Rhein on Energy and Climate

Many countries continue subsidising the use of petrol and fuel, among these most oil producing countries, China and emerging countries like India, Malaysia, Taiwan and Sri Lanka. The level of subsidies is generally quite substantial. Prices for petrol and fuel may be subsidised to less than half of, in the case of oil producers like… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

The entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty is widely expected to usher in a new era EU foreign and security policy. Few people have a clue of what it will really mean. Here are a few indications of what may be in store. The monthly meetings of foreign ministers will be the locus where… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

EdP, the Portuguese power utility, has sold a 25 percent stake of its renewable energy unit, EdP Renewables, for € 1.5 billion. Demand for shares exceeded five times the offer. EdP is following the example of other European utilities, in particular EDF and RWE. It is, however, more ambitious in its effort to go renewable:… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

For the past ten years, Spain has invested heavily in wind energy. After Denmark and Germany it is the third most important generator of wind energy in Europe. In doing so, Spain has acquired precious experience in the design and installation of wind turbines as well as the development of large-scale wind parks. In 2008,… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

The European Union has presently 22 official languages. The Official Journal publishes every piece of EU legislation in each of these official languages. When the 27 European heads of government or the European Parliament meet, a host of interpreters enables them to listen and speak in their national language. The Commission operates in three working… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

Environment ministers from the G 8 and 10 major emerging countries met in the Kobe, Japan, on May 24-26 in view of preparing the Hokkaido G 8 Summit in July that will focus on climate policy.The outcome has been disappointing. Ministers have not even been able to agree on reducing greenhouse gases by at least… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

This is the message that nine internationally renowned climate scientists address to the world after a thorough analysis of palaeo-climate data. The C02 content in the atmosphere has increased from 280 ppm in pre-industrial times to 385 ppm today. A quarter of the C02 emitted stays in the atmosphere for several centuries, cumulating with any… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

Wind power is the most successful renewable energy, leaving aside hydro power for which it is becoming increasingly difficult to find suitable sites in Europe and the USA. By the end of 2008 the globally installed capacity of wind power will exceed 100 GW, the equivalent of 50 nuclear power plants, if we take into… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein