News Update 27.01.2025

• The Irish Independent reveals that Ireland needs “mind-blowing” cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to meet climate pledges, according to Professor Kevin Anderson, an expert in energy and climate change. He says Ireland must cut CO2 emissions by 30% annually to align with the global goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C. https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mind-blowing-cuts-in-greenhouse-gases-needed-for-ireland-to-meet-climate-pledges-scientist-warns/a1271239894.html?

?

• According to The Irish Times, across the country, volatile natural gas prices have raised concerns about potential energy bill hikes. Ireland’s heavy reliance on natural gas, which generates about half of its electricity, “exacerbates the issue”. While medium-term electricity price increases are possible, immediate threats are minimal due to pre-purchased supplies.?https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/01/27/volatile-natural-gas-prices-spark-concerns-of-hikes-in-energy-bills/?

?

• The Journal reports that Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) is challenging the Irish government’s 2023 Climate Action Plan in the High Court. They argue the plan fails to specify how Ireland will meet its legally binding carbon budgets. The Environmental Protection Agency predicts Ireland will exceed its first two carbon budgets by 17-27%.?https://www.thejournal.ie/environment-group-brings-government-to-high-court-over-climate-action-plan-6605924-Jan2025/?

?

• Outlined by BreakingNews.ie, in the aftermath of Storm éowyn, thousands of homes in Ireland face cold nights without power. Interestingly, electric cars could help this issue if the national grid supported vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. This concept, proposed as early as 2010, allows EV owners to sell excess battery charge back to the grid during peak times and buy it back at off-peak rates.?https://www.breakingnews.ie/explained/could-electric-cars-help-us-keep-the-lights-on-during-power-cuts-1722265.html?

?

• The Irish Examiner features a recent study published in Nature Energy, revealing that electric vehicles now have a lifespan comparable to petrol and diesel cars. Researchers estimated that EVs last about 18.4 years, similar to petrol cars at 18.7 years, and longer than diesel cars at 16.8 years. The study, based on 300 million roadworthiness records, highlighted that EVs are becoming more reliable due to fewer moving parts and rapid technological improvements.?https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41560792.html?

?

• Kevin O’Sullivan from The Irish Times examines Donald Trump’s recent climate actions, highlighting that the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could push the earth to ‘dangerous tipping points’. Trump claims this move will save over a trillion dollars, but critics argue it disrupts global climate efforts and harms the planet. Tjada D’Oyen McKenna of Mercy Corps notes that it weakens US commitments to reducing emissions and aiding vulnerable communities. https://www.irishtimes.com/world/us/2025/01/27/trumps-blunderbuss-strategies-on-climate-and-energy-may-backfire-in-ways-he-has-not-envisaged/?

?

• In a report by The Financial Times, the EU is considering pan-European subsidies to boost electric vehicle sales, as proposed by Germany. Teresa Ribera, European Commission executive vice-president, said officials are exploring options to avoid national subsidy competition. This follows Germany’s end to its own subsidy scheme in 2023, which led to a drop in EV sales. The challenge is to design a scheme that complies with WTO rules and avoids benefiting Chinese carmakers.?https://www.ft.com/content/b950086b-8671-47c2-9f8b-e546debd346b?

?

• Reported by BBC News, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda has stated that gas flows from Russia to Western Europe should never be restored, even if a peace deal is reached between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Duda emphasized that the Nord Stream pipelines, which have been inactive since 2022, should be dismantled to prevent European countries, particularly Germany, from resuming Russian gas imports.?https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1m5p21pmy2o?