Eliot Whittington
@whittso.bsky.social
Lead thought leadership as well as business convening and organising at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Daydreamer, geek, husband, father.
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
I don't think we should have every scenario that we assess being a scenario where emissions go down.
We are not heading for the super high-end SSP5-85, but that does not mean emissions are following SSP2-45 as many assume.
We need to explore the uncertainties on where we are heading much more.
5/
We are not heading for the super high-end SSP5-85, but that does not mean emissions are following SSP2-45 as many assume.
We need to explore the uncertainties on where we are heading much more.
5/
November 17, 2025 at 8:53 AM
I don't think we should have every scenario that we assess being a scenario where emissions go down.
We are not heading for the super high-end SSP5-85, but that does not mean emissions are following SSP2-45 as many assume.
We need to explore the uncertainties on where we are heading much more.
5/
We are not heading for the super high-end SSP5-85, but that does not mean emissions are following SSP2-45 as many assume.
We need to explore the uncertainties on where we are heading much more.
5/
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
Other points:
* The IEA should have found another name, "Reversed Policies Scenario" or "Stalled Policies Scenario"?
* Have we, at a statistical significant level, deviated from the IEA pre-Paris baseline?
* The CPS is not that different to the STEPS...
6/6
* The IEA should have found another name, "Reversed Policies Scenario" or "Stalled Policies Scenario"?
* Have we, at a statistical significant level, deviated from the IEA pre-Paris baseline?
* The CPS is not that different to the STEPS...
6/6
November 17, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Other points:
* The IEA should have found another name, "Reversed Policies Scenario" or "Stalled Policies Scenario"?
* Have we, at a statistical significant level, deviated from the IEA pre-Paris baseline?
* The CPS is not that different to the STEPS...
6/6
* The IEA should have found another name, "Reversed Policies Scenario" or "Stalled Policies Scenario"?
* Have we, at a statistical significant level, deviated from the IEA pre-Paris baseline?
* The CPS is not that different to the STEPS...
6/6
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
🌱 Spain’s community energy revolution is spreading!
From Taradell to Galicia, cooperatives are providing cheap, clean electricity to homes, including low-income families, while promoting local ownership and fighting fuel poverty.
We love to see a community-led energy transition 🤩
From Taradell to Galicia, cooperatives are providing cheap, clean electricity to homes, including low-income families, while promoting local ownership and fighting fuel poverty.
We love to see a community-led energy transition 🤩
‘We’re proud to be pioneers’: inside Spain’s community energy revolution
From Taradell to Galicia, cooperatives are supplying cheap, clean electricity to homes and helping tackle fuel poverty
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:53 AM
🌱 Spain’s community energy revolution is spreading!
From Taradell to Galicia, cooperatives are providing cheap, clean electricity to homes, including low-income families, while promoting local ownership and fighting fuel poverty.
We love to see a community-led energy transition 🤩
From Taradell to Galicia, cooperatives are providing cheap, clean electricity to homes, including low-income families, while promoting local ownership and fighting fuel poverty.
We love to see a community-led energy transition 🤩
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
Have been saying this for ages. An as yet undetermined % of Tory voters are anxious about Farage / Reform. How they vote at the next GE could determine the outcome.
November 15, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Have been saying this for ages. An as yet undetermined % of Tory voters are anxious about Farage / Reform. How they vote at the next GE could determine the outcome.
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
Suppose we got more good news over the next few years, which I think is perfectly possible... What we seem to have learned is that it will quite quickly come under pressure to be used on tax or spend.
Now, as a voter I can quite see that as good. But it surely isn't what these bond buyers want 3/
Now, as a voter I can quite see that as good. But it surely isn't what these bond buyers want 3/
November 15, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Suppose we got more good news over the next few years, which I think is perfectly possible... What we seem to have learned is that it will quite quickly come under pressure to be used on tax or spend.
Now, as a voter I can quite see that as good. But it surely isn't what these bond buyers want 3/
Now, as a voter I can quite see that as good. But it surely isn't what these bond buyers want 3/
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
Facing three stakeholder groups - the gilts, the spending side, the tax side - the promise to prioritise fiscal stability has to mean that when some good news comes up, the first of these gets some priority. This week suggests it doesn't, compared to pressure on the other two 2/
November 15, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Facing three stakeholder groups - the gilts, the spending side, the tax side - the promise to prioritise fiscal stability has to mean that when some good news comes up, the first of these gets some priority. This week suggests it doesn't, compared to pressure on the other two 2/
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
Terrific, thought-provoking piece by @chrisdillow.bsky.social:
On incompetence
Much of our political culture is fundamentally incompetent.
chrisdillow.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Terrific, thought-provoking piece by @chrisdillow.bsky.social:
It is actually quite stunning how dramatic the improvement in quality at @newstatesman1913.bsky.social has been since @tommctague.bsky.social took over.
