Author: Rod Janssen

Lessons to be learned from Greta Thunberg’s speech to the UN climate summit

Donald A. Brown, Scholar in Residence, Sustainability Ethics and Law at Widener University Commonwealth Law School has written a very thoughtful article on the ethics and climate website about the lessons that climate activists and the media should learn from the speech given by Greta Thunberg. What are your views?   What Climate Activists and … Continue reading Lessons to be learned from Greta Thunberg’s speech to the UN climate summit →

New research shows that energy efficiency measures can slash US energy use and GHG emissions 50 percent by 2050

A report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) offers a road map for dramatically reducing energy waste, identifing ambitious but cost-effective and technically possible measures that would avert emissions of nearly 2,500 million tonnes of heat-trapping carbon dioxide. Amy Brown explains in an article on the Triple Pundit website.   Energy Efficiency … Continue reading New research shows that energy efficiency measures can slash US energy use and GHG emissions 50 percent by 2050 →

Latest update on climate finance for mitigation

The SDG Knowledge Hub of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides the recent update on climate finance for mitigation compiled by Beate Antonich.   Mitigation Finance Update: Every Project Counts to Help Achieve SDGs 7, 13 The past month saw a number of initiatives relating to: economic transitions supported by renewable energy sources, … Continue reading Latest update on climate finance for mitigation →

Installation of LED streetlights making significant headway in India

A news item on the Smart Energy International website describes latest developments in India to install LED streetlights. The results are quite impressive.   Smart streetlights: India celebrates 1 million unit milestone In India, the Ministry of State for Power, New and Renewable Energy has announced the installation of 1 million smart LED streetlights as … Continue reading Installation of LED streetlights making significant headway in India →

Two new studies about the potential for economic growth in the clean energy sector

It is always good for us to learn about new studies that provide important results about the impact of our low carbon energy transition. Elizabeth Perry writes on the workandclimatechangereport.org website about two important new studies from Canada. Let us know what you think of these studies.   With progressive policies, Canada’s clean energy sector … Continue reading Two new studies about the potential for economic growth in the clean energy sector →

Seven facts about financing efficiency projects outline what to know when budgeting for energy solutions

Adam Fairbanks, CEO of a firm dedicated to providing cost-effective retrofit solutions for its commercial and industrial clients in the US writes on the Facility Executive website about seven facts about financing energy efficiency projects.  Do you agree?   7 Facts About Financing Energy Efficiency Projects Facilities need energy efficiency; this is no longer a … Continue reading Seven facts about financing efficiency projects outline what to know when budgeting for energy solutions →

More microgrids installed in Western Australia

The low carbon energy transition in Australia is bringing interesting results.  In parts of Western Australia,  transmission lines are being removed and microgrids are replacing them. This is due to the boost from renewable energy and battery storage.  Steve Hanley explains in an article on the CleanTechnica website.   Western Australia Utility Removing Poles & … Continue reading More microgrids installed in Western Australia →

Increasing concern about “SUV insanity” in our cities

For many reasons, there is increasing attention being given to congestion and air pollution in our cities due to traffic. While, in many cities there has been a trend towards smaller vehicles, increasingly there are growing numbers of sports utility vehicles (SUVs). In Europe, sales of SUVs leaped from 7% of the market in 2009 … Continue reading Increasing concern about “SUV insanity” in our cities →

New report on sustainable finance commitments by private sector banks

The World Resources Institute has recently published a technical note interpreting the sustainable finance commitments of private sector banks.   Unpacking Green Targets: A Framework for Interpreting Private Sector Banks’ Sustainable Finance Commitments by Ariel Pinchot, Ichiro Sato, Giulia Christianson and Lihuan Zhou - October 2019 Private sector banks are facing political, market, and societal … Continue reading New report on sustainable finance commitments by private sector banks →