States of Transition | 10th April 2026 An in-person & online book launch and conversation with Professor Peter Newell, author of 'States of Transition'.

Join the ISRF @greshamcollege.bsky.social on 10th April for the launch of 'States of Transition' by @peternewell.bsky.social . Peter will be in conversation with @paulinesophieh.bsky.social & @hannahhughes.bsky.social on the role of the state in the #greentransition

📣 New #book launch

🏭️ What makes a good job in times of rapid change?

'Job Quality in a Turbulent Era' explores how #digitalisation, #AI, and the #GreenTransition are reshaping #JobQuality.

📖 Read, download, and share (open access) on Elgar Publishing: buff.ly/7fHezor

✈️ The race for fossil-free passenger aviation is accelerating:

Nordic roadmap that's matter:

bit.ly/47fOPM7

#greentransition #aviation #energy #EnergyTransition #Transport

@xAviation @AviationWG @ICLEI @transportgovuk @Eurelectric @mattiasgoldmann
@Swedavia @Fly_Norwegian

Spain slashed billions in gas imports and kept homes powered while others begged the market for mercy. Renewables aren’t “optional” — they’re survival. ✊💚
#FossilFreeFuture #GreenTransition

The importance of the EU Emissions Trading System in climate change mitigation The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is a cornerstone of European climate policy. Continued strengthening of the system, including its gradual extension to additional sectors and sources plays an imp...

EU ETS is central to Europe’s climate goals—cutting emissions, backing clean innovation, and boosting energy security. @eea.europa.eu #ClimateAction #EUETS #GreenTransition
www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/in...

"Capitalism expands by exploiting labour and appropriating nature, leading to the creation of new frontiers [...]. The #GreenTransition represents the latest phase of capitalist expansion, characterized by the opening of new resource and financial frontiers in pursuit of #RenewableEnergy sources."

At the Mediterranean Forum on Sustainable Tourism in Vietri sul Mare I started exploring the #maritime sector.

Why is #shipping under strong regulatory pressure today, even though it represents 3–5% of global #emissions? #GreenTransition

Insights here sustainabletourismworld.com/inside-the-m...

Malaysia exceeds 2025 renewable target at 32% capacity Malaysia’s installed renewable energy capacity reached 32%, surpassing the 31% target set for 2025.

Malaysia exceeds 2025 renewable target at 32% capacity

Am still concerned we are not doing things fast enough.

asian-power.com/news/malaysia-exceeds-20...

#Energy #GreenTransition #GreenEnergy

Bildungsreise Energiewende in Dänemark - Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung 9. bis 11. März 2026 boten die Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung und die RLS Schleswig-Holstein eine Bildungsreise zum Thema Energiewende nach Südjütland an. An der Reise nahmen über zwanzig WissenschaftlerInne...

From 9-11 March I led a Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung #greentransition study trip to south Jutland in #Denmark.
Our group of 20+ scientists, politicians & activists met utilities, energy activists, politicians, unions & more in the visit.
A short report (DE).
My own to follow
sh.rosalux.de/dokumentatio...

🇪🇺 🌿 Environmental reform, the #GreenTransition and climate resilience must remain at the centre of Europe’s policy choices – supporting:

- sustainability
- public health
- stronger energy systems and more resilient communities.

1/3

Danish Royals Land in Melbourne to Deepen Trade and Green Transition Ties Danish royals arrive in Melbourne for state visit focused on green transition partnerships and renewable energy cooperation with Australia.

Danish Royals Land in Melbourne to Deepen Trade and Green Transition Ties

#QueenMary #RoyalVisit #AustraliaDanmark #GreenTransition #AusNews

thedailyperspective.org/article/2026-03-16-danis...

Pentagon aggressively lobbies EU against Buy European weapons push In previously unreported remarks, the U.S. administration warned Brussels that it will retaliate if Europeans “strong-arm American companies out of the market.”

The European pivot away from US manufacturing will have an effect on the demand for the dollar.

Assuming the @consilium.europa.eu and the ECB get their act together to issue EU sovereign debt, backed by a fiscal union, and continue with the #greentransition, this shift will be noticeable.

What if sustainability tools for creatives were built by creatives?

The GreenCCIrcle HUB is open — a shared space for tools, case studies & resources for greener CCIs.

Use it. Share it. Contribute your knowledge.

🔗 Submit: hub.greenccircle.eu/hub-submissi...

#CreativeIndustries #GreenTransition

Policy recommendations for a greener European Competitiveness Fund - Bellona EU The European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) can be an incredibly powerful instrument for investing in the EU’s future. It can strongly support industrial decarbonisation while reconciling climate objectiv...

💶 As the EU prepares the next Multiannual Financial Framework #MFF (2028–2034), key decisions will shape how Europe invests in its future.

