All posts tagged: sustainability

O2’s 3G switch-off may generate £13m in electronic waste

O2’s 3G switch-off may generate £13m in electronic waste

Published by skeptic

In a move set to modernise the UK’s telecommunications landscape, O2 will begin shutting down its 3G network in April 2025. While the 3G switch-off promises to improve 4G and 5G connectivity, it is also poised to leave a significant environmental footprint. New research from BusinessWaste.co.uk highlights that the transition could generate over £13m in discarded electronic waste, raising concerns about sustainability and resource recovery. Why is 3G being phased out? The primary reason for the 3G switch-off is to repurpose its bandwidth for more efficient 4G and 5G services. This will improve connectivity and reduce signal dead spots, benefiting millions of users. The UK government has set a 2033 deadline to phase out both 2G and 3G networks, with providers like Vodafone and EE already making the shift. O2’s decision, however, is particularly significant due to its large customer base and the fact that several major networks, including Tesco Mobile, GiffGaff, and Virgin Media, rely on O2’s infrastructure. The phased shutdown will begin in Durham before rolling out nationwide. The link between 3G switch-off …

How Europe’s energy efficiency revolution is driving sustainability

How Europe’s energy efficiency revolution is driving sustainability

Published by skeptic

Nathalie Hemeleers, Director of EU Affairs at the Solar Impulse Foundation, one of EUSEW‘s partner organisations, highlights the critical role of energy efficiency, emphasising its importance in driving decarbonisation, competitiveness, resource optimisation, innovative solutions, and supportive financing and policies. Decarbonising our energy supply through renewable sources of energy is absolutely key. However, if the current wasteful practices continue, renewable energy consumption will just add to the current consumption of fossil fuels instead of replacing it. Investing in a more efficient energy system is key to decarbonisation, competitiveness, and security. A world stuck in the past The world we live in is stuck in the past. The technologies allowing us to exploit resources have remained largely unchanged since the Industrial Revolution. Our economy is characterised by waste and inefficiency. Consider that internal combustion engines lose more than two-thirds of the energy we create, and more than a quarter of our drinking water is lost every year due to preventable and treatable leaks in the distribution network. Or consider that a third of the food we produce is …

Sustainable building materials create better indoor climates

Sustainable building materials create better indoor climates

Published by skeptic

Researchers from ETH Zurich have investigated the use of sustainable building materials to provide better passive dehumidification of indoor spaces. Rather than being released into the environment by a mechanical ventilation system, the moisture is temporarily stored in the sustainable building materials and later released when the room is ventilated. The researchers studied the effects of hygroscopic materials, which helped high humidity be absorbed by walls and ceilings and temporarily stored there. “Our solution is suitable for high-traffic spaces for which the ventilation systems already in place are insufficient,” explained Guillaume Habert, Professor for Sustainable Construction, who supervised the ETH research project. Sustainable building materials from marble quarrying The team followed the principle of the circular economy in their search for suitable hygroscopic materials. The starting point is finely ground waste from marble quarries. A binder is needed to turn this powder into moisture-binding wall and ceiling components. This task is performed by a geopolymer, a class of materials consisting of metakaolin (known from porcelain production) and an alkaline solution (potassium silicate and water). The …

Leveraging private capital to realise Draghi’s vision for Europe

Leveraging private capital to realise Draghi’s vision for Europe

Published by skeptic

Dr Tobias Lechtenfeld, a key member of the Energy Resilience Leadership Group (ERLG), and Executive Director of Tech for Net Zero, discusses how Europe must respond to the Draghi report by leveraging private capital to achieve net zero. In this article, Lechtenfeld covers how Europe’s private capital can be mobilised to drive investment by de-risking large-scale projects and creating incentives for investors, as well as the need for financial organisations and governments to enable Europe’s market strengths to deliver on the vast potential of its green and digital economies. Mario Draghi’s comprehensive 400-page report is nothing short of an intellectual tour de force. It dissects the complex socio-economic challenges Europe faces while offering a bold vision for transformation. Central to his thesis is the need for an astounding €800 billion in annual investments to meet the EU’s 2030 targets for jobs, industrial modernisation, and climate goals. But here’s the fundamental question: where will the money come from? Let’s be clear on one point—public funding alone won’t suffice. Europe’s ambitions will require much more than simply …

Changing tides for tech businesses as the ESPR comes into force

Changing tides for tech businesses as the ESPR comes into force

Published by skeptic

Lars Rensing, CEO of Digital Product Passport solutions provider Protokol, discusses the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and how this will impact tech businesses. When we consider the modern consumer, it is no surprise that waste is becoming an increasing strain on our planet. As technology continues to advance at such a staggering rate, our desire to possess the latest gadgets is having major knock-on effects on the environment and the amount of waste we send to landfills. To focus on technology companies and their role in this story, e-waste is the most prominent issue that must be addressed. To put these issues concerning electronic waste into perspective: “e-waste remains one of the fastest-growing solid waste streams in the world… with less than a quarter of e-waste produced globally in 2022 being known to be formally recycled.” Given the staggering statistics above, it’s unsurprising that the European Union has been implementing a range of initiatives to tackle such global issues. Ultimately, with the goal of supporting greater circularity and championing more sustainable business practices. …

