Global fossil fuel subsidies crossed over $5 trillion between 2010-2021

With energy consumption vital for life and business, governments often look to fossil fuel subsidies to make energy as affordable as possible. These subsidies artificially reduce the price of fossil fuels and generally take two forms: Production subsidies occur when governments provide tax cuts or direct payments that reduce the cost of producing coal, oil,

Major fossil fuel investors are California’s public pensions

California’s climate-conscious policies aren’t matched by the investment choices of its largest public pension funds, according to a report from two environmental groups. Of the 14 top US pension funds analyzed by Stand.earth and Climate Safe Pensions Network, California Public Employees’ Retirement System, known as Calpers, and California State Teachers’ Retirement System, known as CalSTRS,

Renewable energy is getting cheaper, it could replace fossil fuels soon

The global energy sector has an impressive record of scaling-up renewables like wind and solar – but it is not so good at predicting future price changes of the clean energy these renewables produce, according to a new report. Researchers at the University of Oxford’s Institute of New Economic Thinking suggest early pricing prediction models

US companies seeking 100% renewables still use fossil fuel

US companies with contracts to buy only renewable power are still relying heavily on fossil fuels because of a lack of clean-energy supplies, a Columbia University study has shown. American firms have to draw between 20% and 50% of their electricity from regional electric grids — heavy on fossil fuels — even when they’ve signed

Masdar and Engie to develop hydrogen hub in UAE

Emirati renewable energy company Masdar has formed a strategic alliance agreement with French multinational utility company Engie to develop a green hydrogen hub in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The hub will consist of projects with at least 2GW of capacity, which will be developed by 2030 with a total investment of $5bn. Engie CEO

Voluntary climate action won’t reach net zero

The Commonwealth government says it will reach zero net emissions by 2050 through voluntary action and technology, not mandates or taxes. This is a false dichotomy. Emissions reductions in line with our international obligations require mandatory measures. Voluntary action supplements and extends mandatory measures – as it has done over the past decade. Prime Minister

Policy makers must accelerate hydrogen rollout

More ambitious and concrete hydrogen policy efforts are needed from governments across Europe and beyond to bridge a wide gap between the current market trajectory and the projects needed to meet net-zero targets, the International Energy Agency said at the S&P Global Platts Hydrogen Markets Europe Conference Nov. 26. Under the IEA’s net-zero scenario, hydrogen

Biofuels leaders call on Biden to keep promise to support renewables program

With the Biden administration considering a possible cut in Renewable Fuel Standard  volumes to bring down gasoline prices, some say he is breaking a campaign promise. Congress created the renewable fuel standard program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand the nation’s renewable fuels sector and become less dependent on foreign oil. The idea of

Modern technology, old mining law can make net-zero a reality

If the U.S. is to achieve its carbon and renewable energy targets, policymakers must harmonize the mesh point between U.S. renewables and the statutory directive to develop domestic minerals under the General Mining Law, James Voyles, environmental attorney with Lewis Roca, says. Otherwise, the need for raw materials for renewables may clash with mining restrictions,

Ethanol production in the US reaches near record levels

The US Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.107 million barrels a day, the second-highest average on record, and an increase of 1,000 barrels on the week and 56,000 on the year. The high of 1.108 million barrels a day was set in early December 2017. Margins have improved recently and plant capacity is reportedly