Read our take on the European Competitiveness Fund and how it can deliver for the #greentransition: eu.bellona.org/publication/...

Deliverables – RE4GREEN Research Ethics and Integrity for the GREEN transition is a Horizon Europe project aiming to support the transition to a sustainable economy & society.

🌍 Reflecting on #InternationalWomensDay, we celebrate the women shaping a greener and fairer future. At #RE4GREEN, we promote ethics, integrity, and gender-aware perspectives in the green transition.

Read Deliverable D6.5:
re4green.eu/deliverables/

#WomenInScience #GenderEquality #GreenTransition

The Hidden Costs of Oil Dependency NATIONAL BUDGETS, ECONOMIES, AND FOREIGN POLICY Around 72% of global oil reserves are controlled by members of OPEC. According to the US Dept of Energy, oil price shocks and market manipulation by OPEC cost the US economy roughly $2 trillion between 2004 and 2008. Within OPEC states, revenues from oil exports have significantly shaped political systems, allowing governments to finance state operations and consolidate power. Authoritarian regimes rely on oil income to fund security forces and suppress dissent. As the global shift toward renewable energy accelerates, countries heavily dependent on oil, and oil revenues, face growing risks of economic and political instability. [Photo of an oil tanker, docked at a busy industrial port.]

⛽🌍 #OilDependency carries economic & political costs because supply is concentrated & traded through vulnerable chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz.

With around 72% of global reserves controlled by OPEC, price shocks can ripple through economies & shape foreign policy.

#GreenTransition #GreenSky

Europe’s impotence extends to energy The political momentum behind decarbonising the continent’s energy system has dissipated

[Featured] #GreenTransition: Europe’s impotence extends to energy. The political momentum behind decarbonising the continent’s energy system has dissipated, by Martin Sandbu | Financial Times
www.ft.com/content/a6be...

End the Great Gas Rip-Off - Greenpeace UK Gas companies are rigging the system. We’re paying the price. Gas power sets the price of our electricity, even when cheaper renewables are powering the grid. The result? Families and communities stru...

End the Great Gas Rip-Off - Greenpeace UK
#FossilFuelNonoroliferationTreaty
#JustTransitionNow
#GreenTransition
fossilfueltreaty.org

www.greenpeace.org.uk/take-action/...

This is why the #greentransition is a national security issue. Opposing it is unpatriotic.

Switching to clean, local electricity in Nova Scotia is simpler than most people think. Discover the truth behind common myths and what really happens when you make the switch.

https://ow.ly/r4Sa50Yl3Vv

#GoodClimateNews #NovaScotia #CleanEnergy #GreenTransition

📣 The European Fair Transition Observatory (EFTO) has been officially launched today in Brussels at the conference “Helping vulnerable people in the clean transition: the role of the Social Climate Fund.” #FairTransition #JustTransition #GreenTransition

🔎 Learn more: https://ow.ly/9foT50YpBLa

The latest country report by Dr. Serwah Prempeh and Bismark Owusu Nortey dives deep into this nexus, exploring how startups, policymakers and ecosystem enablers are interacting in Ghana's Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies ecosystem. 
 
Read more: https://f.mtr.cool/jnhvwronfo 

#GreenTransition

A European Union that advances a fair and Just Transtiion. A vision for the EU Cycle 2024-2029 and beyond

A fair and just #GreenTransition is key to addressing today’s interconnected global crises. 🌍💚

Discover the shared vision of 50+ European stakeholders on the EU’s role in delivering a transition that brings everyone on board. ✨

Read more: tinyurl.com/2z239e9e 📖

#JustTransition

🌱 Is #DeepSeaMining needed for the #GreenTransition?

No - it’s a false solution.

🔋 New batteries reduce demand
♻️ Recycling & reuse are growing
📉 Smarter use could cut demand by 58%

Don’t let it distract from real solutions.

🔗 seas-at-risk.org/wp-content/u...

@deepseaconserve.bsky.social

Good Climate News 😎💚 Underground fungal networks help store carbon in soil. Protecting them could be a powerful, nature-based climate solution. Like and follow for more good climate news! #GoodClimateNews #ClimateOptimism #GreenTransition #NovaScotia #NSPower

India Emerging As Global Leader In Renewable Energy Expansion: UN - IndiaWest News India Emerging As Global Leader In Renewable Energy Expansion: UN.

India Emerging As Global Leader In Renewable Energy Expansion: UN

Full Story: indiawest.com/india-emergi...

#IndiaEmergingAsGlobalLeader #RenewableEnergyExpansion #UNClimateFocus #CleanEnergyGrowth #SolarPowerRise #WindEnergyBoost #SustainabilityAction #ClimateLeadership #GreenTransition

Professor Stern's new book, The Growth Story of the 21st Century, is free to read and download from LSE Press via #OpenAccess

Access Professor Stern's new book here: doi.org/10.31389/lse...

