Exclusive: Statoil CEO Eldar Sætre on the industry’s “energy transition”
Statoil has made a slight but incredibly significant change to its brand.
carbon
Gove promises ‘Green Brexit’ in first environment speech
Michael Gove is promising to deliver a “green Brexit”, which sets global gold standards on policies ranging from pesticides to wildlife protection and animal welfare.
European ministers meet to discuss ratifying world’s first climate treaty
European ministers are meeting to push ahead with ratifying the world’s first comprehensive climate treaty - a move which will see the deal come into force.
UK household greenhouse gas emissions up 3%
The “carbon footprint” for the pollution caused by UK consumption has increased slightly, official figures show.
Government urged to fund low-carbon projects in former industrial communities
Government support for new low-carbon industries should be targeted at communities hit by the demise of heavy industry, says a new report.
Government adopts target for 57% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
The Government has adopted climate targets which will require cuts to greenhouse gas emissions of 57% by 2030.
Clean energy spending boost ‘will save millions of lives’
An increase in global energy investment of seven per cent could prevent millions of deaths from air pollution a year by 2040, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says.
EU carbon permits drop amid doubt Europe will adopt price floor
European Union carbon allowances declined at the fastest pace since June 1 amid skepticism that the region will adopt a proposal by France to include a minimum price in almost-daily auctions of the contracts.
Climate deal set for UN signing, environmental doubts remain
The UK is among more than 160 countries set to sign up to the world’s first comprehensive deal to tackle climate change at a ceremony in New York.
Drop in UK greenhouse gas emissions as renewables show ‘incredible growth’
The UK’s greenhouse gas emissions fell below 500 million tonnes for the first time last year, as renewables hit a record 25% of the power mix, official figures show.
Labour MP in call to introduce emissions taxes for buildings
Buildings should be subject to emissions taxes like cars to help Britain meet its climate change obligations, an MP has said.
Climate deal prompts repeat call for 57% cut in UK greenhouse gases by 2030
Government advisers have repeated calls for a 57% cut in UK greenhouse gases by 2030 in the wake of a new global climate deal. The Committee on Climate Change said its advice on cutting emissions for the period 2028-2032 was the “minimum level of UK ambition necessary” in light of the Paris Agreement - the global deal to avoid dangerous climate change agreed late last year.
Tory MP claims Church of England should invest in fossil fuels
The Church of England should “put aside the Greenpeace manuals” and invest in fossil fuels, a Tory MP has said. Climate change sceptic David TC Davies (Monmouth) told Church commissioners to look at the Bible’s Parable of the Talents, which is about making wise investments.
Climate talks in France extended in bid to reach deal
High-stakes climate talks in France will not end today as planned but will last at least until Saturday, French foreign minister Laurent Fabius has announced. Diplomats and other top officials from more than 190 countries are trying to agree on the text of what would be an unprecedented deal for all countries to reduce man-made carbon emissions and co-operate to adapt to rising seas and increasingly extreme weather caused by human activity.
Opinion: Climate change and energy supply – and why the world isn’t ending
Air travellers are used to captain’s warnings of the potential for turbulence – most are accustomed to considerable ups and downs, with crew and passengers remaining calm and arriving at their destination without the onset of panic. There are however times when one or two can’t take the rocky ride in their stride and scream, unsettling everyone. COP21, the Paris Climate Conference, is the result of considerable scientific research and debate, and a great deal of political posturing - some people are taking absolute positions, some people inducing panic and others even declaring the end is nigh.
Carbon dioxide emissions ‘could be falling slightly’
Global carbon dioxide emissions may be dropping slightly this year, spurred by a dramatic plunge in Chinese pollution, research suggests. The unexpected dip could either be a temporary blip or true hope that the world is about to turn the corner on carbon pollution as climate talks continue in Paris, said the authors of a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change. “That shouldn’t tell us we don’t need to do anything, but that shows there is action,” Janos Pasztor, the United Nations assistant secretary general for climate change, told The Associated Press at the Paris climate talks. “Things are going in the right direction. All we need is a strong agreement.”
Technology will be key to tackling climate change, says Shell boss Van Beurden
Shell chief executive Ben Van Beurden said technology would continue to be one of the most crucial factors in combating climate change. The head of the oil major spoke at the International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC) in Doha as leaders meet in Paris for climate change talks at COP 21.
Carbon content of electricity generation falls to record low in Ireland
The carbon content of electricity generation in Ireland fell to a record low last year, according to new figures by the (SEAI) Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Renewable electricity help the country avoid 2.6million tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2014 and is now one of the single biggest contributors to carbon dioxide emissions reduction in Ireland. The body said without renewables, power generation emissions would have been around 23% higher.
David Cameron ‘failing to give lead on air pollution and climate change’
David Cameron has been accused of failing to give an international lead in tackling air pollution and climate change. Former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott warned the Lords it was “crazy” to cut subsidies for renewable energy. He said the Government was doing “absolutely nothing” to tackle emissions from cars, adding: “It’s green crap according to our Prime Minister.”
Energy companies invest £134million in UK universities
A freedom of information request (FOI) by environmental group Greenpeace has shown the amount of investment by energy companies at some UK universities topping more than £20million.
UK Government advisers call for low-carbon power to meet energy needs
New low-carbon power sources are the most cost-effective way to meet electricity needs in the 2020s and tackle climate change, government advisers have said. Investment is needed in new power generation in the 2020s to replace closing coal and nuclear plants, while stripping carbon emissions from the energy sector is important for meeting the UK’s legally-binding climate targets, the Committee on Climate Change said. Backing low-carbon power is set to add around £105 on the average consumer electricity bill in 2020 and £120 by 2030, before costs fall, a report from the committee said. While the cost of low-carbon technology such as nuclear and renewables will be slightly higher than investing in gas, it will deliver more greenhouse gas reductions and cut down on the “social” costs that fossil fuel pollution imposes on the UK and world, it said.
EU emissions down 23%, passing targets for 2020
The European Union says its emissions fell 4% last year, meaning the 28-nation bloc has already surpassed its target for 2020. A report by the EU’s environment agency said 2014 emissions were 23% lower than in 1990. The EU is the world’s third largest greenhouse gas polluter.
CCS experts sign open letter to UN ahead of Paris talks
An open letter by 41 signatories has been sent to the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) regarding CCS (Carbon Capture Storage). Scientists and experts from Scotland to China said they had written to reassure the UNFCCC that CCS is “safe, secure and effective”. They said extensive research had shown CO2 storage at selected sites was unlikely to lead to any leakages.
Oil bosses to meet in Paris ahead of climate talks
The leaders of eight of the world’s top oil companies are set to meet in Paris next week to show how they will combat climate change. The move is part of an offensive ahead of a UN summit which will be held in December. The meeting will be followed by a press conference where the company bosses are also expected to renew a call for a global carbon pricing mechanism. Total chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said company leaders would present proposals to combat global warming ahead of the talks.
Shell, Statoil join forces to advise on cleaner energy decisions
Representatives from energy companies including Shell and Statoil have joined forces to advise on making cleaner energy decisions. Shell Chairman Chad Holliday, Statoil Vice-President Bjorn Otto Sverdrup and RWE Chief Executive Peter Terium are among a list of commissioners acting in a personal capacity to advise governments on how to change their energy markets without damaging the environment.