One six-storey building housing Canterbury Television in Christchurch, New Zealand collapsed during last year’s earthquake killing 115 people. New Zealand's department of building and housing found that the building did not meet minimum requirements, even when it was built in 1986. The report concluded that load-bearing concrete columns were reinforced with insufficient steel, making them … Continue reading Reliance on compliance
Author: Rod Janssen
In the news . . .
This is a very interesting article on a unique system to use of sunlight to light buildings. Switch off the lights, here comes the sun By Rick Pilger Globe and Mail, Friday, January 27, 2012 For those of us who spend most of our days under the alien glow of the artificial light that … Continue reading In the news . . .
Brussels Briefing #1 – an ambitious Energy Efficiency Directive?
From a distance, and even inside Brussels, the process to put sustainable energy policies and programmes in place can be baffling. Here is an attempt to untangle the process for the draft Energy Efficiency Directive and the many voices trying to shape its final form. The Energy Efficiency Directive was published in June 2011. The … Continue reading Brussels Briefing #1 – an ambitious Energy Efficiency Directive?
Financing energy efficiency
It is well known that most energy efficiency measures are cost-effective in meeting energy policy and climate objectives but initial costs are often a barrier for consumers. When an energy company experiences major initial costs, for example in building a thermal power plant, banks will usually provide the necessary financing. It is much different for … Continue reading Financing energy efficiency
How To Achieve A Low Carbon Society #1
There is an interesting debate in the UK at the moment concerning the role of nuclear energy in a future low-carbon society. A recently published cross-party report finds that Ministers misled parliament about the need for new nuclear plants. According to the government's own figures, "there is absolutely no need for any more nuclear power … Continue reading How To Achieve A Low Carbon Society #1
Thinking Global
United Nations declares UN Year of Sustainable Energy for All The United Nations has made2012 the year of Sustainable Energy for All to support three inter-linked objectives: Ensure universal access to modern energy services Double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency Double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. Anyone working … Continue reading Thinking Global
Europe’s Buildings – Zero-energy, or almost . . .
In Europe, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive was recast in 2010, in large part to set more ambitious goals for the energy performance of buildings. As of December 31, 2020, all new – residential and non-residential – buildings will have to be “nearly zero energy.” Nearly zero energy buildings can completely transform the buildings … Continue reading Europe’s Buildings – Zero-energy, or almost . . .
Georgia on my mind
Georgia has had a new in-depth review of its energy efficiency policies and programmes published by the Energy Charter Secretariat. This review follows the one in 2006 for which I was part of the team. Georgia is a country with a lot of potential for energy efficiency improvements and some very dedicated people to make … Continue reading Georgia on my mind
Légion d’Honneur
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has named Dr. Hélène Connor, founder and chairman of HELIO International, a recipient of the 2012 Légion d'Honneur in recognition of her four decades of visionary work in promoting environmental protection, sustainable energy and participatory governance. Hélène and I worked together for more than 12 years and she has been one … Continue reading Légion d’Honneur
Looking past to look forward
As the year begins, and we look forward to what 2012 will bring to the progress of energy efficiency in Europe, a look back at 2011 can offer some clues. In March 2011, after endless delays, the Energy Efficiency Plan (EEP) was finally published. The Plan showed that the EU is not on track to … Continue reading Looking past to look forward
