Blog by “Skip” Laitner: Report on the Critical Role of Smart Policies and Programs to Promote Productive Investments

Following a request from our colleague Benoît Lebot and the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC), https://ipeec.org/, we just finished an analytical manuscript this month on the critical role of policies to drive productive investments in global energy efficiency. The big message? Following the infographic below, by going green (spending smart on policies, programs, … Continue reading Blog by “Skip” Laitner: Report on the Critical Role of Smart Policies and Programs to Promote Productive Investments →

Hyperloop shuttle proposed for India

Technology is evolving quickly. Joe Sommerlad writes on the Independent website about plans by Virgin to build a hyperloop shuttle in India. Just to remind yourself, Wikipedia defines a hyperloop as a proposed mode of passenger and/or freight transportation, first used to describe an open-source vactrain design released by a joint team from Tesla and … Continue reading Hyperloop shuttle proposed for India →

Big emissions reduction achieved in one of world’s first all-electric car ferries

Sophie Vorrath writes on the RenewEconomy website from Australia about the impressive emissions reduction from a Norwegian electric car ferry that was launched in 2015. The results were even better than expected. Norway electric ferry cuts emissions by 95%, costs by 80% New data has shown that one of the world’s first all-electric car … Continue reading Big emissions reduction achieved in one of world’s first all-electric car ferries →

Autonomous transport less efficient than predicted

Andrew Masterson writes on the Cosmos magazine website about two studies that found autonomous transport - self-driving cars and drones – less efficient than predicted. Drone, self-driving vehicle energy savings overstated, reports find Autonomous vehicles and drones could reduce greenhouse gases and energy use in the transport sector, two reports show, but the savings are … Continue reading Autonomous transport less efficient than predicted →

Emissions that result from industrial startups, shutdowns or malfunctions often exceed government standards

Industries often shutdown during routine operations and sometimes because of natural disasters. Nikolaos Zirogiannis, Alex J. Hollingsworth and David Konisky of Indiana University write on The Conversation website about the resulting air pollution. Air pollution from industrial shutdowns and startups worse than thought When Hurricane Harvey struck the Texas coast in August 2017, many … Continue reading Emissions that result from industrial startups, shutdowns or malfunctions often exceed government standards →

Consumer products affect air quality

US research has found that chemicals in everyday household products are now a key contributor to city air pollution, rivalling some vehicle emissions. While many news agencies have reported on this, one of the best articles is from Chris Mooney of the Washington Post. In a surprising study, scientists say everyday chemicals now rival … Continue reading Consumer products affect air quality →

Developments in financing sustainable development

Adam Fishman writes on the International Institute for Sustainable Development’s SDG Knowledge Hub website about recent developments in financing sustainable development. Blended Finance and Private Sector Contributions to the SDGs How will we finance sustainable development? In last week’s SDG Knowledge Weekly, we saw the possibilities that blockchain technology holds for development finance. This … Continue reading Developments in financing sustainable development →

Role of batteries in the energy transition

The opening sentence of this article by John Campion, writing on The Hill website, is quite revealing: “It is an exciting time to be involved in energy innovation.” And it is. You should enjoy this article on the energy transition and the exciting times we live in. Battery technology will define the future of … Continue reading Role of batteries in the energy transition →

Real-time data is the key to unlocking that bold new future

Matt Conway writes a good article on the Energy Collective website about the evolution in how we assess energy efficiency today in our buildings. EiD welcomes your comments. Want More Accurate Building Occupancy and Energy Use Data? Networked LEDs Are Lighting the Way Forward There is a fast-approaching time when the way we assess … Continue reading Real-time data is the key to unlocking that bold new future →

The developing role for artificial intelligence in our low-carbon transition

Libby Bernick wrote recently on the Greenbiz website about the role artificial intelligence and big data play a role in the evolving view of carbon as an asset rather than a threat. Rethinking carbon for the new economy As the world moves toward a low-carbon economy, a fourth industrial revolution is taking place where … Continue reading The developing role for artificial intelligence in our low-carbon transition →