Environment

We are proud to announce that Comment:Visions is media partner for The World Biofuels Markets Congress & Exhibition, Rotterdam 2012, helping bring together the entire value chain of the biofuels industry to do business.Read more

We are seeking expert opinions on the discussion: What role does society have in delivering a sustainable energy future?Read more

Launched 2005, the EU Emissions Trading System is designed to help member states achieve their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, allowing participating organizations and states to buy-and-sell emissions allowances as they need.

But the recent lull in manufacturing and therefore demand for power in the wake of the global financial crisis has created a false reduction in emissions since 2008 that can only rise as the economy re-starts – and this has driven down the price of carbon traded on the open market as credits remain unused.

Now approaching its third phase, what impact has the ETS had in Europe to date?

Discussion: Is Europe’s Emissions Trading Scheme effective?

Related Content:

Discussion: If adoption of Carbon Capture and Storage is urgent, then why isn't it happening faster?

Live Debate: Mutual dependence: securing Europe’s energy supply

Discussion: After COP 15, who or what will drive the push towards developing clean energy?

We're seeking expert viewpoints on the discussion question: Is Europe’s Emissions Trading Scheme effective?Read more

What role does gas play in a low carbon energy future?  In this month’s edition, we discuss:

- how using more gas in power generation can or cannot make contribution at the lowest cost to meeting emission reduction targets in this decade

- the economical arguments for and against using more gas in power generation

- the role that technology and innovation play in unlocking the world’s gas resources

- what is needed from policy makers to ensure gas is or is not considered as a fuel to meet CO2 reduction targets

Discussion: What is the role for gas in a low-carbon energy future?

Related Content:

Live Debate -- Will unconventional gas become conventional?

Discussion -- What role should oil sands play in the world’s future energy mix?

Live Debate -- Oil sands – where next for EU energy policy?

Two of our commentvisions.com contributors -- Satya Das and Dr. Jonathan Trent -- spoke about oil sands and biofuels respectively at locally organised TEDx talks.Read more

We would like to invite you to contribute a written online comment in our Comment:Visions discussion on ‘Energy Roadmap 2050’. Coming up on the website, we are discussing the following question: Which energy sources will we be using in 2050?Read more

It is an inescapable fact that the world needs energy to keep moving, manufacturing and developing. With the global population increasing to 9bn by 2050 – and changes in lifestyle as we become more affluent – energy demand will only increase.

With conventional oil production near its peak and the political climate in much of the world’s supply fields increasingly volatile, new ways need to be found to securely meet demand as we search for a viable alternative to oil.

Discussion: What role should oil sands play in the world's future energy mix?

Related Content:

Live Debate - Oil sands – where next for EU energy policy?

Subject: Will unconventional gas become conventional?

Subject: Mutual dependence: securing Europe's energy supply

Our producer Jeremy Wilks caught up with his interviewees backstage of the June 2011 programme. Here are bonus videos for Clean Energy Innovation.Read more

Innovation is a leading theme in the energy world, as established players and startup companies strive to find the best route to sustainable, low-carbon development while still making sure that there is security of supply. In this edition of Comment Visions we examine the theme of innovation from several angles, examining the process of innovation, the barriers to rapid development and deployment of clean energy ideas, and how intelligent thinking can make the best of renewable energy resources.

Discussion: How can we speed up innovation in energy technology to ensure a secure and sustainable energy future?

Related Content:

Live Debate -- Not in my backyard? Can Europe win public acceptance for low-carbon infrastructure projects?

Programme -- Being smart with electricity

Programme -- Automation – can clever devices be the answer to saving energy?