The sign of quality of this piece by @pronouncedalva.bsky.social is that it was clearly written before the events this week but it holds up and still brings fresh insight
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Does Keir Starmer realise how much trouble he's in?
The Prime Minister is facing a crisis of contempt among his own MPs
www.newstatesman.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:45 PM
It is actually quite stunning how dramatic the improvement in quality at @newstatesman1913.bsky.social has been since @tommctague.bsky.social took over.
www.cam.ac.uk/stories/COP3... Great overview of the Cambridge presence at #COP30
Cambridge at COP 30
Climate on the edge of the Amazon
www.cam.ac.uk
November 15, 2025 at 1:36 PM
www.cam.ac.uk/stories/COP3... Great overview of the Cambridge presence at #COP30
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
they did it
they actually managed to kick the can down the road again. amazing
www.politico.eu/article/fina...
they actually managed to kick the can down the road again. amazing
www.politico.eu/article/fina...
Final decision on fate of crumbling UK parliament delayed to 2030s
It’s a fire-hazard that’s prone to tumbling masonry — but fear of a public backlash is again delaying repairs to the world famous building.
www.politico.eu
November 15, 2025 at 1:20 PM
they did it
they actually managed to kick the can down the road again. amazing
www.politico.eu/article/fina...
they actually managed to kick the can down the road again. amazing
www.politico.eu/article/fina...
on.ft.com/49fMPW2 The 2mn barrel divide: IEA and Opec at odds over oil demand
The 2mn barrel divide: IEA and Opec at odds over oil demand
Widening gap between forecasts from IEA, Opec and EIA clouds oil market outlook
on.ft.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:25 PM
on.ft.com/49fMPW2 The 2mn barrel divide: IEA and Opec at odds over oil demand
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
I'm thrilled to announce I'm returning to the New Statesman as Political Editor in November. 🥳
An honour to step into @andrewmarr.bsky.social's legendary shoes as he becomes editor-at-large. Can't wait to get started with @tommctague.bsky.social and the whole team!
An honour to step into @andrewmarr.bsky.social's legendary shoes as he becomes editor-at-large. Can't wait to get started with @tommctague.bsky.social and the whole team!
September 29, 2025 at 9:07 AM
I'm thrilled to announce I'm returning to the New Statesman as Political Editor in November. 🥳
An honour to step into @andrewmarr.bsky.social's legendary shoes as he becomes editor-at-large. Can't wait to get started with @tommctague.bsky.social and the whole team!
An honour to step into @andrewmarr.bsky.social's legendary shoes as he becomes editor-at-large. Can't wait to get started with @tommctague.bsky.social and the whole team!
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
Government has published one of those quiet but important documents that might get overlooked as it is not 'newsy'. The headline finding is that £1 of public R&D investment generates £8 in net economic benefits for the UK over the long term
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
The value of public R&D
www.gov.uk
October 30, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Government has published one of those quiet but important documents that might get overlooked as it is not 'newsy'. The headline finding is that £1 of public R&D investment generates £8 in net economic benefits for the UK over the long term
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
I keep being told spending cuts are easy. Honest proposals such as those recently outlined by Policy Exchange show they are not
My column www.ft.com/content/f086...
My column www.ft.com/content/f086...
October 30, 2025 at 8:05 AM
I keep being told spending cuts are easy. Honest proposals such as those recently outlined by Policy Exchange show they are not
My column www.ft.com/content/f086...
My column www.ft.com/content/f086...
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
Has anyone done any work - or had any thoughts - about how the changes in advertising might change the actual products we buy?
Do we buy the same stuff under a regime of google/meta/amazon ads than we would under traditional TV and print advertising?
Do we buy the same stuff under a regime of google/meta/amazon ads than we would under traditional TV and print advertising?
October 26, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Has anyone done any work - or had any thoughts - about how the changes in advertising might change the actual products we buy?
Do we buy the same stuff under a regime of google/meta/amazon ads than we would under traditional TV and print advertising?
Do we buy the same stuff under a regime of google/meta/amazon ads than we would under traditional TV and print advertising?
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
PSA: we're aware that Signal is down for some people. This appears to be related to a major AWS outage. Stand by.
