Everyone in Europe is watching Germany so carefully because it has taken a bold stance to decarbonise its economy while at the same time phasing out nuclear and endorsing its commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency. This article from Renewable Energy Focus provides some insight into the “politics” of trying to achieve all these … Continue reading Feed-in tariffs and German policy
Author: Rod Janssen
Sustainable development in the Paris region
Paris is taking a very progressive approach on sustainable development. You can see from the “Neighbourhood” that there are good things going on in the EiD “quartier.” This article from Agence France Presse presents a new roadmap that the regional council has recently published. Sustainable Development: the Ile de France presents its roadmap PARIS … Continue reading Sustainable development in the Paris region
Survey by Johnson Control’s Institute for Buildings Efficiency
The Johnson Controls Institute for Building Efficiency just released the results of the 6th Energy Efficiency Indicator survey, an annual research study about global energy trends. Nearly 3,500 executives from private and public sectors provided insights into energy management practices, the barriers to energy efficiency, and what motivates them to act. According to the results … Continue reading Survey by Johnson Control’s Institute for Buildings Efficiency
The challenges for energy efficiency in Russia
EiD has previously had posts on energy efficiency developments in Russia. They are important because Russia is going through a fundamental change on how it relates to energy demand. Much of the economy is built on energy supply and exporting it to western markets. But there is also an increasing realisation that its own use … Continue reading The challenges for energy efficiency in Russia
Quote of the week
The European Council met in Brussels June 28th and 29th and formally approved the Energy Efficiency Directive. The Communiqué states: Following the formal adoption of the Energy Efficiency Directive, Member States must rapidly implement it, making full use of its provisions in order to exploit the significant potential for job creation in this sector. Council … Continue reading Quote of the week
Energy Saving Trust: stand-by mode wastes £1.3bn on household appliances
A study by the Energy Saving Trust in the UK of energy wasted from stand-by use provides important lessons for all countries. Even though there have been campaigns and energy performance standards to reduce stand-by consumption, the total impact is still a major concern. Energy Saving Trust: households waste £1.3bn for leaving gadget switched … Continue reading Energy Saving Trust: stand-by mode wastes £1.3bn on household appliances
Supreme Court Justice says courts are crucial to environmental protection
Lord Carnwath of Notting Hill, a justice of the UK supreme court, writes in the Guardian of the missed opportunity at Rio+20 to emphasise how people can effect real change through the courts: Judges for the environment: we have a crucial role to play While politicians may have failed to agree any headline-grabbing commitments … Continue reading Supreme Court Justice says courts are crucial to environmental protection
Figures for the week
A few key figures from France on the buildings sector that show the challenge for a retrofit strategy: Potential to renovate homes in France: 20 million Energy for heating in houses: 37% gas, 35% electricity, 22% oil, 6% wood Construction date of housing stock: 33% of homes predate 1948, 32% between 1948 and 1975, … Continue reading Figures for the week
EU holds out hope for UK’s green goods tax break
BusinessGreen reports (below) that the European Commission recently ordered the UK government to repeal a law that allows reduced rates of VAT on insulation materials and solar panels, on the grounds that it fails to comply with the EU's VAT Directive. In a bizarre move, the European Commission suggests a defence that the UK can … Continue reading EU holds out hope for UK’s green goods tax break
MPs have no idea how to meet the ‘carbon’ target they voted for
When readers asked their MPs to explain how the UK would cut CO2 emissions by 80 per cent, the answers made worrying reading. This is an important article from Britain's Sunday Telegraph. MPs have no idea how to meet the 'carbon' target they voted for by Christopher Booker The Sunday Telegraph The great global … Continue reading MPs have no idea how to meet the ‘carbon’ target they voted for
