Everything we do needs energy. The type of energy we use shapes the world around us, from how clean is the air we breathe, to how shock-proof our economies are.A rapid transition in energy use is at the centre of solving climate breakdown. The world still uses coal, oil and gas for over 80 percent of its energy needs. But the rise of renewable energy around the world is beating all expectations. Meeting climate targets means more than just having lots of solar panels and wind turbines, though – it means leaving fossil fuels in the ground, and radically reducing the amount of energy used in high-consuming countries and groups of people.
Story of change
Reclaiming power: The rapid rise of community renewable energy and why the added benefits of local, clean power can help accelerate transitionRenewable energy is on the rise. It made up more than a quarter of global electricity generation (27%) in 2019 and is outpacing all other energy sources’ growing capacity. Nevertheless, it is...
A rapid transition to clean and lower energy use can bring jobs, a wide range of health benefits, cleaner air and a more stable climate. Evidence shows that where communities own and develop renewable energy schemes the benefits spread more broadly and any problems are more easily overcome. It’s around energy that some of the most rapid and promising changes are happening right now.
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Commentary
Keeping on track: a European culture trip by trainA major part of any rapid transition away from carbon-intensive activities requires rethinking how we travel. During the pandemic, the attitudes of many...
Reset series
Repair and maintenance – how we learned to use our hands againThe human urge to mend, repair and improve is nothing new – it has just been forgotten and gone untrained, buried under an avalanche of mass produced...
Story of change
Citizen-led retrofitting: how the poor relation of climate policy is becoming its secret weaponLessons for rapid transition: A citizen-led renovation model ensures that policy is aligned with local needs, while stimulating skills, business and supply...
Commentary
A one-stop shop for greener homesIt is about time the UK government got to grips with retrofitting existing housing to scale up home energy efficiency across the country. One way to do this...
Commentary
Why COP26 failed on fossil fuelsFor the first time at a key climate summit, the F word got a mention in the final text: fossil fuels. Yet even then, extensive lobbying ended with the word...
Story of change
Free public transport: the new global initiative clearing the air, roads and helping keep climate targets on trackAll around the world, cities, towns and even whole countries are waking up to the many benefits that come from making public transport completely free. In...
Story of change
Faith in rapid transition: how calls for rapid climate action are rising from the major world religionsAll around the world, the fossil fuel industry is finding itself the target of faith based groups, most recently in their support for the growing call for a...
Commentary
Norway and the climate debate in the electionCould a country that has built its whole identity and welfare on oil, start winding up its searching and drilling for oil? The answer might be bubbling in...
Commentary
World Car Free DayToday is World Car Free Day – a day where people all around the world get to experience the wonder, joy and freedom that comes with removing cars from our...