@granthamlse.bsky.social @gsos-lse.bsky.social #Sustainability #GreenTransition

Tech Won’t Save Us

techwontsave.us

#greentransition
#resourcenationalism
#extraction
@triofrancos.bsky.social

The Local Power Plan: A golden age for Community Energy in the UK After years of community energy groups struggling for recognition and resources, the UK government has finally delivered something significant, and it comes in the form of the Local Power Plan (LPP). Backed by up to **£1 billion from Great British Energy** , this represents the largest public investment in community energy in British history. But what does it actually mean for organisations like BHESCo, and will it truly make a difference for people in their communities? ## What is the Local Power Plan? At its core, the Local Power Plan is the Government’s answer to a simple question: how can communities have greater autonomy over their energy future? Published in February 2026, the plan sets out how Great British Energy and the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) will support community groups, local authorities, and public sector organisations to develop renewable energy projects. The vision is bold:**by 2030, every community in the UK will have the opportunity to own local clean energy assets.** To get there, Great British Energy aims to support over 1,000 local and community energy generation projects in its first phase. ## The four pillars of support The Local Power Plan isn’t just about throwing money at the issue. It recognises that community energy has been held back by multiple barriers and tackles them through four distinct types of support: **1. Direct funding and finance** GB Energy is developing a “Capital Toolkit” launching in summer 2026, offering: * __ Development grants for early-stage work, such feasibility studies * __ Construction and operation loans to help projects get built * __ Partnership funding for joint local authority and community group projects * __ Local investment funding for direct project investment This matters because access to affordable finance has always been one of the biggest barriers. Traditional lenders often see community projects as too risky or too small to bother with. **2. Expert advice and capacity building** Money alone won’t solve everything. Many community groups are run by volunteers who lack technical expertise in areas like grid connections, legal structures, or financial modelling. Great British Energy is creating: * __ A network of regional advisors * __ Access to commercial, financial, and technical specialist advisers * __ Standardised templates and a "Community Energy in a Box" toolkit _What is this “Community Energy in a box” toolkit?_ Think of it as a ready-made starter pack for anyone wanting to develop a community energy project. Instead of starting from scratch, groups will have access to standardised legal templates, financial models, technical guidance, and step-by-step project development resources – all in one place. This is particularly valuable for volunteer-run groups who don’t have the time or budget to commission expensive professional advice every time they hit a new challenge. **3. Developing scalable business models** This is where it gets interesting. GB Energy isn’t just funding individual projects; it’s trying to support the establishment of repeatable, bankable business models that can attract wider investment. As part of this support, they will be exploring: * __ Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) _What is a virtual PP?_ A Power Purchase Agreement is essentially a long-term contract where a community energy project agrees to sell its electricity to a buyer – like a local school, business or council – at a fixed price. The “virtual” element means the power doesn’t need to flow directly between the two parties through a physical wire. Instead, it works through the wider grid, making it far more flexible and accessible for smaller community projects. For communities, this means a guaranteed income stream, which makes it much easier to attract investment and get projects off the ground. * __ Smart Local Energy Systems (SLES) that allow communities to share power locally * __ Aggregation models that bundle smaller projects together * __ A "Local Energy Platform" to provide end-to-end business solutions Right now, setting up a community energy project means navigating a maze of different systems, contracts, regulations and market mechanisms – often with no clear guidance on how they connect. The Local Energy Platform aims to be a one-stop digital solution that handles everything from project development and financing through to selling power and managing contracts. Think of it like an operating system for community energy – bringing all the moving parts together in one place so communities can focus on delivering projects rather than getting lost in admin and complexity. **4. Policy and regulatory reform** The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero is tackling the structural barriers that have frustrated community energy for years: * __ Mandatory shared ownership: A consultation in 2026 will explore requiring large renewable projects to offer communities a stake * __ Grid connections: Working with Ofgem to improve service standards and explore tailored support for community projects * __ Market access: Removing regulatory barriers to make it easier for communities to sell and share locally generated power * __ Planning reform: New National Planning Policy Framework consultation includes clearer policies for community energy Brighton residents from the Preston Park Community Energy Programme – a collaboration between neighbours and BHESCo that’s turning rooftop solar into shared savings, resilience, and local ownership. This is community energy shaping the future envisioned in the Local Power Plan. ## Real progress already made The Local Power Plan isn’t starting from scratch. Over the past year, government investment has already delivered: * __ £16 million through the Mayoral Renewables