The world must transition away from fossil fuels, but this requires structural transformation of economies and governance, not just technological substitution. Fossil fuels are deeply embedded in economic systems, leading to financial and institutional incentives that favor short-term extraction. Cities play a crucial role in accelerating the transition by reshaping demand, accelerating innovation, and demonstrating that a different model is possible. Transitioning away from fossil fuels not only lowers costs and improves public health, but also rebuilds trust in public institutions. Cities like Melbourne, Curitiba, Johannesburg, and Bogotá are taking significant steps towards reducing fossil fuel use and increasing renewable energy capacity, part of a global effort to halve fossil fuel use in C40 cities by 2030. The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta aims to bring together various stakeholders, including cities, to identify concrete pathways for a just and equitable transition, focusing on transforming energy supply and demand, overcoming economic dependence, and strengthening international cooperation to redefine development in a sustainable way. The message from Santa Marta is that the end of the fossil fuel era is already underway, and the focus now should be on ensuring a just, coordinated, and irreversible transition.
Tag: Melbourne
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Carmaker uses repurposed EV batteries to help power factory in Australia
Nissan Australia has repurposed retired electric vehicle batteries to power part of its production facility in Melbourne and supply EV chargers through the Nissan Node project. This collaboration with Relectrify aims to increase battery cycle life, reduce energy storage costs, and promote a circular economy. The initiative is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by 259 tonnes and save 128 MWh of energy each year, showcasing a sustainable future for end-of-life EV batteries.
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Huge 105 turbine wind project and four-hour big battery seeks green tick to link into VNI West
Equis has proposed the construction of a wind farm and battery energy storage system in New South Wales, featuring 105 large turbines and a 600 MW/2400 megawatt-hour battery. The project aims to connect to the National Electricity Market via a new transmission line in the South West Renewable Energy Zone, with a focus on minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, Equis has returned to Australia with a new portfolio of wind and big battery storage projects across four states, backed by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan. The battery projects include the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub, Calala BESS, Koolunga BESS, and Lower Wonga BESS, along with wind farms like Bell Bay and Jackson North. Plans are in place to support new renewable energy generators in the region despite delays in the transmission line project.