Public consultation on EIB’s energy lending policy underway

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is launching a public consultation as part of the review of its energy sector lending policy. The review process is expected to be finalised in summer 2013. The EIB’s energy sector lending policy is based on relevant EU sector policies. These policies are translated into lending objectives and project screening … Continue reading Public consultation on EIB’s energy lending policy underway →

IEA helps to inform the debate on climate change leading up to Doha

In the lead-up to the UN climate negotiations in Doha, the latest information on the level and growth of CO₂ emissions, their source and geographic distribution will be essential to lay the foundation for a global agreement. To provide input to and support for the UN process the IEA is making available for free download … Continue reading IEA helps to inform the debate on climate change leading up to Doha →

Quote of the week

With the EED now approved and all the arguments for and against transition to thoughts of just how this will be implemented, remember this quote from the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. He who has a why can endure any how

More on tackling fuel poverty in the UK

The Green Building Press provides this account of the impact the Green Deal could help householders who are currently considered in fuel poverty. Green refurb at flats has far reaching benefits A study undertaken at a West London estate could provide a blueprint for taking millions of UK householders out of fuel poverty, and … Continue reading More on tackling fuel poverty in the UK →

Supporting combined heat and power

Elisa Wood on the AOL Energy website provides an interesting column on a view of CHP that few of us have ever considered. Maybe it is a time for us to take a second look . . . How to Make Energy Efficiency Sexy Touted by movie stars, discussed in presidential debates, solar and … Continue reading Supporting combined heat and power →

India promoting solar energy at colleges

The Times of India provides a good review of the efforts underway in Tamil Nadu to ensure solar energy plays a bigger role. Colleges told to meet 6% of needs through solar energy In a desperate effort to tide over the acute power shortage, the Tamil Nadu government has made it mandatory for high-tension consumers … Continue reading India promoting solar energy at colleges →

Concerns about French plans to retrofit homes

Tara Patel of Bloomberg News writes about the controversy in France about the government’s plans to “encourage” homeowners to undertake energy efficiency actions. French plan to reduce energy bills prompts Big Brother outcry Heating a French home could soon require an income tax consultation or even a visit to the doctor under legislation to force … Continue reading Concerns about French plans to retrofit homes →

A taxing drive

DG ENER published in September a map of the total taxation share in the consumer end-use price for Euro-super 95 (gasoline/petrol) and for diesel fuel. Luxembourg had the lowest rate of taxation for diesel fuel (38%) followed by 39% for Cyprus and Cyprus had the lowest for gasoline/petrol (41%). The highest for both is the United … Continue reading A taxing drive →

Save these dates . . .

There are some excellent workshops/conferences coming up that you should consider: The next World Sustainable Energy Days conference will present the work and achievements of young researchers in the field of biomass and in the field of energy efficiency. It will be held as one of the conferences of the World Sustainable Energy Days 2013 from … Continue reading Save these dates . . . →

Committing to a low-carbon economy

Lord Nicholas Stern, author of the provoking 2006 study on the economics of climate change, wrote this week in the Financial Times about the importance of the government fully committing itself to a low-carbon economy. While the focus is on the United Kingdom, it provides important lessons for all countries. Cameron must commit to low-carbon … Continue reading Committing to a low-carbon economy →