reading IEA assessment of the evolving pledges at COP28
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What does the world need from COP28?
The UN released its Emissions Gap Report on Monday. Released ahead of the 28th annual conference of the parties in Dubai, which begins on the 30th of November, it highlights the need for a 42% reduction in emissions to achieve the 1.5C degree warming limit of the Paris Agreement. Antònio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United … Continue reading What does the world need from COP28?
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Stronger international cooperation in high emissions sectors crucial to get on track for 1.5C climate goal
Insufficient progress in transitions to clean technologies and sustainable solutions over the past year highlights the need for strong and targeted international collaboration in high emissions sectors to deliver transitions that are faster, easier and cheaper for all, according to the latest Breakthrough Agenda Report. The new report – an annual collaboration between the International … Continue reading Stronger international cooperation in high emissions sectors crucial to get on track for 1.5C climate goal
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Stronger International Cooperation in High Emissions Sectors Crucial to Get on Track for 1.5°C Climate Goal
Countries must supercharge international collaboration on technologies and markets for sectors such as power, transport, industry, buildings and agriculture, new report finds. Insufficient progress in transitions to clean technologies and sustainable solutions over the past year highlights the need for strong and targeted international collaboration in high emissions sectors to deliver transitions that are faster, … Continue reading Stronger International Cooperation in High Emissions Sectors Crucial to Get on Track for 1.5°C Climate Goal
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Beyond electricity: is hydrogen the key to greener smelting and refining?
In the metals and mining industry, the top contributors to CO2 emissions are smelting and refining processes. To date, much of the industry’s decarbonisation efforts have been focused on electrification. However, we’re starting to see a shift towards hydrogen as a replacement for fossil fuels in metallurgical processes. Our recent report, ‘Beyond electricity: Is hydrogen … Continue reading Beyond electricity: is hydrogen the key to greener smelting and refining?
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High temperatures and increased energy demand will get worse in future summers
In the summer of 2023, a huge number of forest fires ravage Mediterranean countries, aggravated by drought, low humidity and high temperatures. The El Niño phenomenon increases the global heat, leading to intense and prolonged heat waves. The Iberian Peninsula undergoes a hot year with above?average temperatures. High temperatures in warm countries boost the electricity … Continue reading High temperatures and increased energy demand will get worse in future summers
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Despite policy and technological progress, the 1.5-degree ambition is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve
Energy Perspectives paints the outcome space for the long-term development of the world’s energy markets. Driven by factors such as geopolitics, technology, climate and energy policy, and company and consumer behaviour, energy demand projections are made, but become increasingly uncertain the further out in time we forecast. The world is far from being on track … Continue reading Despite policy and technological progress, the 1.5-degree ambition is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve
Continue readingHalting climate change can also reduce business risk
Some say investing in new technology to decrease carbon emissions is risky business. Energy utility Vattenfall’s CEO doesn’t: “To me, striving for net zero equals reducing risk. To just continue business as usual is much more dangerous.” Already before 24 February last year the need for climate transition was obvious. After the Russian attack on … Continue reading Halting climate change can also reduce business risk
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Wind and solar reached a record 12% of global electricity in 2022
Ember’s fourth annual Global Electricity Review aims to provide the most transparent and up-to-date overview of changes in global electricity generation in 2022 and a realistic summary of how “on track” the electricity transition is for limiting global heating to 1.5 degrees. The report analyses electricity data from 78 countries representing 93% of global electricity … Continue reading Wind and solar reached a record 12% of global electricity in 2022
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Energy sector to EU Parliament: SF6 phase-out is welcome but musn’t jeopardise the energy transition
On Wednesday the European Parliament will discuss the phase-out of fluorinated gases, so-called “F-gases”. These F-gases all contain fluorine and are potent greenhouse gases. Among the so-called “F-gases” is sulfur hexafluoride (short: SF6), a gas commonly used in electrical switchgear due to its chemical properties as an insulator. Switchgear ensures the safety and reliability of … Continue reading Energy sector to EU Parliament: SF6 phase-out is welcome but musn’t jeopardise the energy transition
Continue readingIPCC Synthesis Report: significant change required but future is in our control
On Monday 20. March, the IPCC released its final synthesis report (SYR) of the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). An important topic for the report is the status of the 1.5°c target. Is it still feasible and what action must be taken to limit warming to 1.5°c? Read the full report here The Synthesis Report (SYR) … Continue reading IPCC Synthesis Report: significant change required but future is in our control
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GE and IRENA sign collaborative agreement at COP27 to support the global climate change agenda
GE (NYSE:GE) signed a framework agreement with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to collaborate on a plan which will support both climate change and energy security. The agreement was signed by Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA and Roger Martella, Chief Sustainability Officer of GE at the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC … Continue reading GE and IRENA sign collaborative agreement at COP27 to support the global climate change agenda
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