The Energy Charter Secretariat and the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States signed a Memorandum of Understanding on issues concerning energy cooperation between the two organisations. "Economic activity needs stability, and stability is based upon better understanding and closer cooperation. That is precisely what we intend to achieve through implementation of this Memorandum … Continue reading Energy Charter and the Arab League sign a memorandum of understanding
Author: Rod Janssen
Public consultation on financial support for energy efficiency in buildings
A two-month public consultation on "Financial Support for Energy Efficiency in Buildings" has been launched by the Directorate General for Energy. The consultation period expires on May 18th. The objective is to obtain the views of the wide range of stakeholders throughout Europe on ways to improve the financial support for energy efficiency measures that … Continue reading Public consultation on financial support for energy efficiency in buildings
Russian steps . . .
Rod Janssen of EiD has worked in many regions of Russia and can testify to the problems with improving energy use in the country. This is an excellent article from Reuter’s on many of the issues facing Russia. Reluctant Russia wakes up to energy waste by Jennifer Rankin MOSCOW, March 20 (Reuters) - The … Continue reading Russian steps . . .
Energy savings targets revisited
Negotiators of the draft Energy Efficiency Directive have been struggling for months to settle on a strategy to achieve the 2020 energy savings target. The Commission, Council, Parliament and all stakeholders agree that the indicative 20% energy savings target will not be achieved with current policies and programmes. There have been debates about how to … Continue reading Energy savings targets revisited
Why is EU energy saving easier said than done?
This is an excellent question and answer article by Barbara Lewis of Reuter’s that was published on March 15th. The topic is one that anyone working in energy efficiency in Europe has struggled with endlessly. Q&A – Why is EU energy saving easier said than done? (Reuters) - A draft European Union law on energy … Continue reading Why is EU energy saving easier said than done?
IEA unveils new initiatives on sustainable energy policies and technologies in the buildings sector
Cutting back on the amount of energy consumed in buildings all over the world will represent a significant step forward in efforts to strengthen energy security and combat climate change, International Energy Agency Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven said as she announced new IEA initiatives on sustainable energy policies and technologies in the buildings … Continue reading IEA unveils new initiatives on sustainable energy policies and technologies in the buildings sector
More interesting reading . . .
Two new reports from the OECD and the UK government should definitely be on EiD readers’ bookshelves. From the OECD The OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050: The Consequences of Inaction presents the latest projections of socio-economic trends over the next four decades, and their implications for four key areas of concern: climate change, biodiversity, water and health … Continue reading More interesting reading . . .
Video-in-Demand
EiD has come across two excellent videos for EiD readers. The first is by Peter Sweatman for Eurima, the European Insulation Manufacturers, on Financing Mechanisms for Europe’s Buildings Renovations. This is an excellent argument for an ambitious energy efficiency directive and the need for incentives for building refurbishment. The second is by the UNFCCC Executive … Continue reading Video-in-Demand
Does building turbines use more energy than they produce?
This is an excellent article from February 29th in the Guardian by Leo Hickman on life cycle analysis of wind turbines. The average windfarm produces 20-25 times more energy during its operational life than was used to construct and install its turbines Critics of wind energy often claim that the energy used to construct a … Continue reading Does building turbines use more energy than they produce?
Brussels . . . Briefly . . .
Following the vote by the European Parliament on February 28th, it is now the turn of the European Council under the Presidency of Denmark to get a common position in order to start the trialogues. For information on the co-decision process, go to the Reference Material page. All indications show that the negotiations will start … Continue reading Brussels . . . Briefly . . .
