Addressing methane emissions is key if the world is to succeed in limiting global warming and preventing drastic climate change. In the short-term, it is significantly more damaging to the climate than carbon dioxide. But to properly address the world’s methane problem, there needs to be data on where emissions come from. A new satellite aims to help do that. MethaneSAT was launched earlier this month and boasts unmatched accuracy and precision. It aims to keep track of 80% of the world’s oil and gas industry – one of the major polluters of methane. Daniel Zavala, a senior scientist at the ..read more

Currently, 10-25% of EU buildings host solar panels and the rooftop market continues to grow. It could see another boost as Europe agrees new support for the industry. This includes the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which introduces an EU Solar Standard, expected to change solar from an add-on to a core construction element. For this live podcast recording, Watt Matters producer Kira Taylor looks into the emerging trends and what more is needed to boost the industry, with a panel of special guests: Anette Persson, policy officer at the European Commission, Nathalie Rubin-Del ..read more

Record falls in fossil fuels and record levels of renewables - Sarah Brown from think tank Ember joins the Watt Matters team to discuss Europe’s latest electricity stats The EU’s electricity transition is in full swing Ember’s European Electricity Review 2024 concludes. The report celebrates new records, including a record fall in both fossil generation and CO2 emissions. Renewables are on the up. Ember’s 2022 review found wind and solar generated a fifth of EU electricity. In 2023, they generated 44% and wind generation overtook gas for the first time. To discuss the findings and Europe’s ..read more

The energy transition is taking place in a complex world of ongoing historic geopolitical tensions and financial divides between countries. Lisa Fischer from climate think tank E3G joins the Watt Matters team to discuss decarbonisation policymaking in a complicated and adversarial world. The world needs to decarbonise if it is to limit drastic global warming. However, this is happening in the context of growing conflicts and a varying list of priorities and ideologies. With 2030 targets now just around the corner, richer nations need to show that the energy transition is possible and help ma ..read more

2024 is likely to be the year of elections, with just under half of the world’s population expected to head to the polls, according to Bloomberg. That includes major players in energy and climate, like the US, India, the EU and, potentially, the UK. These elections will take place in a world where the climate crisis and the energy transition are becoming ever more apparent in people’s lives, but also where the political climate around these topics is growing more difficult. As the world continues to face unprecedented climate impacts and works out how to implement the historic COP28 agreemen ..read more

The US’ electricity system is complicated, with each of the 50 states setting its own rules for how markets work, how power is priced and who manages customer relations.But amid the complexity, Octopus Energy US sees a big opportunity to continue its UK success story across the pond and help US customers benefit from decarbonised electricity.According to Michael Lee, the CEO of Octopus Energy US, customers can be the centrepiece of a grid based around more flexible demand if the focus is on cheaper prices and rewards for joining the road to decarbonisation.He joins Watt Matter’s David Weston a ..read more

There are no studies where absolute zero emissions can be reached with reductions alone, meaning carbon removals are crucial to reaching ‘net’ zero emissions, according to the IPCC. After the world has reached that point, any remaining emission would need to be countered by an equivalent removal from the atmosphere.Because of this, the world of carbon removals is rapidly growing in importance, from technological innovations to legislation looking into how to verify removals.To introduce us to the world of capture and storage (CCS) and carbon dioxide removals (CDR), Eve Tamme, policy expert and ..read more

Since 2015, Poland has been governed by the Law and Justice Party, which has been sceptical about EU climate policy and been at loggerheads with Brussels over rule of law, leading to the suspension of EU funds, including those earmarked for the green transition.This could all be about to change following October’s national election, where the opposition parties together won more support than the Law and Justice Party. With the groups now expected to form a coalition, this could mean a more pro-EU, climate-friendly government.To discuss what changes the new Polish government might bring about ..read more

Every year, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) puts together a report, looking at the cost of renewable power production. 2022’s shows that, despite inflation, the cost has dropped.According to the report, the global weighted average levelised cost of electricity from new utility-scale solar, onshore wind, bioenergy and geothermal production fell. Thanks to the rise in fossil fuel prices, this makes the cost argument for renewables more compelling, according to IRENA.However, the picture is complicated, with China a key driver for the drop in solar photovoltaics and onshore wind ..read more

The energy crisis put a spotlight on energy usage for British consumers as soaring bills dropped through letterboxes across the country. Renewable solutions can help tackle high prices, as well as lower emissions, and companies like Scottish Power are trying to roll these out.Heat pumps, solar panels and other solutions offer healthier home environments, lower energy bills and higher home values, but the transition can be tricky. To get around this, companies need to be transparent and help consumers understand the benefits of renewable solutions.On this week’s episode of Watt Matters, Chris C ..read more