Although overall energy consumption fell, Germany’s emissions declined only slightly: because coal-fired power plants stepped in for Russian gas. A leading German energy think tank argues that Germany has to undertake structural reforms to get on track. Nevertheless, Germany’s emissions are lower than ever before – evidence that Germany can hit targets by replacing fossil fuels with renewables. The catch is that once replaced, fossil fuels must be eliminated from energy production altogether. Experts think that Germany can still phase out all coal-fired generation by 2030.
All posts tagged: Renewables
How to break the vicious, climate-killing cycle of air conditioning
As our planet warms, cooling technology becomes ever more relevant. Staying comfortable doesn’t have to come at the expense of the climate. Paul Hockenos reviews.
2022’s energy winners: Oil and Gas companies
In 2022, there are wins to be celebrated for climate policy. The recent US legislation is the first time in 40 years that the government has managed to pass any meaningful climate policy. The invasion of Ukraine has shaken Europe to accelerate the move away from Russian oil and gas. However, it is hard to celebrate wins for the climate without addressing the elephant in the room – the thriving and ever-profiting oil and gas sector. While recent geopolitical events did indeed infuse the energy transition with, (no pun intended), some much needed energy, Joelle Thomas would argue that the biggest winners of the past year’s events have been oil and gas companies. What does this mean for the energy transition?
Not enough Space? Combining Agriculture with Renewable Energies
In 2022, Germany set ambitious goals renewable energy, raising its share of gross electricity consumption up to 80 percent by 2030. In this context, the German government has adopted a policy to promote energy systems on agricultural land and focusing, in particular, on solar energy production. Many questions remain but agrovoltaic systems could serve as a useful tool to boost both the national and European energy transition. Leona Schmitt scans the detail.
The most dangerous radicals are those ignoring the IPCC
Russia’s invasion into Ukraine coincided with the release of two sweeping assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on the perilous state of our planet’s health. Desperately warning of the need to get off fossil fuels, as the body starts hammering out a synthesis report, lead blogger and podcaster Michael Buchsbaum reflects on how Europe’s desperate attempts to find alternative fossil fuel sources may end up turbo-charging climate chaos.
Poland’s Energy Dilemma
Recent events have thrown the debate as to whether fossil gas remains required to ensure the security of Europe’s energy supplies completely on its head. The threat that gas supplies can be either weaponised or placed under international sanctions at any point has never been clearer and has highlighted the urgent requirement for accelerated low carbon energy capacity deployment for Europe to reduce its reliance upon the fossil fuel. Jonathan Sims, Senior Analyst at the think tank Carbon Tracker Initiative, has the details.
The Global Energy Transition blog in times of war in Europe
We at EnergyTransition.org stand in solidarity with Ukraine and all those who are suffering and have suffered from the military aggressions of Putin’s regime. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has unleashed a terrible humanitarian crisis. An immediate end to the conflict and a safe and peaceful future for all must be the priority right now.
IRENA & Bonn | The Global Energy Transition Podcast – Episode 5
Bonn leads the way
We all know that climate change is a worsening problem, but which paths do we take to find solutions to this vexing challenge?
In this episode, we evaluate several technological solutions while also updating how cities around the world are taking an aspirational policy approach.
In this rather Bonn, Germany-centric episode, host and proud-Bonnerite, Michael Buchsbaum celebrates his city’s endorsement of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. The subject of our first podcast, Buchsbaum interviews Seble Samuel, Global Cities Campaign Lead for the treaty.
He then talks about emerging clean energy solutions with Dolf Gielen, Director of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)’s Innovation and Technology Center, now celebrating 10 years of being located in Bonn.
You can play the episode below, and it’s also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Shownotes:
- Click on this link to navigate to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative
- Click on this link to find Bonn’s endorsement
- Click here for more on the Cities Campaign Resources
- Click here to learn more about IRENA
- For more information on IRENA’s 12th Assembly, click here
Audio from the podcast was mixed and edited by audio expert Christian Kreymborg.
Bonn born: The International Renewable Energy Agency launches billion dollar accelerator fund
From its Dubai headquarters in the United Arab Emirates, the intergovernmental organization engages with over 180 member nations in a global effort to speed a sustainable energy transition. Founded in Bonn, Germany, this year IRENA’s Innovation and Technology Centre (IITC) is celebrating its tenth anniversary there. Lead blogger and podcaster, Michael Buchsbaum interviews the IITC director, Dolf Gielen and reviews some of IRENA’s world changing initiatives.
Lesson learned: To blunt energy price spikes, the EU needs more renewables, faster
With energy prices soaring across Europe, more gas and coal plants are firing up. Ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, emissions – along with bills – were skyrocketing. Though fossil energy dependent countries like Poland and other allies of dirty fuels are using the crisis to push back on Brussels, putting more scrutiny on the bloc’s overall decarbonization strategies, leadership is standing firm. As imported fossil gas prices are ever more manipulated on complex commodities markets, European Commission leadership says the crisis is another reminder that the best long-term solution is to accelerate the expansion of renewable generation. And thankfully that’s a key aim of the EU’s newly unveiled “Fit for 55” strategy. Lead blogger L. Michael Buchsbaum reviews the situation.