See News section to see newly released videos about the Island’s transition to green energy

Knowledge Hub

The Burning Question Series

Facts about fossil fuels and renewable energy

Part 1 - Oil Producers Part 2 - Fossil Fuels vs Wind

BBC’s Clive Myrie hosts the Island’s critical discussion on achieving net zero emissions

Click on the slide to go to the recordings.

Energy Transition Le

ague - What are other islands doing to become self-sufficient in green electricity?

Link to slides

Presentation to Chamber of Commerce’s Business Sustainability Group, 13 July ‘23

Link to article

Find out about follow-up courses & workshops here - www.greenfutureisland.im

Net Zero Island – preparing businesses for a low-carbon future

With the Climate Change Act 2021, the Isle of Man has committed to net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050.  This represents the greatest transformation Manx society has ever experienced, impacting power production and use, heating systems, commercial activities and transport. 

Companies will benefit from taking a proactive approach in reducing their environmental impact by, for example, decarbonizing their activities.  These slides are from a workshop run by the Institute of Directors, covering the options for building a viable emissions-free business.

You can send comments and suggestions here.

 

Future climate on the Isle of Man

This animation shows that, unlike many parts of the world, climate change will probably cause NW Europe to get colder as the Gulf Stream slows up and stops due to meltwater from Greenland.

Greenhouse gas emissions & global temperature rise

This animation shows the increase in human emissions of greenhouse gases since 1850 and the consequent rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide, average global temperatures and sea-level.

 
 

A home-grown solution to achieve net zero emissions

Can the Isle of Man power itself with renewable energy?

Manx assets of wind, sun, water & mountains offer the opportunity to do something special for climate change . We consider how the Island could become self-sufficient in green electricity.

You can send comments and suggestions here.

Graphs illustrating climate change


Greenhouse gas emissions since 1850 and their effects

Reference: Quirk, D.G., 2021. Human-related greenhouse gas emissions and their effects, 1850-2020.

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.11432.49921/2.

Global data are used to demonstrate the effect that carbon emissions have had on temperatures, sea-level and ocean acidity. These emissions result from burning organic carbon (fossil fuels & vegetation), industrial manufacturing and agriculture. Although there are uncertainties in the degree of warming and climate change we can expect in the future, the greenhouse effect is indisputable. Solar energy absorbed by the surface of the Earth is radiated back to the atmosphere as infrared energy. Rather than being lost to space, too much of the infrared energy is now being trapped by rising amounts of greenhouses gases, predominantly carbon dioxide, causing the atmosphere to heat up. This effect was already predicted by Svante Arrhenius in 1896. In addition, more carbon dioxide is being dissolved in sea water so that the oceans are becoming more acidic, a threat to shelled animals such as corals. To maintain a climate comfortable for humans and an environment suitable for present-day animals and plants, emissions of greenhouse gases need to be quickly and effectively curbed.

You can send comments and suggestions here.

Peer-reviewed paper on the causes of climate change


 

Net zero emissions by 2050 - why and how?

This article discusses the reasons behind the Isle of Man’s commitments to decarbonize and the options available to achieving this through transforming the Island’s energy system.

You can send comments and suggestions here.

Chance of finding & developing a new gas field in the Irish Sea

There are many steps in assessing whether there is an economic gas field because the prospective rock layers lie at great depth beneath the sea bed.  At each step there is the potential risk of failure due to geological or commercial issues. The two slides shown here show the steps & decisions involved in evaluating a good prospect and a poor prospect. In both cases, the chance of economic success is relatively low. It should therefore come as no surprise that most oil & gas ventures fail.

Where are energy prices heading?

High & unpredictable energy prices are a direct consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This article discusses what we can expect in the short term as well as possible solutions over the medium term.

Principle of pumped hydro storage - animation by Gary Myers