Chairman’s Conclusions: Think local first: designing an EU buildings policy framework centred on consumers, local authorities and energy advisory services to deliver on Europe’s renovation challenge

A policy roundtable, organised by the PUBLENEF project through one of the consortium organisations (Energy Cities) and the Energy Advice Exchange, was held on June 20th in Brussels during the EU Sustainable Energy Week in order to further explore the key role and importance of local authorities and energy advisory services in Europe’s energy efficiency … Continue reading Chairman’s Conclusions: Think local first: designing an EU buildings policy framework centred on consumers, local authorities and energy advisory services to deliver on Europe’s renovation challenge →

Lessons from the Ming Dynasty

There are often important lessons from the past. Dave Frame, Professor of Climate Change at Victoria University of Wellington provides a good article on The Conversation website about lessons from the Ming Dynasty. 15th-century Chinese sailors have a lesson for Trump about climate policy In the early 15th century the Ming Dynasty in China undertook … Continue reading Lessons from the Ming Dynasty →

We need to get smarter in how we use our water resources

As we look at resource efficiency in a more comprehensive manner, there is a need to address how we use water. Dragan Savic, Professor of Hydroinformatics at the University of Exeter provides a good article on The Conversation website Why the world needs to get smarter about water consumption In 1900, just 15% of … Continue reading We need to get smarter in how we use our water resources →

Cities adapting to climate change in Canada

As Canadians are feeling the impact of climate change, there is a need for greater action at the local level. Malcolm Araos, James Ford and Stephanie Austin explain in an article on The Conversation website. Climate change is making cities sick and we need to act Urban Canadians are feeling the impact of climate change. … Continue reading Cities adapting to climate change in Canada →

Rhode Island highlights problems with public funds for energy efficiency

Paul Roselli writes on the RI Future website about the decision to remove some of the budget for energy efficiency because the state lost money from removing the car tax from state income. This is quite worrying. Do you know of other such examples? Energy efficiency fund raided to balance budget: $12.5 million of … Continue reading Rhode Island highlights problems with public funds for energy efficiency →

More evidence of important role of local governments to address global problems

It is encouraging to see the actions at the local level to address climate change. The Paris climate conference was valuable in raising the awareness of the challenge we face. Luc Soete, Professorial Fellow at United Nations University writes a good account of these activities in an article on The Conversation website. Cities rally … Continue reading More evidence of important role of local governments to address global problems →

Rolling out smart meters is a bumpy road

All EU member states are required to roll out smart meters to the majority of their citizens in upcoming years. Adam Vaughan writes in The Guardian about some of the problems arising in the UK. Is it similar in other countries? Smart meter rollout could force household bills to rise, says supplier Energy suppliers … Continue reading Rolling out smart meters is a bumpy road →

With Britain leaving EU, there is still need to maintain appropriate regulations

Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, warns energy saving product rules that slash domestic and business costs could be at risk post-Brexit. The article first appeared on the Business Green website. Importantly, Andrew’s comments were echoed by Energy Institute vice president and former National Grid CEO Steve Holliday who warned that "the … Continue reading With Britain leaving EU, there is still need to maintain appropriate regulations →

New survey shows how local governments in US are addressing climate change

It is encouraging to see how local governments everywhere are taking more direct action to address climate change. Many see the other benefits such as improved air quality. The US Conference of Mayors has recently undertaken a survey of cities throughout the country. A summary of results is available on the globenewswire website. Survey finds … Continue reading New survey shows how local governments in US are addressing climate change →

New report raises many issues related to the twin problems of carbon emissions and air pollution from road use

Richard Howard, Director of Development & Head of Environment & Energy at the Policy Exchange writes on their website about a new report that he co-authored. The report argues that the Government needs to take more coordinated and assertive action to address the twin problems of carbon emissions and air pollution from road use. However, … Continue reading New report raises many issues related to the twin problems of carbon emissions and air pollution from road use →