The Ukraine war has pressured fossil fuel pricing, created shortages and encouraged more use of coal in the short term. However, it has also accelerated the green transition.Warm weather and greater energy efficiency means Europe has used 6-8% less electricity this winter. And around the world, capital is being mobilised to make economies more frugal. Last year governments, households and firms together spent $560bn on energy efficiency. Much of this was spent on electric vehicles and heat pumps, with almost doubled sales in both 2021 and 2022. Reason for hope?https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2023/02/13/war-and-subsidies-have-turbocharged-the-green-transition?Also see Energy Transition Web

Based on the methods of Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, and refined by Indian engineer Shubhendu Sharma, Tiny Forests are a small-scale regeneration method with a big impact. By densely planting a mix of native species at four different levels (shrubs, sub-tree, tree and tall canopy) tiny forests can grow 10 times faster than lineal, single species forests and provide 100 times greater biodiversity. Since 2015, when the Netherlands established their first Tiny Forest, there are now over 100 in existence. With the Tiny Forest and Miyawaki movements picking up all over the world.

Natural seawater as an “almost infinite” feedstock for green hydrogen - that's the promise - following just-released research led by scientists at the University of Adelaide. Undertaken with Universities also in China and America, Associate Professor Yao Zheng said “Our work provides a solution to directly utilise seawater without pre-treatment systems and alkali addition, which shows similar performance as that of existing metal-based mature pure water electrolyser.”See article below and also hear Idea Spies Energy Editor Kylie Hargreaves speak about this Tuesday 7th Feb 6pm via Climate & Peace webinar: www.climateandpeace.com.auhttps://www.innovationa

The European Union’s Emissions Trading System (from July 2021) puts a price on CO2 emissions, and has been a key driver of decarbonisation in energy and industry. From Dec 2022, the EU has decided to set up a similar scheme for the transport and heating sectors. And this includes the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) that will impact trade from Australia and the world - see details below. For expert opinions on how Australia can benefit catch the 'Transitioning to an Energy Superpower' webinar next Tuesday 6pm via; www.climateandpeace.com.auAlso see:https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/understanding-european-unions-emissions-trading-system

Australian petrol retailer Ampol has partnered with electric vehicle manufacturer SEA Electric to develop a network of charging stations. Importantly, the aim is "to support the uptake of lower emission commercial vehicles in key parts of the transport sector” as an industry-first.SEA Electric sells its own EV vehicles as well as power systems that can be fitted to existing models.According to SEA Asia/Pacific president, Bill Gilespie "we are building an entire customer led ecosystem to simplify the transition to electrification, with full factory warranty, 24/7 support and roadside assistance" plus charging stations nationally.https://www.innovationaus.com/ampol-teams-up-with-sea-electric-for-ev-charger-rollout/

The US Dept of Agriculture has approved a vaccine for honeybees to prevent further devastation to the insects, who are key to the global food supply. The vaccine, developed by Georgia-based biotech Dalan Animal Health, is targeting American Foulbrood, a widespread deadly disease in Australia, US and globally, caused by Paenibacillus larvae bacteria.To administer the novel vaccine, beekeepers can mix it into the feed the worker bees consume and then feed to the queen.This is great news as the company proposes to use the format of this vaccine to target other diseases that honeybees face. https://www.cnet.com/science/biology/first-ever-honeybee-vaccine-approved-to-target-deadly-global-disease/