Dr Verner Viisainen
Impact Research @sciencebasedtargets.org
ex-@carbonbrief.org
ex-Green Alliance
PhD in Engineering
he/him
Personal account. Views expressed are my own and not those of my employer
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenI'm sorry. Is this "The Conversation" or "The Onion"?
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenGreat work here from @carbonbrief.org , debunking common myths about solar power. The reason that solar power makes so much sense is fundamental physics - it takes energy in its most useful form, as soon as it arrives on Earth, before it's "taxed" in entropy. Making use of it is a slam-dunk win.
- Very glad to have this piece with @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social published - even several months after me leaving Carbon Brief! This article was more than a year in the making, and very timely now given the ongoing heatwaves. Read more below ⬇️
- NEW ANALYSIS - English neighbourhoods that are home to the most minority-ethnic people are 15 times more likely to face extreme heat than the least diverse areas. Heatwaves are getting more severe – but the effects of rising temperatures are not being felt equally... ➡️ buff.ly/boWI6M1
- Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen[This post could not be retrieved]
- Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen"climate realism" reading a lot like "sacrificing the global south and just shooting for 3 C" www.cfr.org/article/our-...
- 🚨Personal News: As of today, I have started as the Impact Research and Evidence Manager at SBTi. I will be working at the intersection of research, comms and strategy, evaluating SBTi’s impact on reducing emissions. Thanks to everyone at @carbonbrief.org for making my time there so memorable!
- (not April fool's - just an unfortunate start date 😅)
- Another year, another (territorial) emissions drop for the UK See our analysis below ⬇️
- 📢ANALYSIS: UK emissions fell 3.6% in 2024 to lowest since 1872 🏭Coal lowest since 1666, when Great Fire ravaged London 🚗EVs pushed oil down despite more traffic, saving £1.7bn 🌇Gas down on "cleanest ever" power 📈📉Since 1990, CO2 -54% / GDP +84% www.carbonbrief.org/... 1/9
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenTrump's aid cuts are bad news for international climate finance. I looked through the available data to work out how bad... Around 8% of the climate finance pledged to developing countries by rich countries last year came from the US. Those funds are now under threat. ➡️ buff.ly/BuxwfSL
- I enjoyed writing this week's #DeBriefed newsletter for @carbonbrief.org! As part of this, I wrote a piece that takes you behind the scenes of how @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social and I went about doing our recent analysis on UK airport expansion. Find the full newsletter below. ⬇️
- What’s happened this week in climate change DeBriefed | Nearly 95% of countries miss UN climate deadline; 1.5C on horizon; Behind-the-scenes of CB analysis ✍️ Written by @vernerviisas.carbonbrief.org 📝 Edited by @daisydunne.carbonbrief.org Read here ➡️ buff.ly/4hCvOXc
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenIn the past two years, floods ruined soybeans growing in Brazil, a hurricane destroyed millions of $$ worth of crops in Jamaica and drought hit Sri Lankan rice This new interactive map gives a snapshot of how extreme weather is damaging crops, feat. 100 news stories from 2023-24 buff.ly/42Rqf2D
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenNEW: Just 10/195 countries signed up to the Paris Agreement met the UN’s 10 Feb deadline to submit their 2035 climate pledges UN climate chief Simon Stiell said latecomers must submit by September
- NEW – Analysis: 95% of countries miss UN deadline to submit 2035 climate pledges | @daisydunne.carbonbrief.org Read here: buff.ly/4gz4NCG
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenIn light of the Guardian's front page today, just reupping my story from August reporting that Labour could approve up to *13* new oil and gas projects like Rosebank These are projects that have a license but still need to obtain development consent from gov www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-...
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenNew runways at London airports would result in cumulative emissions of around 92m tonnes of extra CO2e by 2050, if the number of flights increases in line with their operating company targets. Carbon Brief’s analysis covered by Anushka Asthana on @itvpeston.bsky.social ➡️ buff.ly/3WJ9Ut1
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenOvertaking what looks like a Formula 1 car is really making the point
- Our new analysis on UK airport expansion! Note: the comparison to forests is very much a hypothetical comparison that is meant to highlight the scale of these expansions. We cannot just tree plant our way out of any potential expansion of fossil fuel use (although more trees is always nice!).
- NEW – Analysis: UK would need forest ‘twice size of London’ to offset new airport expansion | @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social @vernerviisas.carbonbrief.org Read here ➡️ buff.ly/4hsYYrt
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenNEW ANALYSIS - With the UK government poised to back the expansion of Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton, we crunched the numbers on the climate impact of these plans. The UK would need to plant a new forest 2X the size of London to offset the emissions from all the extra flights 🌳✈️ ➡️ buff.ly/4hsYYrt
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenThis one sounds like a cool job!
