EU ship sulphur directive scrutinized Sulphur emissions from ships in northern Europe have come down significantly, resulting in health and environmental improvements in coastal regions and port cities. Read more
Editorial: Everyone's right to clean air Evidence of the health hazards posed by air pollutants is clear and unambiguous. Air pollution particularly affects vulnerable groups such as infants, children, the elderly and ... Read more
Wind and solar can be integrated into the grid There are strategies to manage variablity in electricity generation. A succesful example is Denmark, which somtimes produces more than half of its electricity from wind and solar. Read more
Renewables are rolling out rapidly Between 2005 and 2015 wind power grew fourfold and solar by a factor of 72 in the EU. But this growth is very unevenly spread in the EU and in wider Europe. Read more
Limits to achieving “4 per 1000” target Increasing carbon stocks in agricultural soils is promoted as a climate mitigation practice. Scientists show that the potential in Europe might be overestimated. Read more
Savings threat to a more sustainable agriculture Less funding for environmental measures and increased flexibility for member states are bleak, but likely expectations of a post-2020 Common Agriculural Policy (CAP). Read more
Eating healthily and sustainably Reducing meat and calories is a win-win for health and the environment. An optimised Low Lands diet is a Dutch concept to make the transition more culturally acceptable. Read more
IMO adopts greenhouse gas strategy for shipping While the EU pushed for emission cuts of 70–100 per cent by 2050, the final global agreement settled for a target of “at least 50 per cent”. Read more
Diesels in low-emission zones? More than 90 per cent of Euro 6 diesel cars on sale today don’t meet the EU emission limits on the road but are still exempt from low-emission zones or diesel bans. Read more
CO2 makes up 81 per cent of US greenhouse gases The website of the US EPA presents an inventory of GHG emissions for 1990 to 2016, but web pages containing detailed climate analysis were removed one year ago. Read more
Germany still constructing new coal power stations Several countries in Europe, among them Germany, have recently built or are planning to build new coal power stations. Some examples of such plants are presented here. Read more
Average CO2 level exceeds 410 ppm for first time Since 1990, there has been a 40 per cent increase in total radiative forcing – the warming effect on our climate due to long-lived greenhouse gases. Read more
1.5°C target still within reach Scenarios show that the 1.5°C target can be reached without BECCS, through a massive expansion of renewable energy, improved energy efficency and lifestyle changes. Read more
New low-emission zones in Sweden On 4 April, the Swedish government announced that from 1 January 2020 municipalities will be able to introduce three different kinds of low-emission zones. Read more
Myths about carbon storage – the Sleipner case The risk of leaks that are difficult to detect and the thorough investigations required to find suitable sites are factors that limit the potential to scale up ongoing CO2 storage projects. Read more
Norweigan CCS hype moves from power to industrial processes The government is unlikely to foot the bill. There are faster, cheaper ways to cut such emissions. Read more