The cultural complexities of phasing out coal mining in Europe

The cultural complexities of phasing out coal mining in Europe

Published by skeptic

Agnieszka Szostok, Blanka Tarsoly and Devesh Mishra,  European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) Young Energy Ambassadors, discuss the socio-cultural impact of phasing out coal mining in Europe and inclusive strategies to honour heritage while transitioning to sustainable energy. The phase-out of coal across the European Union is essential to combating climate change. However, for coal-dependent regions, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, coal is not just a source of energy – it is part of their cultural fabric. Understanding the socio-cultural impact of the transition away from coal is key to ensuring an inclusive transition while preserving culture and leaving no one behind. Historical significance of coal mining in Europe Coal mining has played a transformative role in shaping Europe’s industrial and economic history. During the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries, coal became the primary driver of industrialisation, powering factories, railways, and urban expansion. In countries like Romania, Germany, and Poland, coal mining was the backbone of economic growth, providing jobs to millions. Silesia in Poland, the Ruhr region in Germany, and Jiu …

Are global policies doing enough to combat Arctic climate change?

Are global policies doing enough to combat Arctic climate change?

Published by skeptic

The Arctic region is experiencing some of the most dramatic and rapid changes in the global climate. As the Earth’s northernmost region, it is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with temperatures rising at more than twice the global average. This phenomenon, known as Arctic amplification1, has profound consequences not only for local ecosystems and Indigenous communities but also for global weather patterns, sea levels, and biodiversity. Combating Arctic climate change requires urgent and comprehensive policy responses at local, national, and international levels. This article discusses several key policies and strategies that have been implemented and improvements to help further address this pressing issue. International policy to combat Arctic climate change Worldwide policies and initiatives to combat Arctic climate change include: EU Arctic Policy The EU aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy sources in the Arctic. It also supports the Arctic Council’s goal of reducing black carbon emissions by 33% by 2025. UK Glasgow Climate Pact The UK’s policy framework aims to reduce emissions and achieve a net zero …

US accelerates climate action with .8bn direct air capture funding

US accelerates climate action with $1.8bn direct air capture funding

Published by skeptic

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a major initiative to combat climate change, offering up to $1.8bn in funding to support the development and commercialisation of direct air capture (DAC) technologies. This move marks a significant step toward achieving large-scale carbon removal from the atmosphere, reinforcing America’s global competitiveness in clean energy and creating economic opportunities for communities nationwide. What is direct air capture? Direct air capture is an advanced climate technology designed to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere. Unlike traditional carbon capture methods that focus on emissions from industrial sources, DAC targets CO2 that has already been released, referred to as ‘legacy emissions.’ This makes DAC a critical tool for addressing historical contributions to climate change. Direct air capture systems use chemical processes to capture CO2, which can then be stored underground in geological formations or utilised in products like concrete or synthetic fuels. By providing a scalable solution to remove atmospheric carbon, DAC holds immense potential for mitigating the impacts of climate change and achieving net-zero emissions …

US progress towards a circular economy for plastics revealed

US progress towards a circular economy for plastics revealed

Published by skeptic

With a clear call to action for stronger collaboration among businesses, policymakers, and the public, the report underscores the urgent need to embrace innovative solutions and systemic change to achieve a circular economy for plastics. Progress in tackling plastic waste Over the past year, the U.S. Plastics Pact’s network of 135 Activators has made measurable strides in transforming the lifecycle of plastics. This collective effort is yielding tangible results, offering hope for a future circular economy for plastics. Reducing problematic plastics A key milestone has been reducing reliance on materials deemed harmful or unnecessary. Currently, 22% of Activators have removed such items from their product lines, with additional efforts underway to meet goals set for 2025. Redesigning for sustainability Sustainable packaging has seen a marked improvement, with adoption rates rising to 50% compared to just 36% in 2021. These advancements are not only enhancing recyclability but also fostering a shift toward circular design principles. Incorporating recycled content The integration of post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials in packaging has also increased, now averaging 11% across products. This …

Uniting science and Indigenous knowledge for arctic research

Uniting science and Indigenous knowledge for arctic research

Published by skeptic

ArcticNet, a leading Network of Centres of Excellence in Canada, discusses the latest scientific priorities in Arctic research and how it is tackling these urgent climate challenges. The Arctic has become a focal point for scientific inquiry as the effects of climate change increasingly reshape this unique and fragile region. Once seen as a distant frontier, the Arctic now plays a critical role in understanding global environmental shifts. Researchers from across disciplines are working together to uncover how the rapid warming in this area is influencing ecosystems, weather patterns, and human communities, not only in the far North but across the entire planet. With the Arctic warming at an unprecedented rate, the stakes for understanding these changes and developing sustainable solutions have never been higher. Today’s scientific efforts in the Arctic extend far beyond documenting environmental changes. Researchers are also grappling with complex social, economic, and geopolitical issues. Indigenous communities, whose livelihoods and cultures are deeply intertwined with the land and sea, are among the first to experience the impacts of the shifting Arctic environment. …