Day: October 18, 2014

Addressing climate change: investing in infrastructure and the need for structural adjustment

In September, the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate (chaired by former President of Mexico Felipe Calderón and Lord Stern) published its major report, The New Climate Economy Report. This report is playing an important role preparing the need for a global commitment on climate change, hopefully at the climate conference in Paris in … Continue reading Addressing climate change: investing in infrastructure and the need for structural adjustment →

Achieving new climate and energy targets for EU proving difficult

EiD already provided readers with maps on the current positions of member states for future climate and energy targets for 2030. There is certainly no consensus. While the UK Secretary of Energy, Ed Davey, believes that a compromise is possible, one must hope it is not the lowest common denominator. This article by Henry Foy, … Continue reading Achieving new climate and energy targets for EU proving difficult →

Promoting industrial energy efficiency

Wayne Kovach writes on the Manufacturing Business Technology website about the Better Plants Programme in the US.   Manufacturers Gear Up For More Energy Efficiency The Better Plants Program recently recognized eleven manufacturers for their efforts in reducing energy consumption. The energy-efficiency based government initiative enrolls businesses that commit to reducing their energy intensity by … Continue reading Promoting industrial energy efficiency →

Impact of fuel-efficient vehicles in Ireland

Frank McDonald writes in the Irish Times about the significant reduction in energy consumption by the switch to energy-efficient vehicles in Ireland.   Fuel-efficient cars reduce energy use by a quarter Consumer preference for more fuel-efficient cars has reduced energy use in the transport sector by 25 per cent since 2007, according to data released … Continue reading Impact of fuel-efficient vehicles in Ireland →

Britain turns to the Netherlands for a retrofit model

While Europe is increasingly turning to nearly zero energy buildings for new build, the need for that concept to take hold for existing buildings is important. Arthur Neslen writes an important article in The Guardian about how Britain is turning to an important development in The Netherlands. Is this the way for the future? Are … Continue reading Britain turns to the Netherlands for a retrofit model →

Using innovative financing to support renewable energy

Keith Findlay writes in the Press and Journal from Aberdeen Scotland of the use of crowdfunding to raise funds for new windfarm projects. The company involved, Triodos Renewables, was set up in 1995 and is a UK company managed by Bristol-based Triodos Bank.   Renewables developer launches crowdfunded share issue Green-energy firm Triodos Renewables is … Continue reading Using innovative financing to support renewable energy →

How renewable energy should be subsidised

Seldom do we think about how we should provide subsidies. Iván Martén. senior partner at the Boston Consulting Group, provides three important principles in a recent Wall Street Journal blog.   Three Principles for Subsidizing Renewable Energy Renewable-energy production brings extra costs to the power system that should be managed and subsidized in the most … Continue reading How renewable energy should be subsidised →

How businesses are getting ‘smart’ about saving energy

Krystle Morey provides us with a good post from the Albany Business Review in the US about the benefits to manufacturers from investing in smart technologies.   Manufacturer invests in 'smart' equipment to save on energy costs After watching his energy bill jump 40 percent last year during the winter, Scott Stevens is taking steps … Continue reading How businesses are getting ‘smart’ about saving energy →