European Court of Auditors states that greater focus on cost-effectiveness still needed in co-funded energy efficiency investments in buildings

The European Court of Auditors recently assessed whether EU co-funded energy efficiency investments in buildings had cost-effectively helped the EU toward its 2020 energy saving target. Cost-effectiveness is not a determining factor for allocating public funding to energy efficiency measures in residential buildings, according to a new report from the ECA. Despite improved guidance from … Continue reading European Court of Auditors states that greater focus on cost-effectiveness still needed in co-funded energy efficiency investments in buildings →

Tribute to one of the world’s major climate change scientists: “his was the voice that always carried real authority”

A towering figure in tackling global heating, the UK climate science pioneer Sir John Houghton has died at 88, a victim of the coronavirus pandemic. Andrew Warren, director of the Association for the Conservation of Energy between 1981 and 2014and now chair the British Energy Efficiency Federation, provides a personal tribute on the Climate News … Continue reading Tribute to one of the world’s major climate change scientists: “his was the voice that always carried real authority” →

The US Environmental Protection Agency has been busy finding reasons not to pursue long-lasting air quality gains

We are increasingly discouraged by the environmental policies of the Trump administration. H. Christopher Frey, the Glenn E. Futrell Distinguished University Professor of Environmental Engineering at North Carolina State University writes in an article on The Conversation website about the EPA’s latest rejection of science that will have an impact on air quality. EPA … Continue reading The US Environmental Protection Agency has been busy finding reasons not to pursue long-lasting air quality gains →

This year’s EU Responsible Islands Prizes go to . . .

Recognising achievements in local renewables production for power, heating, cooling and transport, prizes are awarded to discover and reward European islands that were taking real steps towards building proper sustainable communities. This year’s winners were announced in a news item on the Renews website. Danish islands and Orkney take EU sustainability prize The Danish … Continue reading This year’s EU Responsible Islands Prizes go to . . . →

Our buildings need to be ready for the changing climate

The European Commission wants us to start a renovation wave for our buildings and it considers that the national long-term renovation strategies are an important input to the 'renovation wave’ initiative announced as part of the European Green Deal. While they were due early March, only six Member States have submitted their strategies and of … Continue reading Our buildings need to be ready for the changing climate →

British climate activists stuck in Kosovo because of the coronavirus pandemic, having refused evacuation flight back home

The coronavirus crisis is affecting all of us in different ways. Visar Kryeziu writes for The Associated Press on the National Newswatch website about one couple who are stuck in Kosovo because of refusing to get on an evacuation flight. What would you have done? UK climate activists stranded in historic town in Kosovo … Continue reading British climate activists stuck in Kosovo because of the coronavirus pandemic, having refused evacuation flight back home →

Some utilities are employing AI and machine learning to address the windfalls and fluctuations in energy usage resulting from COVID-19

We are often reading about new applications for artificial intelligence. Kyle Wiggers writes on the Venture Beat website about how AI is being used to address the windfalls and fluctuations in energy usage resulting from COVID-19. How utilities are using AI to adapt to electricity demands The spread of the novel coronavirus that causes … Continue reading Some utilities are employing AI and machine learning to address the windfalls and fluctuations in energy usage resulting from COVID-19 →

France’s energy transition: planning for 40 per cent renewables in the power sector by 2030

For a country that has relied on nuclear power for decades, it is interesting to see how its energy transition has evolved. France has recently submitted its final 2030 National Energy and Climate Plan to the European Commission, with an aim for 1/3rd renewable energy in its energy mix by 2030. Ayush Verma explains in … Continue reading France’s energy transition: planning for 40 per cent renewables in the power sector by 2030 →

Estimating the number of lives saved due to the spectacular drop in air pollution

A European research centre has calculated that the levels of nitrogen dioxide and fine particles fell by 40% and 10% respectively in April. In France, 1,230 deaths have been prevented. Stéphane Mandard explains in an article on Le Monde website. By reducing air pollution, isolation would have saved 11,000 deaths in Europe in one … Continue reading Estimating the number of lives saved due to the spectacular drop in air pollution →

The European banking sector has made sluggish progress on tackling the climate crisis in the last three years

According to new research by responsible investment organisation ShareAction, the European banking sector has made sluggish progress on tackling the climate crisis in the last three years. The European Union institutions have been actively trying to bring in the financial institutions to play a bigger role in financing needed low-carbon energy initiatives. One is the … Continue reading The European banking sector has made sluggish progress on tackling the climate crisis in the last three years →