Dustin Benton
@dbenton.bsky.social
Sustainability MD Forefront Advisers. Prev:@GreenAllianceUK; Chief Analyst @food_strategy. Generic personal achievement. Folksy identifier. Humblebrag. #hashtag
Yes. One of my favourite energy efficiency stats is that 25% of UK economic growth between 1971-2013 was due to energy efficiency: ukerc.ac.uk/news/energy-... @jrbarrett.bsky.social
January 14, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Yes. One of my favourite energy efficiency stats is that 25% of UK economic growth between 1971-2013 was due to energy efficiency: ukerc.ac.uk/news/energy-... @jrbarrett.bsky.social
8.4GW of offshore wind is bang on what industry thinks is needed to meet the Clean Power 2030 goal.
At £91/MWh, it's cheaper than the fossil alternatives, but inflation sucks.
Expect lots of froth about how expensive this is, ignoring the fact that everything is now expensive...
At £91/MWh, it's cheaper than the fossil alternatives, but inflation sucks.
Expect lots of froth about how expensive this is, ignoring the fact that everything is now expensive...
January 14, 2026 at 7:26 AM
8.4GW of offshore wind is bang on what industry thinks is needed to meet the Clean Power 2030 goal.
At £91/MWh, it's cheaper than the fossil alternatives, but inflation sucks.
Expect lots of froth about how expensive this is, ignoring the fact that everything is now expensive...
At £91/MWh, it's cheaper than the fossil alternatives, but inflation sucks.
Expect lots of froth about how expensive this is, ignoring the fact that everything is now expensive...
If true this is good news for Ed Miliband
Great @economist.com piece by @matthewholehouse.bsky.social on state capacity. Am convinced next election winner will be who convinces people Government can actually just *do things* & politicians aren’t powerless to make good on promises. My reframe of Reagan maxim www.economist.com/britain/2026...
January 9, 2026 at 4:47 PM
If true this is good news for Ed Miliband
ICYMI, the future is being made in California again: pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/01/02/c...
January 6, 2026 at 3:10 PM
ICYMI, the future is being made in California again: pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/01/02/c...
Lovely survey work by @chathamhouse.org on public attitudes to Chinese EVs. Something to keep in mind ahead of next week's EU EV announcements.
www.chathamhouse.org/sites/defaul...
www.chathamhouse.org/sites/defaul...
December 12, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Lovely survey work by @chathamhouse.org on public attitudes to Chinese EVs. Something to keep in mind ahead of next week's EU EV announcements.
www.chathamhouse.org/sites/defaul...
www.chathamhouse.org/sites/defaul...
Whisky byproducts being turned into fish-free omega 3 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... < I did some work on circular economy opportunities in Scotland a LONG time ago and it's brilliant to see this finally coming off!
December 12, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Whisky byproducts being turned into fish-free omega 3 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... < I did some work on circular economy opportunities in Scotland a LONG time ago and it's brilliant to see this finally coming off!
Reposted by Dustin Benton
While declining aerosols is responsible for part of this observed change, it may also be driven by internal climate variability or a feedback to climate warming. The latter is worrying, as it would imply higher climate sensitivity than currently expected.
December 11, 2025 at 4:35 PM
While declining aerosols is responsible for part of this observed change, it may also be driven by internal climate variability or a feedback to climate warming. The latter is worrying, as it would imply higher climate sensitivity than currently expected.
I see the EU's vast CBAM carbon intensity default values spreadsheet is out. A shame that it classifies UK power sector carbon intensity as 430gCO2/kWh.
In 2025, UK power has actually had a carbon intensity of around 130gCO2/kWh - over 3x lower!
In 2025, UK power has actually had a carbon intensity of around 130gCO2/kWh - over 3x lower!
December 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I see the EU's vast CBAM carbon intensity default values spreadsheet is out. A shame that it classifies UK power sector carbon intensity as 430gCO2/kWh.
In 2025, UK power has actually had a carbon intensity of around 130gCO2/kWh - over 3x lower!
In 2025, UK power has actually had a carbon intensity of around 130gCO2/kWh - over 3x lower!
Reposted by Dustin Benton
New CEO of Diageo writes:
"Environmental shocks, from flooding to soil degradation to heat stress, pose direct threats to commercial viability
Recent evidence found that the share prices of companies most exposed to biodiversity risk underperformed those less exposed"
www.ft.com/content/5094...
"Environmental shocks, from flooding to soil degradation to heat stress, pose direct threats to commercial viability
Recent evidence found that the share prices of companies most exposed to biodiversity risk underperformed those less exposed"
www.ft.com/content/5094...
