Latest news with #GranthamResearchInstitute
E&E News
8 hours ago
- Politics
- E&E News
Top national courts hear more climate cases worldwide
The field of climate litigation is growing in reach and influence across the planet, even as legal efforts to address global warming face stiff 'political headwinds,' new research finds. Climate activists are notching wins in countries such as Brazil, and an increasing number of climate cases are reaching top national courts, according to the latest annual report from the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science. But those advances are tempered somewhat by a backlash against environmental, social and governance factors, as well as attempts by the Trump administration to roll back climate change regulations and quash climate lawsuits. Advertisement 'We have seen over the past year not only a further maturing of climate-aligned strategic litigation to promote climate action but we have also recorded a rise in cases pushing back against climate action, which presents new challenges for politicians, businesses and climate activists,' said Joana Setzer, associate professorial research fellow at the institute. 'The situation in the United States shows that litigation is a two-way street and can be used to help climate action and also to slow it down.'
Scientific American
2 days ago
- Business
- Scientific American
AI Could Be Harnessed to Cut More Emissions Than It Creates
CLIMATEWIRE | Artificial intelligence could cut global climate pollution by up to 5.4 billion metric tons a year over the next decade if it's harnessed in ways that would improve transportation, energy and food production. Those reductions would outweigh even the expected increase in global energy consumption and emissions that would be created by running power-hungry data centers associated with AI, according to research by the Grantham Research Institute that was published in the journal npj Climate Action. 'The key will be to channel practical AI applications towards key impact areas to accelerate the market adoption rate and efficiency of low-carbon solutions,' the study said, noting that governments will have a vital role to play. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. 'Governments must regulate AI to minimise their environmental footprint,' the study said, pointing to the need for energy efficient AI models and the use of renewable energy to power data centers. It also says governments should invest in AI infrastructure and education in developing countries, 'ensuring that the benefits of AI are shared equitably.' The use of AI has boomed in recent years and President Donald Trump has made its expansion a priority as he seeks to outcompete China on advanced technologies. But its voracious use of energy has raised concerns about its climate impact, particularly as Trump and other officials argue that winning the race for AI is a reason to expand fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency projects that by 2030 data centers will consume twice as much electricity as they do today. Growing energy demands are already challenging the U.S. grid, and oil companies are using AI to find new areas to drill. BloombergNEF has said fossil fuels will provide most of the new power for data centers over the next decade, imperiling efforts to cut carbon pollution. There are ways to mitigate the damage, the Grantham study said. It outlines five areas where AI can be harnessed to reduce emissions, including consumer behavior, energy management and technology innovation. For example, AI can help integrate renewables into the grid by better forecasting supply and demand fluctuations and help the grid distribute energy more accurately, reducing concerns about intermittency. That can increase the uptake of solar and wind and lower the use of polluting backup power sources, the report said. 'Power grids are at the heart of the entire economy, so improving their efficiency reduces emissions across multiple sectors,' Roberta Pierfederici, a policy fellow at the Grantham Research Institute and author of the study, said in an email. AI can also identify new types of protein to replace meat and dairy in human diets — industries that are heavy emitters. And it can improve transportation by lowering the cost of electric vehicles through battery improvements or encouraging people to switch to shared transport. Those actions combined could reduce emissions by 3.2 billion to 5.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually by 2035 compared to their current trajectory, the study said. That's more than the entire European Union. By comparison, the U.S. released 6.2 billion metric tons of climate pollution in 2023. Those cuts are not in line with what's needed to keep global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius since the beginning of the industrial age. But they could keep a check on warming by more than offsetting the emissions released by using AI. The study estimated that energy emissions tied to data centers and AI will reach 0.4 billion to 1.6 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent over the next decade. The study does have its limitations, given how quickly the field of AI is changing. The authors acknowledged that they might have underestimated AI's potential to reduce emissions, because they only looked at how AI is applied currently to three sectors. On the other hand, the study didn't consider how energy efficiency gains from AI could lead to increased consumption elsewhere that could drive emissions up. Pierfederici said while the rise in emissions from data centers is a valid concern, she believes the study makes a strong case for using AI to help tackle rising temperatures. 'That said, governments need to play an active role in guiding how AI is applied and governed, to make sure the downsides are managed effectively and the full potential of AI for climate action is realized,' she added.
