There is increased realisation that simply adding solar or wind power to the grid isn’t enough. Often the grid needs expanding to deal with the new load. Maggie Koerth-Baker writes a good article in the New York Times about the issues that arise and how Germany is dealing with them. Change Isn’t as Easy … Continue reading Germany’s energy transition and the concerns about extra transmission lines
Author: Rod Janssen
The impact of a growing number of automobiles globally
Whether it is demographic reality or an income effect, the number of cars on roads is set to double by 2030, David Jolly writes in the New York Times. So, what does that mean for our fossil fuel consumption and our need to reduce carbon emissions? Despite Push for Cleaner Cars, Sheer Numbers Could … Continue reading The impact of a growing number of automobiles globally
How the Chinese are looking to Japan for lessons on energy efficiency
Learning from best practice is necessary for all of us. It is good to see an article from Cai Hong, China Daily’s Tokyo bureau chief writing about what Japanese experience in energy efficiency can do for the Chinese. Lessons can be learned from Japan's energy efficiency experience The Chinese government has announced new target … Continue reading How the Chinese are looking to Japan for lessons on energy efficiency
With India doubling its building stock within the next two decades, emphasis must be on better performing buildings
Much of the climate change discussion about India recently has concerned coal or renewable energy, but the NewsX website provides a good article about the need to deal with the demand side of the equation, and that needs to start with buildings. India needs to create energy efficient buildings, says expert There is an … Continue reading With India doubling its building stock within the next two decades, emphasis must be on better performing buildings
Appealing to hearts and minds in addressing climate change
You have probably read enough about climate issues over the past couple of weeks but Seth Borenstein from the Associated Press wrote a good article on the CBC website that it’s not God vs. science, but both together appealing to mind and heart that many advocates say. Science hasn't convinced many leaders to act … Continue reading Appealing to hearts and minds in addressing climate change
Highlighting the financial exposure of companies to the risk of climate change
Everyone is worried about the impact from climate change. Larry Elliott writes in The Guardian about a newly announced task force that will help the financial markets understand mounting climate-change risks. Michael Bloomberg to head global taskforce on climate change Michael Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor, is to head a new global … Continue reading Highlighting the financial exposure of companies to the risk of climate change
How to gauge a clean city
At the recent climate conference, cities played a big role, as they should. They are part of the solution but, as we have seen with recent air pollution problems in Delhi and Beijing, they can also be the problems. Conrad de Aenlle provides a good article in the New York Times about the difficulty in … Continue reading How to gauge a clean city
This week’s briefs
There are many short news items that you should enjoy. There is a new report from the IEA on SMEs, a survey on the importance of energy efficiency for home buyers and a news item about a project trying to integrate energy efficiency considerations into mortgage affordability calculations. • New IEA Policy Pathway report … Continue reading This week’s briefs
The role of energy efficiency in addressing global climate change
It is always welcome when someone writes about the importance of energy efficiency in climate strategies. Too often the global climate summits, as is underway in Paris right now, energy efficiency has been the poor cousin of mitigation options, even though even organisations such as the International Energy Agency stresses its role as one of … Continue reading The role of energy efficiency in addressing global climate change
The European Commission adopts a new policy package to start the transition to the circular economy
The European Commission recently adopted an ambitious new Circular Economy Package to help European businesses and consumers to make the transition to a stronger and more circular economy where resources are used in a more sustainable way. The proposed actions will contribute to "closing the loop" of product lifecycles through greater recycling and re-use, and … Continue reading The European Commission adopts a new policy package to start the transition to the circular economy
