Following the EU’s parliamentary elections on 6-9 June 2024 and with the war in Ukraine showing no sign of slowing, a pressing issue demands attention: the EU’s continuing active participation in, and facilitation of, Russia’s fossil fuel shipping and exports. This article delves into critical analysis and proposes strategies for reducing dependency on, and support of, the Russian fossil fuel industry, supported by data and statistics highlighting the impact of these exports on the Russian economy, the war in Ukraine and the global climate crisis.
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How Scotland can get its energy for renewables back
Scotland has been a pioneer in renewables, says Kirsten Jenkins. But the easy wins are over and the task of decarbonising Scotland’s economy is becoming steadily more difficult, as the row over net zero targets showed. Nonetheless, the potential to build on its record is clear and the obstacles are not insurmountable.
European Parliament elections: climate policies will suffer
With the European Parliament tilting towards the right after the EP 2024 elections, there is a significant risk that the EU may shift towards a stance less favourable to assertive climate action. Paul Hockenos reports.
The implication of South Africa’s 2024 election on its energy transition plan
South Africa’s 2024 election involves 27 million voters and 70 parties. Energy transition plans vary among candidates, revealing challenges and differing approaches to climate action and renewable energy.
Strengthening citizens’ participation in the EU’s energy transition – a toolbox
Europe’s switch to renewable energy supply and efficient energy consumption is gaining momentum, not only as a result of the European Green Deal but also in reaction to the fossil fuel price crisis. EU legislation already creates some opportunities for citizens to access affordable renewable energy more directly, as well as to facilitate energy savings through, for example, building renovation. In a new Knowledge Community, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union and the Green European Foundation (GEF) gather a broad range of experts from EU institutions, local governments, industry, consumer organisations and think tanks to look into these opportunities. The aim is to explore concrete tools and identify their current potential, as well as the remaining gaps that need addressing. Analysis by Taube Van Melkebeke and Jörg Mühlenhoff
How to stabilise the cost of living by sharing energy and food
It is high time for an out-of-silos approach to boost the added value from solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop installations. This analysis suggests a new solidarity model allowing citizens, local retailers and farmers to tap into the benefits of solar electricity. Guillaume Joly reports.
2024 elections: India’s energy transition plans and challenges
India’s energy transition has become a prominent issue in both the BJP and Congress manifesto. Although the nation’s clean energy future has been firmly set in motion, financial and policy challenges lie ahead for the future government. Mayank Aggarwal reports.
In principle, farmers should embrace climate protection. But they don’t.
The ways that farms can benefit from the energy transition and climate protection measures are manifold – if only they were more open to them. Paul Hockenos reports.
Green energy is revolutionising Zimbabwe’s faltering healthcare system, but…
By 19 October 2023, Zimbabwe had recorded 115 suspected cholera deaths — 34 confirmed — and 5,256 suspected cases according to a situational report from the country’s Health and Child Care ministry. Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration and death if untreated. It is most likely to occur and spread in places with inadequate water treatment, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene. Kennedy Nyavaya reports.
Africa’s tripartite condition requires careful considerations on spending Official Development Assistance
Africa is facing a tripartite problem that often require access to foreign funds. But Official Development Assistance flows from developed to developing often come with a caveat – donors often express how their concessional loans must be spent, such as on a specific climate project. But such preference sometimes conflicts with national priorities. This often leaves politicians choices between implementing policies for international agreements, such as for the Paris Accord, which requires climate mitigation and adaptation projects, and fostering economic and social development. Considering the centrality of energy in the history of human development, Michael Davies-Venn argues that capitalizing on the continent’s unique opportunities for renewable energies provides an added benefit by complementing decarbonization gains being made in other regions, but that this requires coordination between donors and recipients.