The food industry must face up to nature-related risk
Boardrooms need to acknowledge that without healthy soils and reliable seasons the system could face collapse
www.ft.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:12 AM
New CEO of Diageo writes:
"Environmental shocks, from flooding to soil degradation to heat stress, pose direct threats to commercial viability
Recent evidence found that the share prices of companies most exposed to biodiversity risk underperformed those less exposed"
www.ft.com/content/5094...
"Environmental shocks, from flooding to soil degradation to heat stress, pose direct threats to commercial viability
Recent evidence found that the share prices of companies most exposed to biodiversity risk underperformed those less exposed"
www.ft.com/content/5094...
Reposted by Dustin Benton
OBR reckons pay per mile for EVs "is likely to reduce demand for electric cars as it increases their lifetime cost". Expecting 440k fewer sales through to 2030 compared to previous forecast, offset by a 130k increase in sales from more funding for the government's grant scheme'.
November 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM
OBR reckons pay per mile for EVs "is likely to reduce demand for electric cars as it increases their lifetime cost". Expecting 440k fewer sales through to 2030 compared to previous forecast, offset by a 130k increase in sales from more funding for the government's grant scheme'.
Reposted by Dustin Benton
This will reduce the price of electricity, good for bills and will make the transition easier. But because of other levies (nuclear, correcting two decades of underinvestment in the grid), electricity will still be around 4x the cost of gas.
November 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM
This will reduce the price of electricity, good for bills and will make the transition easier. But because of other levies (nuclear, correcting two decades of underinvestment in the grid), electricity will still be around 4x the cost of gas.
Reposted by Dustin Benton
This is a big deal. The reduction in sulphur emissions from ships means clouds aren’t as reflective and persistent, so the warming from greenhouse gases is not offset as much. So, while this change is very good for air quality, it’s very bad for almost everything else. #climate
A second opportunity to examine the cloud reduction effects from shipping fuel pollution measures has revealed that the 80% cut in sulphur emissions reduces cloud droplet formation by 67%.
acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/...
#aerosols #climatechange #clouds #IMO2020 #ECS
acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/...
#aerosols #climatechange #clouds #IMO2020 #ECS
acp.copernicus.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:26 PM
This is a big deal. The reduction in sulphur emissions from ships means clouds aren’t as reflective and persistent, so the warming from greenhouse gases is not offset as much. So, while this change is very good for air quality, it’s very bad for almost everything else. #climate
Brughel calling for a delay to CBAM on electricity as it risks pushing prices power prices up for a couple of years with v little climate benefit.
Better to have accelerated ETS/elec market linking but we're 6 weeks away from CBAM's application...
www.bruegel.org/analysis/cas...
Better to have accelerated ETS/elec market linking but we're 6 weeks away from CBAM's application...
www.bruegel.org/analysis/cas...
The case for delaying the application of the EU’s carbon border levy to electricity
The inclusion of electricity in CBAM creates more problems than it solves; ways should be found to exempt it
www.bruegel.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Brughel calling for a delay to CBAM on electricity as it risks pushing prices power prices up for a couple of years with v little climate benefit.
Better to have accelerated ETS/elec market linking but we're 6 weeks away from CBAM's application...
www.bruegel.org/analysis/cas...
Better to have accelerated ETS/elec market linking but we're 6 weeks away from CBAM's application...
www.bruegel.org/analysis/cas...
Reposted by Dustin Benton
Now that the Sept and Oct data are (belatedly) in, it looks like 2025 will be the second warmest year in the record (~80% probability). The last three years are in a class of their own.
November 15, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Now that the Sept and Oct data are (belatedly) in, it looks like 2025 will be the second warmest year in the record (~80% probability). The last three years are in a class of their own.
Reposted by Dustin Benton
This will kill the heat pump market.
And that means cuts in investment in the whole system: tech, skills, supply chain, business investment.
And the subsidy is not a *benefit*, it's designed to equalise the choice between gas and electric.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
And that means cuts in investment in the whole system: tech, skills, supply chain, business investment.
And the subsidy is not a *benefit*, it's designed to equalise the choice between gas and electric.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Hundreds of thousands to lose heat pump subsidies in Reeves’s budget plan
Exclusive: chancellor plans to fund energy efficiency levies via warm homes plan as part of drive to lower energy bills
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:39 PM
This will kill the heat pump market.
And that means cuts in investment in the whole system: tech, skills, supply chain, business investment.
And the subsidy is not a *benefit*, it's designed to equalise the choice between gas and electric.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
And that means cuts in investment in the whole system: tech, skills, supply chain, business investment.
