Energy Transition in Europe | www.energy-cities.eu

Daniel Loeb, patron du fonds Third Point, a initié une entrée au capital de Royal Dutch Shell pour obtenir une séparation de ses activités dans les hydrocarbures et dans les énergies renouvelables, afin d’accroître à la fois sa décarbonation et sa valeur globale, explique Jean-Michel Bezat, journaliste économique au « Monde ».

Lundi 11 janvier, un groupe d’actionnaires a soumis à HSBC une résolution exigeant que celle-ci publie un plan annuel pour réduire ses financements des entreprises polluantes. Les défenseurs de la motion, coordonnés par l’association britannique ShareAction, comprennent d’importants investisseurs institutionnels, dont Amundi, géant français de la gestion d’actifs, La Banque postale Asset Management et Man Group, le plus gros fonds spéculatif coté au monde.

Germany's transition to clean energy has had successes that can serve as models for other countries of how to combat climate change. But one of the most important lessons comes from a failure: The nation's decades-long unwillingness to cut emissions from cars and trucks.

78 out of 154 universities joined campaign in blow to big oil’s ‘social licence’, campaigners say

In November 2019, the European Investment Bank announced that it was stopping fossil fuel investment. Elsewhere, ratings agencies raised concerns about the risks oil majors were carrying by not adjusting to a low-carbon future. The growing push against fossil fuel investments comes on the back of pressure from activists and politicians, as well as doubts over their future worth. But divestment will not happen by itself, regulation is needed too. Last month, we sat down with Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP and economist, to discuss the EU’s sustainable finance package, alternatives to the current banking model, and the role speculation played in Brexit.

The remaining carbon budget to limit global warming to 1.5°C will be exhausted as early as 2028, even as the transition to low-carbon energy gains momentum, according to risk management firm DNV GL, which calls for “extraordinary policy action” to lower emissions.

Germany's federal cabinet has presented a bill to allocate €40 billion to some federal states so they can prepare for structural changes related to transitioning away from coal. However, it remains unclear when the power plants will be shut down. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Debate over the cost merits of fossil fuels against renewable power generation has traditionally focused on the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE), which has dropped dramatically in the case of wind and solar power. But that ignores the upfront capital costs, which are still up to seven times higher for renewables, writes Mike Parr.

The 2010s proved to be a breakthrough decade for climate policy at the global and European level. Growing awareness of the scale of risk associated with anthropogenic climate change, coupled with the decreasing cost of a number of low-carbon energy technologies, contributed to an increased acceptance of transition. At the same time, following the failed climate summit in Copenhagen, the rules of international cooperation to protect the climate underwent a deep transformation. The Paris Agreement created a new global climate policy framework, based on a gradual, bottom-up increase of ambitions in individual countries and regions.

Achieving the UK’s goal of reaching ​‘net zero’ emissions by 2050 will require far-reaching changes to transform the UK economy and put it on a more sustainable path. Greening the finance system is a key part of this transition. While aligning the private financial sector with the UK’s climate goals is an urgent priority, the scale and speed of the transition means that public finance must also lead by example.

By divesting from fossil fuels and increasing sustainable investments in climate solutions, cities around the world can demonstrate strong climate leadership and signal their support for achieving the crucial 1.5°C goal. Cities including London, New York City, Auckland, Berlin, Copenhagen, Melbourne, Oslo and Stockholm are already proving that city-led Divest/Invest action is possible and impactful. Making divestment commitments at the city level can also empower city leaders to become advocates for accelerated climate action nationally and globally.

The European Union should phase out its funding of oil, gas and coal projects, EU finance ministers said in a joint statement on Friday (8 November), in a move that could mark a major shift in the bloc's efforts to combat climate change.

These past few weeks have shown that we have the people power we need to solve the climate crisis and end the age of fossil fuels. Now, we just need to hit the fossil fuel industry where it hurts: their wallets.

By investing US$1.83 trillion -  about 2% of global GDP - per year in cutting urban emissions, national governments would generate annual returns worth US$2.80 trillion in 2030 and US$6.98 trillion in 2050, a report released Thursday (19 September) finds.

"We found that none of the oil majors has a business model that is compatible with the goals of Paris Agreement and thus we decided to sell them all," Anders Schelde, the fund's chief investment officer, told DW. "We put them all on our blacklist, our exclusion list."

Redirecting small portion of subsidies would unleash clean energy revolution, says report