- New #vacancy 🚨 ➡️ Do you know how to find, process and analyse data? ➡️ Can you spot opportunities to use data to inform topical talking points? ➡️ Do you want to contribute to accurate reporting of climate change and energy? Apply for the data analyst position here ⬇️
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenSolar and wind growth in the EU has pushed fossil fuel power to a 40-year low in 2024, with solar alone overtaking coal generation for the first time, according to our analysis of new figures from energy analysts @ember-energy.org
- NEW – EU’s solar and wind growth pushes fossil-fuel power to lowest level in 40 years | @mollylempriere.carbonbrief.org Read here: buff.ly/4hfcKhk
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenNow you see why @carbonbrief.org estimated that a Trump presidency would add an extra four billion tonnes of CO₂ₑ to the atmosphere by 2030.
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenI assume most people know this, but seems important to point out basic truths at this moment in time. There is no energy emergency in the U.S. The U.S. is the world's top producer of oil and gas at the moment, and the top exporter of gas, and U.S. oil and gas producers are making record profits.
- Apply apply apply! Feel free to reach out if you have any related questions!
- New #vacancy 🚨 ➡️ Do you know how to find, process and analyse data? ➡️ Can you spot opportunities to use data to inform topical talking points? ➡️ Do you want to contribute to accurate reporting of climate change and energy? Apply for the data analyst position here ⬇️
- Brilliant documentary - would also recommend everyone to watch this. It's only 25 minutes long and will likely leave a much longer impression on you. Fardowsa is such an inspiration!
- Really recommend watching this brilliant, moving documentary made with @ejfoundation.bsky.social Everyone should see it to understand the impact of climate migration today. Then imagine the world in 20 years… #NomadCentury vimeo.com/840897591/14...
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenA few years ago, my friend, outspoken climate scientist Peter Kalmus @climatehuman.bsky.social, moved his family out of LA because he could extrapolate from the data. This week the house where he raised his kids burned down. His words for us all (gift link): 🧪 www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/o...
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenBritain’s electricity supplies were the cleanest in history last year as fossil-fuel power generation sank to its lowest since 1955, the year Rock Around the Clock topped the charts www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
- Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen+++NEW ANALYSIS+++ UK electricity was the cleanest ever in 2024, with emissions per unit falling by more than two-thirds in a decade Highlights: 🏭end of coal power after 142yrs 🔥fossil fuels at record-low 29% share 🌄renewables at record-high 45% www.carbonbrief.org/... 1/9
- Our NEW analysis - just released! The carbon intensity of UK electricity was only 124gCO2/kWh in 2024, down 70% from 419gCO2/kWh in 2014.
- NEW – Analysis: UK’s electricity was cleanest ever in 2024 | @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org @vernerviisas.carbonbrief.org Read here: buff.ly/423utnJ
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenOne word: Plastics. www.carbonbrief.org/five-charts-... h/t @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org and the excellent @carbonbrief.org team
- Is a plastic production reduction target on the cards at #INC-5? The PSIDS group submitted a proposal on Tues that calls for a 40x40 target (40%⬇️ on 2025 levels by 2040): buff.ly/4eUAXrs We show that 40x40 could cut plastics cumu. emissions between 2024-50 by half* wrt to BAU. 1/
- Building on this, on Weds, Panama published a new proposal on supply, backed by nearly 100 other countries. It calls on countries to set a global target "to reduce the production primary plastic polymers to sustainable levels". Momentum seems to be building. buff.ly/49jT7lp 2/
- In the chair's latest draft treaty text that came out this morning... this Panama proposal has been added as an option under Article 6 on 'Supply/Sustainable Production'. Let's see if it makes it into the final text. buff.ly/3ZtNOwD 3/
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View full thread*Assuming that production reduction continues linearly at the same rate between 2040-50 as between 2025-40 and that the emissions intensity of plastics stays the same throughout (simplified assumption as likely to see at least some reduction through decarbonisation measures - see below). 5/END
- Amidst #COP29, you might have missed it but, the most important environmental treaty since the #Paris is being negotiated THIS week! At the #INC-5 in Busan, countries are hoping to strike an agreement on a global treaty to reduce #plastic pollution. But why is this relevant for climate? A 🧵 1/
- Reason 1: Because plastics are a large source of GHGs - around 5% of global emissions. Across their whole lifecycle, plastics emit around 2.7 bn tCO2e per year. This puts them above energy use related emissions from oil and gas extraction and aviation. [UPDATE: corrected chart] 2/
- Reason 2: Plastics are driving the growth in oil demand and so propping up fossil fuel use Most plastics are made from fossil fuels, including oil. According to IEA, petrochemicals (read: mostly plastics) are the main driver of oil demand growth, as growth in other sectors stagnates. 3/
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View full threadThe article has now also been updated with the corrected chart:
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenTo understand global south anger at the COP29 climate finance goal it's crucial to understand two key numbers. 1️⃣ "At least" $300bn/year - developed nations agreed to "take the lead" in mobilising this for developing countries 2️⃣ $1.3tn/year - a wider, vaguer goal They sound pretty big! But...
