Nick Butler
Prospect Magazine
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Past articles by Nick:
The failure of French nuclear power will worsen Britain’s energy crisis
There will be no easy energy solutions for Britain’s new prime minister → Read More
Spending £4bn on a new nuclear station at Sizewell will not solve the UK’s energy problems
Instead of sensible short-term measures to help those facing energy poverty, the government is focusing on a technology with a track record of failure → Read More
Divestment from Russia shows companies are finally putting their political power to use
Can major corporations accept responsibility for their impact on global events? → Read More
The lessons of a completely unnecessary energy crisis
The global spike in gas prices was predictable—and its worst impacts could have been avoided → Read More
Solution to wasted energy lies in improved distribution
The scope for efficiency gains is enormous, even without more technology or scientific breakthroughs → Read More
Beyond COP26, a new form of climate diplomacy is needed
COP26 is over. The judgment on whether the climate summit was a success or a failure will depend on your expectations. The result was not the triumph proclaimed by Boris Johnson, nor the total failure described by Greta Thunberg. In both cases their comments felt pre-scripted. The reality was much more complex, with some successes, some serious disappointments and with the eventual impact… → Read More
A global climate consensus is impossible—and it might not be desirable either
It's time for more action and less dialogue when it comes to making a tangible difference to climate change → Read More
Successive UK governments have neglected energy security—and we are now paying the price
Fossil fuels may not be popular, but they are still essential, as the current gas price hike and food shortages are demonstrating → Read More
Is oil and gas exploration at an end?
We have already found more hydrocarbon than we can consume if the world is to keep emissions below the danger level—but global oil demand continues to rise → Read More
How growing conflict with China could impact UK nuclear power
Given the tension between the two countries, the UK is unlikely to give China access to its nuclear energy. But a trade dispute would affect us more than them → Read More
New tariffs are not the answer to global climate challenges
As part of its recent Green Deal, the EU is planning to impose tariffs on those who do not meet its climate standards. The policy sounds logical—but it won’t work in practice. → Read More
Why the government’s bold green promises lack substance
Reducing UK carbon emissions to net zero will be costly. Postponing the Environment Bill for a third time risks making the green transition less feasible → Read More
The UK has an ambitious decarbonisation plan. But does it have a credible one?
2021 will be the critical year for climate change policy. The UK’s enthusiasm is no guarantee of success → Read More
Why there is new hope for new nuclear
A different kind of reactor could drive decarbonisation → Read More
The real barrier to zero carbon
An oil pumpjack at work. Photo: Ljm/Zuma Press/PA Images Carbon charges—taxes if you wish—are the most effective market mechanism for shifting the pattern of energy use away from hydrocarbons such as oil and gas and towards sustainable alternatives. Many of the alternatives are already available at a reasonable cost, while others are the subject of promising research and development work. As a… → Read More
Government is now lagging behind energy companies in the green transition
Public policy must catch up with private sector initiatives if the UK is to meet its targets → Read More
The collapsing oil price is the final nail in the coffin of the case for Scottish Independence
Sturgeon will find any renewed push is fatally undermined by the economic reality → Read More
Why the worst is yet to come for the energy sector
The historic oil price collapse we have witnessed is just the beginning → Read More
Stability in the oil market remains elusive
But the tentative emergence of new structures of global governance could be the story of 2020 → Read More
Is digitisation the fourth stage of the hydrocarbon revolution?
Why oil and gas 4.0 is really better described as oil and gas 1.4 → Read More