Urban issues and Climate Change. Also@patrickwillcock
Greater Birmingham UK
Joined January 2010
- Tweets24.2K
- Following2K
- Followers1.9K
- Likes3.3K
Interesting blog post by @SimonPirani1 about why The Lower Thames Crossing is not needed. Will Labour cancel it given its poor environmental credentials or will it be ushered through under the false god of growth?
theecologist.org/2024/aug/06…
patrick willcocks retweeted
“Electrification has been touted as a silver bullet: an easy solution that alleviates the GHG burden from car owners worldwide. This isn’t the case. Extensive vehicle electrification only lowers emissions by a portion of what’s needed.” Via @WRIRossCities itdp.org/2021/12/09/why-elec…
It is important to get to the bottom of this issue. – at Eltham, London
There is a mystery at the heart of Britain's transport. Why does it cost more than twice European average to create trams & >3 times as much as in Germany? Our latest report with @BritainRemade sets out to solve the puzzle & make practical & actionable proposals to fix it & boost productivity and housebuilding. A short🧵
createstreets.com/projects/1…
patrick willcocks retweeted
Wind and solar are adding new energy capacity faster than LNG or nuclear ever have
And it’s getting quicker, with China leading the way, and as solar module prices, in particular, fall to record lows
reneweconomy.com.au/wind-and… #climate
Electricity generation is getting more sustainable and for the time being we are using less of it. – at Birmingham, England
NEW ANALYSIS
UK electricity in 2023
🔥Fossil fuel gen lowest since 1957
⛰️ Lowest ever fossil share 33%
🌄 Record renewables TWh & %
🏆 Cleanest ever power 162gCO2/kWh
📉 Demand -91TWh since 2005
43% renewable
31% gas
13% nuclear
7% imports
1% coal
carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-…
patrick willcocks retweeted
This is a *must-read* thread.
It gets to the v heart of how the anti-net-zero lobbyists based at Tufton St use credulous, client journalists to spread their misinformation
Except, this time, a series of epic clangers has left them all looking *extremely* dumb and naive...
Fascinating discussion about Birmingham's under performance in an event held by @resfoundation. They together with @CentreforCities argue that there needs to be much greater focus on growing city centre, public transport to it and attracting in higher valued tradeable services.
@edcox_devo for @WestMids_CA arguing one needs a much more nuanced strategy focusing on the strengths of the West Midlands as a whole whilst recognising it is very important to grow the City Centre. It was a whistle-stop session which could have done with more time. Thanks @PwC
patrick willcocks retweeted
Is CCS glass half-full or half-empty? It seems more empty than full. In last three decades, over $83 billion has been spent on CCS projects. In 2022, CCS captured 0.1% of global emissions. 78% of CCS projects canceled, with 40 now operating commercially.
bloomberg.com/features/2023-…
A significant commitment from the EU to increase the share of renewables to 42.5% of Energy used by 2030. (Not just electricity supply). The question is given the worsening climate is this enough?
EU legislates significantly higher renewables targets: 42.5% of EU energy to be renewable by 2030 (up from 22.1% today)
+ new renewables targets for buildings
+ faster permitting for wind and solar
That’s saving more money and lives, faster
euractiv.com/section/energy-… #climate
patrick willcocks retweeted
The Doughnut's ecological ceiling just got updated and the news is not good.
MAJOR UPDATE: All planetary boundaries are assessed, and six are crossed.
For the first time ever, scientists have quantified all nine planetary boundaries. Six of them are already transgressed and we are increasing pressure on the others.
Read more: buff.ly/45Ps1QG
patrick willcocks retweeted
When you compare national governments to cities, the difference when it comes to taking bold climate action is striking.
Great to have the support of fellow global mayors @BeppeSala @Val_Plante and @RaymondJohansen for London's ULEZ. 🇮🇹 🇳🇴 🇨🇦
theguardian.com/environment/…
patrick willcocks retweeted
"Sunak plans to restrict councils..." - the details of what he wants to restrict don't matter much. It's the urge to restrict that makes the UK an underperforming economy. Everything decided by the centre, its institutions, and its machinery of government. theguardian.com/politics/202…
Methane leaks make natural gas (methane) as bad as coal for the climate. – at Birmingham, England
This Post is from an account that no longer exists. Learn more
Climate finance doesn't reach the countries that need it most. Interesting overview. downtoearth.org.in/blog/clim… – at Birmingham, England
Lessons for local authorities and central government on area based housing retrofit. – at Birmingham, England
📢NEW @E3G report: How to enable locally led retrofit🏠
There is an intrinsically local dimension to decarbonising our homes, which makes local authorities well-placed to support. However, barriers stand in the way of effective delivery 🧵
e3g.org/publications/enablin…
Interesting how vacant IKEA stores are being reused. One in London is going to be a massive club venue. One in Coventry is for storing of the Council's collections as well as units for creatives. Retail shrinks creative uses rise. coventrytelegraph.net/news/c…
secretldn.com/drumsheds-musi… – at Birmingham, England
patrick willcocks retweeted
Interesting reporting on #migrant crisis from @bbcr4today in Tunisia. It will Only get worse as the #climate heats faster than most scientists expected. @rburgessbbc @BBCJustinR @DavidShukman @BBCTomFeilden