The Scottish government, pushed hard by environmentalists, has finally announced that it is unlikely to pursue oil exploration or extraction in the North Sea’s Cambo fields. This, together with the Green Party’s entrance into a government with the Scottish National Party (SNP), burnishes its climate credentials. But, ultimately, it must exit oil production entirely. From Edinburgh, Scotland, Paul Hockenos has the story.
All posts tagged: Scotland
#Fracking4Plastics – a link that drives plastic and climate pollution
The plastics industry has reaped massive hidden benefits from the environmentally destructive fracking boom. Andy Gheorghiu of Food and Water Europe makes a connection business interests and US politics.
Is the UK a better role model than Germany for carbon reduction?
More than Germany, the UK has reduced coal power and carbon emissions in recent years. Should we be talking more about the British model and less about the German one? More specifically, does Germany missing its 2020 carbon target put the country’s 2030 target completely out of reach? By Craig Morris.
Get ready for the next generation of electric vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) are approaching a tipping point, as a wave of new cars are matching the cost and performance of traditional petrol cars. Three breakthrough electric cars, from GM, Tesla, and Nissan, are offering drivers everything they want – but without the pollution. Ben Paulos takes an in-depth look.
Brexit: and now for something completely different – but what?
British Prime Minister Theresa May has triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, thereby giving the country 24 months to negotiate terms for leaving the EU. What will this mean for energy policy? Craig Morris has a tentative look with the help of an expert.
Marine energy – the renewable energy source of tomorrow (still)
A video made by HuffPost last year praises ocean energy. Today, Craig Morris takes a look at how the technology has progressed – and what is wrong about how that video portrays renewables that work.
What if all German households went renewable?
Today, Craig Morris explains our updated graphics on German energy consumption. Private consumers may support the further growth of renewables, but they also make up a relatively small part of total energy consumption.
Renewable power curtailment skyrockets in Germany
The German Network Agency has published an overview of power curtailment in 2014. While the level has reached a new high, it is still in line with what is normal in other countries. Craig Morris takes a look.
Counting carbon from the source
We need to leave carbon in the ground. Yet, carbon emissions are counted at the source of consumption, not the source of extraction. Craig Morris says the different approach would put countries like Scotland, Norway, and Denmark in a much different light.
100% renewable energy as centerpiece of a climate action plan
At the end of September, the heads of states met in New York for a climate summit to pledge action on climate change. While renewables were not at the center of attention, Anna Leidreiter argues that future commitments need to contain a pledge to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050. A growing number of cities, regions and even countries around the world have already proven that such a path is realistic.