Blog from Silvia Zinetti: How Community Choice Aggregation empowers communities to increase sustainable energy: Key findings from the feasibility study in Arlington County, Virginia

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) has been discussed in previous EiD posts. This innovative business model is gaining popularity in several states in the U.S. as a tool to support cities to increase sustainable energy and achieve their climate goals. In particular, cities in California have been able to fully embrace the opportunity and many have … Continue reading Blog from Silvia Zinetti: How Community Choice Aggregation empowers communities to increase sustainable energy: Key findings from the feasibility study in Arlington County, Virginia →

Blog from Silvia Zinetti: Sprynt – sustainable urban mobility solution from the U.S.

Urban mobility is an extremely important topic for towns and cities around the world. Cities are filled with traffic congestion, noise pollution, and most importantly a deterioration of urban air quality. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation in the U.S. generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) (28%)[i], while … Continue reading Blog from Silvia Zinetti: Sprynt – sustainable urban mobility solution from the U.S. →

Blog from Silvia Zinetti: Spring thoughts on local energy aggregation: Similarities between the Italian Hera Group and the Community Choice Energy programs in California

In the past three articles, I analyzed several aspects of the Hera Group, its strong dedication to sustainable development, and how the company is advancing energy efficiency in industry. There is one more thing I would like to mention and in particular Hera’s organizational structure and some common features with the Community Choice Energy (CCE) … Continue reading Blog from Silvia Zinetti: Spring thoughts on local energy aggregation: Similarities between the Italian Hera Group and the Community Choice Energy programs in California →

Blog from Silvia Zinetti: The Hera Group experience with green bonds: energy efficiency is the top financed category

Green Bonds have been around for a decade. The World Bank first issued them in 2008 for an equivalent amount of USD 10 million, but starting to take off in 2013 and growing since. In 2017 an equivalent amount of USD 157 billion were issued worldwide.[i] What types of project are mostly financed with Green … Continue reading Blog from Silvia Zinetti: The Hera Group experience with green bonds: energy efficiency is the top financed category →

Blog from Silvia Zinetti: Delivering Energy Efficiency in Industry: How the Hera Group turned an obligation into an innovative and successful business strategy

In my last article, I introduced the Hera Group, an Italian multi-utility owned for the majority by local municipalities, and portrayed its unique approach to global sustainable development. Today the focus is on Hera’s leading role in delivering energy efficiency in industry. Hera committed to energy efficiency more than ten years ago, and from what … Continue reading Blog from Silvia Zinetti: Delivering Energy Efficiency in Industry: How the Hera Group turned an obligation into an innovative and successful business strategy →

Blog from Silvia Zinetti: The HERA Group, from local utility to global sustainable development. A unique approach that could change the way utilities do business around the world

Today I want to bring to the attention of the reader The Hera Group (Gruppo Hera), an Italian multi-utility that with its unique business strategy respects the environment while creating shared value to its customers. The company brings innovation on all fronts, from Circular Economy, Utility 4.0, Smart City, to Customer Experience. Let’s start from … Continue reading Blog from Silvia Zinetti: The HERA Group, from local utility to global sustainable development. A unique approach that could change the way utilities do business around the world →

Blog by Silvia Zinetti: Initial impressions of the sustainable energy scene in Washington D.C. under the current administration

When I moved to Washington D.C. last September I was thrilled by the idea of living in the Capital of the United States. At the same time I had some concerns regarding the sustainable energy scene and how the current federal policy and cutbacks would affect the industry. During the past few months I found … Continue reading Blog by Silvia Zinetti: Initial impressions of the sustainable energy scene in Washington D.C. under the current administration →

Blog by Silvia Zinetti: International perspectives and best practices from “Community Choice Energy” in providing financing for energy efficiency upgrades at the local level

The past two weeks I was busy traveling around Europe. By coincidence and good fortune, I was in Brussels for the EU Sustainable Energy Week and was invited to be part of a panel at PUBLENEF & Energy Advice Exchange policy roundtable “Think local first: designing an EU building policy framework centered on consumers, local … Continue reading Blog by Silvia Zinetti: International perspectives and best practices from “Community Choice Energy” in providing financing for energy efficiency upgrades at the local level →

Blog from Silvia Zinetti: The Community Choice Energy model is gaining momentum in California. Can this knowledge be transferred to Europe?

In my previous post I introduced the concept of Community Choice Energy (CCE) (1) business model and how cities and local governments in California are gaining momentum in leading the way towards sustainable energy transition at the local level. There is definitely an interesting situation. Contrary to what the federal government is doing, California is … Continue reading Blog from Silvia Zinetti: The Community Choice Energy model is gaining momentum in California. Can this knowledge be transferred to Europe? →

A Harvard report published Tuesday highlights rampant greenwashing by leading companies on social media

An AFP news item on the France 24 website discusses a report commissioned by Greenpeace Netherlands that analysed the text and images of 2,300 posts by 22 of Europe’s largest carmakers, fossil fuel producers and airlines this June and July. Two-thirds of companies’ social media posts painted a “green innovation” sheen on their operations, the … Continue reading A Harvard report published Tuesday highlights rampant greenwashing by leading companies on social media →