Rhein on Energy and Climate

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After GM, Nissan and Peugeot BMW has decided to enter manufacturing of electric cars. On November 5th 2010, it has inaugurated its new building site in Leipzig where it hopes to produce several ten thousand “Megacity” vehicles per year as of 2013-14. Thanks to political and multi-billion Dollar financial support from governments across the world,… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

Global population keeps rising at an annual rate of about 75 million people per year¸ which is absolutely unsustainable. Continuing at this rate global population will require 30 percent more food and water by 2030, while agricultural land and fertility are coming under increasing pressure from urban growth, economic infrastructure, soil erosion and climate change.… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

I report on the single most important event of the past few weeks: the meeting of the European Council October 28/29th, which was almost completely devoted to the hot issue of European economic governance. Ignoring the nasty haggling and mounting suspicions caused by the “Deauville” Franco-German “accord” the European Council has substantially advanced the debate… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

Quietly and without the rest of the world taking much notice, China has managed during the last 20 years to establish a global monopoly over rare earths. Today, the country mines 95 percent of the global production of these minerals, which are essential for manufacturing many high-tech products from wind turbines to missiles, hybrid cars… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

After two years of debate the Council of Transport ministers has arrived at a political compromise concerning the Commission proposal for charging the external costs – air pollution, noise and congestion –caused by lorries. This will be the first time that heavy duty lorries will subject to the principle “polluter pays”. It is a big… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

Quietly and without being noted by the wider public, EU institutions have started to address the consequences climate change may have in Europe. European climate policy will therefore in future follow a dual track: mitigation, which has so far been in the limelight, and adaptation. This approach signals the rising awareness of policy makers that… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

With one month to go before the opening of the 16th ministerial climate conference in Cancun, the EU Environment Council, meeting on October 24th, has defined its expectations and “negotiation directives”. The “Council Conclusions” adopted to that end contain a lot of exaggerated hopes, couched in an excessive technical jargon. Who would not agree that… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

On October 9th 2010, the 192 member governments of the ICAO have agreed on a resolution to address C02 emissions from air traffic, which has rightly been dubbed “historic”. It calls upon • a 2 percent annual improvement of fuel efficiency up to 2050; • the development of C02 standards of aircraft engines by 2013;… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

On an ordinary October day 2010 the international media carried four reports concerning EU activities: EU moves to block a Polish deal with Russia; EU claims victory over aircraft C02 emissions; EU Parliament to extend motherhood vacation to 20 weeks; EU Presidency proposes compromise over environmental levies on trucks. Each of these apparently trivial and… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein