There is a real risk that the European Green Deal will be weakened this new European policy cycle. What exact changes will be made to it? And will or won’t these changes ensure that we stay “the course on all of our goals”, as promised by re-elected European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen? Our new European Green Deal Risk Radar looks into that. Commentary by Roderick Kefferpütz, Director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union.
Author: Energiewende Team
Ukraine’s recovery will also be an example of sustainability – but don’t leave Ukraine out of that recovery
In Part 2/3, we considered the inability of politics and consumer behaviour to move at the speed and systems level the climate and sustainability emergency needs. For Ukraine and the world, the most progressive and bold businesses, combined with finance and braver politicians and activists, will need to show that sustainability works on all fronts – across the environment, for people and economically – to pull policymaking, the public and the rest of industry into alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Part 1/3 considered how the whole world can maximize the Ukraine 2.0 vision, built on the research and convening of Razom We Stand. Josh Matthews reports. Read More
Ukraine’s recovery will also be an example of sustainability – but business and finance must make up for the limited power of politics
In Part 1/3, we considered that despite Ukraine being poised, in its post-war recovery, to contribute to the systems-level change sustainability needs, that the world’s boldness will determine just how fast and global that systemic effect could be. Razom We Stand, in an event that led up to the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London this summer, amplified how Ukraine is set to show that sustainability and, in particular, the energy transition should work across environmental, people and economic fronts. Josh Matthews reports. Read More
Ukraine’s recovery will also be an example of sustainability – but the world’s boldness will determine its speed and scale
The first of three pieces highlighting the potential of Ukraine’s post-war recovery to pioneer sustainability – especially the energy transition – but warning against complacency. Part 2 focuses on business and finance, and Part 3 highlights the risk of leaving Ukraine out of its own recovery. Josh Matthews reports. Read More
Global gas demand: locking in the peak for economic, energy and climate security
Under current trends, global gas demand is set to peak before the decade’s end. Bringing forward this peak in line with climate imperatives can bolster economic growth, security, and resilience. To do this, demand must fall by 110 bcm per year until 2030. Structurally reducing demand should become a focus of international collaboration, write Kamila Godzinska, Maria Pastukhova, Lisa Fischer from E3G.* Read More
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The Energy Transition Blog has been published for more than a decade by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, the German Green political foundation. It started as an outlet to explain Germany’s Energy Transition (Energiewende) and it progressively broadened its geographical coverage and thematic scope. 15 contributors from around the world write about different aspects of the green socio-ecological transformation and the efforts to transition to 100% renewables.
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Making green hydrogen trade fair and sustainable
Many are talking about hydrogen as the magic word of the energy transition. But here we need to take a closer look: How is it being produced, what are the social and ecological consequences of the different modes of production? In which sectors is it needed and what should it (not) be applied for? How can international trade in green hydrogen be made fair and sustainable? The international trade in green hydrogen needs a strategic approach so that social and environmental injustices do not persist and undermine an international sustainable energy future. This video is also available in Arabic, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish. Read more about green hydrogen.
What is green hydrogen?
Many are talking about hydrogen as the magic word of the energy transition. But here we need to take a closer look: How is it being produced, what are the social and ecological consequences of the different modes of production? In which sectors is it needed and what should it (not) be applied for? How can international trade in green hydrogen be made fair and sustainable? Hydrogen comes in numerous colours. An explainer video by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung shows why only green hydrogen can be sustainable, how and, above all, what we should use it for. The video is also available in Arabic, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish. Read more about green hydrogen.
The Energy Charter Treaty remains a challenge for the EU’s Climate Agenda
Global record investments in the energy sector continue to make headlines. After a halt in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sector investments increased in 2021 followed by projections of a similar trajectory by mid-2022. The momentum is associated with the renewables sector which accounts for the majority of these investments. Countries that have committed to achieve net-zero emissions and meet Paris targets will have to maintain this trend – or, potentially, a higher one – if they intend to fulfill those commitments. But net-zero also implies a gradual phase-out of traditional fossil fuel technologies and assets. This is where the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) could hamper the transition towards climate neutrality essential ways. Legal and energy specialist Lekë Batalli has the details.
Japan and South Korea must recognize blue hydrogen is not clean
The global energy system is undergoing a major transformation. Fossil fuel prices are soaring, and extreme weather and war are causing massive blackouts and energy shortages. A clean-energy transition is no longer just an option, but an absolute requirement for survival. As countries shift away from dirty fuels, governments and corporations are increasingly looking toward hydrogen as part of the solution. Robert Howarth has the details. This Piece was originally published on NikkeyAsia.