China, the world’s largest builder of coal-fired power stations, cut the number of permits for new plants by nearly 80 per cent in the first half of 2024, an environmental group report finds, saying time would tell whether it was a turning point. The Greenpeace East Asia report, based on …
Read More »China’s Hydrogen Tech Boosts Paris Olympics’ Carbon Goals
As the world turns to cleaner energy solutions, hydrogen power has been put into the spotlight. In a significant showcase of its potential, China-manufactured hydrogen refueling equipment has played a pivotal role at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. These installations are now the energy source for hydrogen vehicles transporting athletes …
Read More »IEA: Global Coal Demand Set to Remain Broadly Flat over next Two Years
Global coal demand is set to remain broadly flat over the next two years, as surging electricity demand in a number of major economies offsets the ongoing rapid expansion of solar and wind capacity worldwide, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). After global coal use soared 2.6 per cent …
Read More »Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan Forge Green Energy Export Alliance
Kazakhstan is pressing ahead with Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan to develop electricity export capacity, even as Astana faces challenges in securing the power needed to fuel domestic economic growth. The Kazakh Ministry of Energy has published for public comment a draft agreement on its strategic green-energy partnership with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. …
Read More »Deep-Sea Mining Rush Sparks Environmental Concerns
Over the last year, it has become clear that deep-sea mining for metals and minerals is likely to be approved in some regions of the world, as companies fight for the right to invest in innovative mining projects. There are huge critical mineral reserves worldwide under the seabed, which have …
Read More »GM to Pay $146 Million Penalty for Emission Violations
This week, AP and WMAR Baltimore reported that GM would have to pay the government over $146 million in penalties due to 5.9 million of its older vehicles not complying with emissions and fuel standards. The report said that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Wednesday that specific …
Read More »Asia’s Rising Emissions Offset Western Climate Progress
Global CO2 equivalent emissions grew by 2.1% in 2023, crossing 40 billion metric tons for the first time. This category of emissions is the sum of carbon dioxide emissions from energy, carbon dioxide emissions from flaring, and methane emissions (in carbon dioxide equivalent). This news, reported by the recently published …
Read More »EU Approves $3.2 Billion German Aid for Hydrogen Pipeline Network
The European Commission has allowed Germany to grant $3.2 billion (3 billion euros) in state aid to support the construction of a pipeline system for hydrogen transportation. The European Commission said on Friday that it had approved, under EU State aid rules, the German scheme to support the construction of …
Read More »Ageing Coal Plants Pave the Way for Renewable Revolution
New research from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) shows that over 800 coal-fired power plants could be profitably replaced by solar power in emerging economies starting at the end of this decade. This is both a surprising and hopeful finding, as the lack of affordability of …
Read More »Kenya’s Ambitious Plan to become a Clean Tech Hub
For years, Kenya has been a leader in Africa in renewable energy’s share of its power mix. It now looks to capitalize on the booming clean technology industry and become a supply-chain partner of major economies, including the United States. Africa has abundant key energy transition minerals. It also has …
Read More »