Replacing coal with renewables is the fastest way to cut emissions, concludes an evaluation of the EU’s electricity system in 2018 by Agora Energiewende and Sandbag. In six years, Europe’s annual CO2 emissions from coal power plants have fallen by 250 million tonnes and for the first time in 2018 wind and solar power were comparable to existing coal and gas generation costs. But growth in renewables must increase substantially to meet the EU’s goal of covering 32% of energy demand with renewables by 2030. 

The future is “decarbonised, decentralised and electric” and distribution system operators (DSOs) will be at the heat of this transformation, says a report from consultancy EY. Drafted with input from European DSOs, the latter are urged to get ready now and make concrete plans to enable a successful energy transition. The next five years will be critical for DSOs, which must continue to develop and operate the network in a reliable, affordable and sustainable way, while building a grid that is fit for the future, says the report.

BP will support a call from institutional investors to disclose how its policies and spending plans align with the 2015 Paris climate agreement. The company’s board will back a resolution at its annual general meeting in May to broaden its corporate reporting. The resolution says investors remain concerned BP has not demonstrated that its strategy, “which includes growth in oil and gas as well as pursuing low carbon businesses”, is consistent with the Paris goals. It also highlights potential discrepancies between its pledge “to power economic growth and lift people out of poverty” given climate vulnerabilities in developing countries.