Fund, expected to save public buildings around £50 million in lifetime energy bills * __ £5 million for the GB Energy Community Fund, supporting over 60 community projects * __ £21.5 million in partnership with devolved governments, supporting over 80 schemes * __ Up to £255 million for the Solar Partnerships Scheme, installing solar on 250+ schools and 260 NHS sites, with estimated savings of £520 million over 30 years ## The challenges that remain While the Local Power Plan is genuinely ambitious, significant challenges persist: **1. Grid connections continue to be a big hurdle** Anyone who’s tried to connect renewable energy generation in recent years knows this pain. While DESNZ is working with Ofgem to improve service standards, the fundamental capacity constraints haven’t disappeared. In Scotland, the Transmission Impact Assessment threshold of just 200kW (50kW for Scottish Islands) continues to create additional barriers that English projects don’t face. **2. The “Chicken and Egg” problem** Many of the most exciting elements like Smart Local Energy Systems and the Local Energy Platform are still in development. Communities need viable revenue models now to attract investment, but these solutions won’t be ready for months or years. Meanwhile, energy suppliers and market infrastructure providers haven’t yet stepped up to offer the community supply tariffs and peer-to-peer trading mechanisms that could make local energy sharing a reality. **3. Will £1 billion be enough?** It sounds like a lot of money, but spread across the entire UK until 2030, supporting “over 1,000 projects,” and covering everything from small feasibility grants to legal advice, planning consultancy, and policy reform, will it really be sufficient? **4. The shared ownership question** While mandatory shared ownership could be transformative, it’s still only at the consultation stage. The 2015 Infrastructure Act already provides powers to mandate this, so why the delay? And will the final design genuinely empower communities, or will it become a tick-box exercise for developers? **5. Devolved nations complexity** The plan commits to working with devolved governments and complementing existing schemes like Scotland’s CARES programme and the Welsh Government Energy Service. But the details of how GB Energy’s support will integrate with these established programmes and avoid duplication or confusion remain unclear. ## What this means for community energy projects **For existing groups:** The Local Power Plan validates everything you’ve been saying for years. It provides finance and resources to help organisations scale up, tackle that difficult next project, or get the professional expertise they otherwise couldn’t afford. The Capital Toolkit, launching in summer 2026, could be a game-changer for construction finance. **For new groups:** The barriers to entry are coming down. The “Community Energy in a Box” toolkit, advisory services, and development grants mean you won’t have to reinvent the wheel or rely on finding that one volunteer with the right expertise. **For local authorities:** The Partnership Fund recognises that collaboration between councils and community groups can achieve more than either could alone. The precedent of Energise Barnsley, which helped 321 council homes receive free solar, saving tenants over £40,000 in the first year, shows what’s possible. The BHESCo team with local community members. Since 2013, BHESCo has been working at the grassroots to deliver community-owned renewable energy projects, long before national policy caught up. With the Local Power Plan now backing community energy at scale, the foundations laid by groups like BHESCo are ready to power the next chapter. ## The road ahead Great British Energy is taking a deliberately collaborative approach, launching an Expression of Interest process and promising to “build the details of our products collaboratively with the sector, finance providers and customers.” This is encouraging, as too often, government schemes are designed in Whitehall without input from the people who’ll actually use them. The timeline shows concrete milestones: * __ Spring 2026: Shared ownership templates, first partnership announcements, first grant schemes launched * __ Summer 2026: Pilot projects and Capital Toolkit launch * __ Autumn 2026: Full GB Energy Local product portfolio launch * __ 2027-2030: Scaling up support across the development cycle ## Our take The Local Power Plan represents a genuine acceleration of government commitment to community energy. The £1 billion investment, the focus on capacity building, and the willingness to tackle regulatory barriers are all significant positives. However, the proof will be in implementation. Will the funding reach the communities that need it most, or favour those already equipped with expertise and resources? Will the business models and policy reforms arrive quickly enough to capture the current momentum? And will GB Energy truly deliver on its promise to co-design solutions with the sector? For the first time in in its history, community energy has a fighting chance to become mainstream rather than fringe. But we can’t be passive recipients of government largesse, we need to actively engage with the Expression of Interest process, provide feedback on policy design, and hold GB Energy and DESNZ accountable to their commitments. The Local Power Plan is the best opportunity the community energy sector has ever had to explode its impact and make itself as a major player in UK energy independence. Its time to get to work… ### _Related_

Interesting article on the UK Governments Local Power Plan initiative.
Could be great things for local power to come!
https://bhesco.co.uk/blog/local-power-plan
#uk #ukLocalPowerPlan #greenTransition

MaserFrakt signs a long-term deal with Norwegian Hydrogen to supply #greenhydrogen for its vehicle operations, advancing #zeroemission heavy transport in Sweden and accelerating the #greentransition

#HydrogenNow #HeavyTransport #Decarbonization

fcw.sh/njC4in