October 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
43. Data centers are increasing power demand, but let's keep a sense of proportion. BNEF estimates total electricity demand from data centers of 373TWh in 2024 (1.2% of global generation) and expects this to increase to 1,596TWh (4.4% of global) in 2035. (www.bnef.com/themes/t0hlz... )
AI Data Centers Fuel Quicker Growth In Power Demand
www.bnef.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:57 AM
43. Data centers are increasing power demand, but let's keep a sense of proportion. BNEF estimates total electricity demand from data centers of 373TWh in 2024 (1.2% of global generation) and expects this to increase to 1,596TWh (4.4% of global) in 2035. (www.bnef.com/themes/t0hlz... )
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
40. There are signs that solar is reducing fossil fuel burn in poorer countries, for example Pakistan — which has no significant government support for solar but has built over 25GW just in response to high prices for power and fuel for irrigation.
October 20, 2025 at 7:56 AM
40. There are signs that solar is reducing fossil fuel burn in poorer countries, for example Pakistan — which has no significant government support for solar but has built over 25GW just in response to high prices for power and fuel for irrigation.
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
38. Ordinary people have no idea how much progress we’ve made. Tell people at parties that UK carbon emissions in 2023 were at their lowest level since 1879, for example. Most developed economies are now reducing carbon emissions without lowering quality of life.
October 20, 2025 at 7:56 AM
38. Ordinary people have no idea how much progress we’ve made. Tell people at parties that UK carbon emissions in 2023 were at their lowest level since 1879, for example. Most developed economies are now reducing carbon emissions without lowering quality of life.
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
36. We’re finally getting serious about net zero carbon. Getting that last 5-20% of carbon out of power will be hard, and require some expensive solutions. The first 80-95% is easy-ish but we're getting on with it.
October 20, 2025 at 7:56 AM
36. We’re finally getting serious about net zero carbon. Getting that last 5-20% of carbon out of power will be hard, and require some expensive solutions. The first 80-95% is easy-ish but we're getting on with it.
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
30. Decarbonizing aviation is really hard. The CEO of Lufthansa said in 2023 that running its fleet on sustainable aviation fuel made from electricity would take half Germany’s current electricity demand. BNEF thinks this an underestimate.
October 20, 2025 at 7:54 AM
30. Decarbonizing aviation is really hard. The CEO of Lufthansa said in 2023 that running its fleet on sustainable aviation fuel made from electricity would take half Germany’s current electricity demand. BNEF thinks this an underestimate.
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
25. To put it another way: when you tell an energy future model to optimise a power portfolio for clean power adequacy, it will give you more wind and less solar than when you tell it to optimise a least-cost electricity sector development.
October 20, 2025 at 7:53 AM
25. To put it another way: when you tell an energy future model to optimise a power portfolio for clean power adequacy, it will give you more wind and less solar than when you tell it to optimise a least-cost electricity sector development.
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
24. We oughtta be building more wind. Seriously, solar will get built anyway, but wind needs some help, and wind blows in the dark and in the winter. It doesn’t help that solar pushes down power prices and generates renewable energy credits (where relevant), which hurts wind farm economics.
October 20, 2025 at 7:53 AM
24. We oughtta be building more wind. Seriously, solar will get built anyway, but wind needs some help, and wind blows in the dark and in the winter. It doesn’t help that solar pushes down power prices and generates renewable energy credits (where relevant), which hurts wind farm economics.
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
Trump's attacks on clean energy will have long-lasting impact on US economy
• New clean energy capacity added through 2030 will be 23% lower than planned
• Trump's attacks on clean energy sector could threaten US rise as superpower for AI and data centres
• New clean energy capacity added through 2030 will be 23% lower than planned
• Trump's attacks on clean energy sector could threaten US rise as superpower for AI and data centres
October 21, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Trump's attacks on clean energy will have long-lasting impact on US economy
• New clean energy capacity added through 2030 will be 23% lower than planned
• Trump's attacks on clean energy sector could threaten US rise as superpower for AI and data centres
• New clean energy capacity added through 2030 will be 23% lower than planned
• Trump's attacks on clean energy sector could threaten US rise as superpower for AI and data centres
Reposted by Eliot Whittington
Excellent news: Keir Starmer will be at #COP30 next month.
Attending the conference shows that the PM wants to maintain strong UK leadership on climate change and reaffirms his view of ambitious climate action as "the economic opportunity of the 21st century".
Attending the conference shows that the PM wants to maintain strong UK leadership on climate change and reaffirms his view of ambitious climate action as "the economic opportunity of the 21st century".
Starmer will attend Cop30 climate summit in Brazil, says Downing Street
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the move was part of efforts to restore the UK as ‘a global leader for climate action and green growth’.
www.independent.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Excellent news: Keir Starmer will be at #COP30 next month.
Attending the conference shows that the PM wants to maintain strong UK leadership on climate change and reaffirms his view of ambitious climate action as "the economic opportunity of the 21st century".
Attending the conference shows that the PM wants to maintain strong UK leadership on climate change and reaffirms his view of ambitious climate action as "the economic opportunity of the 21st century".