In brief | 30 September '24

Bloomberg: VW’s second pofit warning exposes a carmaker in decline

German manufacturer expects to sell fewer vehicles this year. Bungled EV shift and China slump are among VW’s many challenges.

European Environment Agency: Renovations, sustainable building materials can boost Europe’s green transition

Smart renovations with efficient use of energy and resources can help Europe increase sustainability of housing sector.

Bloomberg: Office property slump makes climate upgrade costs even riskier

As much as 80% of Europe’s office stock is over 10 years old. Annual capital expenditure requirement forecast to rise 30%.

ERCST: Future of emissions trading in the EU: Coverage Analysis

This report, the first of seven, examines possible scope extensions of the emission trading coverage both sectorial and geographic.

Industry for 2035: 50 Companies call for no re-opening of the EU 2035 cars target

CEOs and executives from Volvo, Uber, Maersk, leasing giant Ayvens among those calling on the EU to not re-open the 2035 zero-emission target for cars and vans.

Bloomberg: EU aims to block Chinese hydrogen tech in resilience push

Projects will have to limit use of Chinese electrolyzer tech. Move is part of efforts to boost European competitiveness.

Guardian: End of an era as Britain’s last coal-fired power plant shuts down

UK’s 142-year history of coal-fired electricity ends as turbines at Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant in Nottinghamshire stop for good.

Ember: Coal generation in OECD countries falls below half of its peak

As the UK, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, closes its last coal power plant, almost all OECD countries are making good progress on phasing out coal power, replacing it predominantly with solar and wind.

Interesting Engineering: World’s largest cavern thermal energy storage to warm a city year-round

The caverns in Finland will store renewable energy in the form of heat that can be supplied to the existing district heating system.

Guardian: Melting glaciers force Switzerland and Italy to redraw part of Alpine border

Two countries agree to modifications beneath Matterhorn peak, one of Europe’s highest summits.