Free Malaysia Today
09-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Tap the sun for energy, climate expert tells Malaysia
Climate expert Bob Ward said that making the transition to green energy will reduce dependence on fossil fuel, thus spurring long-term growth and innovation. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The low proportion of renewables in Malaysia's enery mix, which is behind even that of Haiti, should prompt the country to embrace solar energy, according to a British climate expert. Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics, said he found it 'slightly striking' that solar energy does not have greater prominence. 'Malaysia is behind Haiti in terms of the share of its electricity generated from renewables, particularly from solar, despite its huge potential,' he told FMT. 'Solar is the world's cheapest form of energy. Its low cost leads to reduced spending for businesses and households, which is good for the economy,' he said. According to the latest data from the International Renewable Energy Agency, renewables account for 20% of Haiti's energy mix, compared with roughly 18% for Malaysia. Ward attributed Malaysia's 'underperformance' partly to its growing reliance on coal. In 2023, Malaysia imported US$5.12 billion worth of coal briquettes, making it the seventh-largest coal importer globally, according to The Observatory of Economic Complexity. Key suppliers included Indonesia (US$2.98 billion or 58% of imports), Australia (US$1.36 billion or 27%), and Russia (US$398 million or 8%). The International Energy Agency reported that coal accounted for 39% of Malaysia's carbon dioxide emissions from fuel combustion in 2022 – a jump of more than nine times from 2000. Over the same period, coal's share of electricity generation rose by more than 10 times to 46.8%. Ward said solar energy could help insulate Malaysia from the risks tied to global oil prices and geopolitical shifts that have mostly been driven by Donald Trump's return to the White House. 'To make the economy less vulnerable to market volatilities, Malaysia should diversify from oil and gas. 'Malaysia is vulnerable to changes in global oil prices. Trump's ambition to flood the market with American oil adds to that uncertainty,' he said. In January, Trump signed executive orders declaring a national energy emergency and rolled back Biden-era restrictions on oil and gas production in the US, including in Alaska. Ward said that amid such volatility, solar offers Malaysia a more stable path forward. 'It is a reliable source of electricity – one that does not depend on imports. It will be the Malaysian sun that powers your economy,' he said. 'The economics are much more favourable than other energy sources. Given Malaysia's location, there's great potential for generating large amounts of electricity.' Looking ahead, Ward said a shift toward clean energy would also unlock broader economic benefits. 'You can start building industries powered by clean, green energy, thus moving away from fossil fuels. 'The future is a bright and promising one, driven by creativity, innovation, and greater prosperity. It will spur development and economic growth. So why wouldn't we want that?' he added.
Free Malaysia Today
07-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Asean can fill climate leadership void amid US retreat, says expert
Climate expert Bob Ward said Asean had a key role to play in driving global climate action, especially amid waning US leadership under Donald Trump. PETALING JAYA : US president Donald Trump's return to the White House has opened the door for Asean nations to take the lead on global climate action, an expert said. Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics, said Malaysia, as Asean chair, should seize the opportunity to lead climate action. 'What happens here (the Asean region), and the model of economic development and growth adopted by Asean countries, will be critical in determining whether we succeed in combating climate change. 'The US doesn't look like a very good international partner on any issue, including climate change, and the rest of the world will have to get on with it,' he said in an interview with FMT. Asean already has a regional Climate Change Strategic Action Plan (2025–2030) to accelerate the bloc's transition towards meeting its targets. As the current chair, Malaysia last year launched its National Energy Transition Roadmap, which aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Ward said transitioning to alternative energy sources would be a prudent move for developing nations, offering not only environmental benefits but also strong potential for long-term economic gains. 'In the early days of climate policy, there was a perception that climate action was a burden — something each country had to shoulder and something they often tried to shift onto others. 'But the analysis now shows that the shift away from fossil fuels towards clean energy is not a burden — it's a huge economic opportunity. It's no longer about burden-sharing but about who can seize the opportunities,' he said. Ward cited China as an example, pointing to its leadership in renewable energy, electric vehicles and clean tech exports. 'It's not a trade-off between economic growth and environmental responsibility — the two go hand in hand. This is about building a sustainable economy,' he added Trump had withdrawn the US from the Paris Agreement, with the official exit taking place on Nov 4, 2020. Then president Joe Biden rejoined the agreement in January 2021. However, upon beginning his second term as president on Jan 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order initiating another withdrawal. Until the formal exit takes effect, a year after notification, the US remains bound by its climate commitments. Trump has also ordered a halt to all US contributions to global climate finance, including the US$1.3 trillion annual commitment agreed at COP29.