- [This post could not be retrieved]
- Reason 1: Because plastics are a large source of GHGs - around 5% of global emissions. Across their whole lifecycle, plastics emit around 2.7 bn tCO2e per year. This puts them above aviation, oil and gas extraction and energy use in buildings. 2/
- REASON 2: Plastics are driving the growth in oil demand and so propping up fossil fuel use Most plastics are made from fossil fuels, including oil. According to IEA, petrochemicals (read: mostly plastics) are the main driver of oil demand growth, as growth in other sectors stagnates. 3/
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View full threadReason 4: The treaty could set a cap on global plastics production, which could bring down emissions significantly. Under Rwanda and Peru’s 40x40 proposal (40% reduction by 2040 on 2025 levels) from INC-4: Future cumulative emissions from plastics could be halved by 2050 compared to BAU. 5/
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenI'm so proud of the Carbon Brief #COP29 team for finishing our big summary of the talks It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting… –NCQG –Stocktake –Article6 –China +Much more …delivered in record time after a brutal fortnight of sleep deprivation! www.carbonbrief.org/...
- Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen
Evidence, if it were needed, that I work with AMAZING colleagues. Less than 16hrs after the gavel came down on COP29, they have published a 20,000-word omnibus article summarising EVERYTHING you need to know about the two-week event in Baku 👏👏👏- NEW – COP29: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Baku #COP29 ➡️ buff.ly/3V5jndk
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenA modest $300bn in climate finance, no explicit mention of transitioning away from fossil fuels (only an indirect reference via a decision of last year), but an explicit shoutout to the importance of transition fuels aka fossil gas. Disappointing 2/2
- Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen🚨NEW from me: Developing Nations, NGOs Reject 'Disaster' COP29 Deal.
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenTo put the just-agreed New Collective Quantified Goal at COP29 in some context... $300,000,000,000 - NCQG "by 2035" $2,440,000,000,000 - global military spending in 2023 That's EIGHT TIMES larger
- Pretty happy with my guess of 06:00am local time on Sunday, 29 mins off the actual #COP29 closing time.
- We have a winner! The gavel came down on COP29 at 05:31am local time, according to IISD. So, in reverse order, these were the closest three guesses... 3) Richard Klein, SEI - 05:43 2) @borenbears.bsky.social, Associated Press - 05:36 1) Clement Metivier, @wwf-uk.bsky.social - 05:29
- Reposted by Dr Verner Viisainen+CLIMATE FINANCE TARGET AGREED AT COP29+ Several draft texts swirled around last night, and a day of fraught negotiations resulted in this: 💰 Core goal of "at least" $300bn/year for developing countries 💰Developed countries "take the lead". Developing can contribute voluntarily
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenIf you want to nerd-out over #COP overrun statistics, @jjgoodman.bsky.social is your man.
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenNEW TEXTS DROPPED AT #COP29 * NCQG: Draft finance target of $250bn * UAE dialogue: clear ref to GST para 28 * UAE dialogue: Options on taking GST fwd * MWP: GST remains absent www.carbonbrief.org/... 1/3
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenCarbon Brief is on the ground at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The COP negotiation process can be quite complicated even for participating delegates and experienced journalists. To help you navigate the COP and keep on top of what’s happening, we have published some handy resources. / a thread
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenImportant new investigation by the excellent @emmahoward.bsky.social at @unearthednews.bsky.social (follow her)🙏 It finds Exxon, Total, Shell, Chevron Phillips & Dow, members of a plastic pollution alliance, made 1000 times more plastic than they cleaned up👉 unearthed.greenpeace.org/2024/11/20/a...
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenThe @carbonbrief.org sweepstake on when #COP29 will formally end now has 112 guesses. Lots of people going for Sunday morning! Enter your exact day/time here if you want to join in: bit.ly/CBCOP29Gavel... No prizes, just bragging rights!
- Reposted by Dr Verner ViisainenClimate Change: It's real. It's us. It's serious - and already dangerous. But there are solutions. The science is clear: the faster we cut emissions, the less suffering we will cause, and the better off we'll all be.
- FOSSIL FUELS mentioned! #COP29 The first draft negotiating text on the UAE dialogue dropped this morning! And the #COP28 outcome wording on 'transition away from fossil fuels' is in there! PROGRESS! Follow our text tracker to keep up to date on new docs: www.carbonbrief.org/interactive-...