And the subsidy is not a *benefit*, it's designed to equalise the choice between gas and electric.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Well, Alan Whitehead's appointment is good news for UK energy www.gov.uk/government/n...
Appointment: 11 November 2025
The King has been pleased to approve the following appointment.
www.gov.uk
November 11, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Well, Alan Whitehead's appointment is good news for UK energy www.gov.uk/government/n...
£1.1bn for UK renewables this year (AR7) vs £1.5bn for renewables last year (AR6).
The message to developers is to not take the mick on pricing - but the reality is that this isn't the final number, and everyone knows that. 🔌💡
The message to developers is to not take the mick on pricing - but the reality is that this isn't the final number, and everyone knows that. 🔌💡
October 27, 2025 at 3:58 PM
£1.1bn for UK renewables this year (AR7) vs £1.5bn for renewables last year (AR6).
The message to developers is to not take the mick on pricing - but the reality is that this isn't the final number, and everyone knows that. 🔌💡
The message to developers is to not take the mick on pricing - but the reality is that this isn't the final number, and everyone knows that. 🔌💡
This isn't going to happen. What car manufacturer is going to bet their market share on selling cars that go slow after the 100km PHEV battery dies?
Kurios. Die oberste Auto-Lobbyistin macht in der FAS den Vorschlag, Plug-In-Hybride könnten ihre Fahrer künftig technisch zwingen, die Ladefunktion zu nutzen.
Eine Äußerung im Bestreben höchst klimaschädliche Hybride auch über 2035 zu erlauben.
Eine Äußerung im Bestreben höchst klimaschädliche Hybride auch über 2035 zu erlauben.
October 27, 2025 at 11:08 AM
This isn't going to happen. What car manufacturer is going to bet their market share on selling cars that go slow after the 100km PHEV battery dies?
Kudos to @faisalislam.bsky.social on drawing the link between climate and food prices in this piece www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A shame it took him til word 1,882 (or 1,963 words) to do so.
A shame it took him til word 1,882 (or 1,963 words) to do so.
Why supermarket prices really became sky high in the UK
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
www.bbc.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Kudos to @faisalislam.bsky.social on drawing the link between climate and food prices in this piece www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A shame it took him til word 1,882 (or 1,963 words) to do so.
A shame it took him til word 1,882 (or 1,963 words) to do so.
Pleased to be talking about the future of UK wind power in light of the loss of political consensus on climate - alongside Andrew Bowie, Conservative energy minister.
October 23, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Pleased to be talking about the future of UK wind power in light of the loss of political consensus on climate - alongside Andrew Bowie, Conservative energy minister.
"climate impacted products alone added almost two percentage points to the 5.1% rise in the food and drink basket — roughly 4x the inflationary impact of the rest."
www.ft.com/content/ced8...
www.ft.com/content/ced8...
Five staples fuelling UK food inflation as climate risks rise, study finds
Findings challenge narrative that food price growth is being driven by higher taxes and wage costs
www.ft.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:52 AM
"climate impacted products alone added almost two percentage points to the 5.1% rise in the food and drink basket — roughly 4x the inflationary impact of the rest."
www.ft.com/content/ced8...
www.ft.com/content/ced8...
Reposted by Dustin Benton
imo, the obliteration of of the IRA Waste Emissions Charge (the "methane rule") is an underdiscussed loss with global ripple effects.
the EPA had a solid framework for identifying & abating cheap, high-impact GHG emissions in up/midstream gas. it's all gone now. the EU methane reg stands alone.
the EPA had a solid framework for identifying & abating cheap, high-impact GHG emissions in up/midstream gas. it's all gone now. the EU methane reg stands alone.
October 21, 2025 at 5:54 AM
imo, the obliteration of of the IRA Waste Emissions Charge (the "methane rule") is an underdiscussed loss with global ripple effects.
the EPA had a solid framework for identifying & abating cheap, high-impact GHG emissions in up/midstream gas. it's all gone now. the EU methane reg stands alone.
the EPA had a solid framework for identifying & abating cheap, high-impact GHG emissions in up/midstream gas. it's all gone now. the EU methane reg stands alone.
Reposted by Dustin Benton
Reposted by Dustin Benton
This is the quiet, but slowly getting louder horror story taking place across the northern hemisphere
Netherlands Scientific Climate Council warns: under pressure from climate change, forests and soils are now taking up less CO2 from the atmosphere, accelerating climate change.
www.wkr.nl/adviezen/ove...
www.wkr.nl/adviezen/ove...
October 15, 2025 at 5:26 AM
This is the quiet, but slowly getting louder horror story taking place across the northern hemisphere