Category: Analysis

Is efficient sufficient? revisited

Stephen Lacy for Greentech efficiency raises important points about our energy use in houses.  In Europe, the eceee had an excellent workshop on this a few years ago, and it needs to be discussed even more. These trends in America are, one suspects, that are also true for Europe.  Maybe they will be discussed at … Continue reading Is efficient sufficient? revisited →

Discussing the rebound effect from energy efficiency

On January 24th and 25th, there was an excellent roundtable at the IEA discussing the Macroeconomic Benefits of Energy Efficiency.  There was an extensive discussion on the rebound effect with no real conclusion other than it must be analysed.  How the results are used is up for debate.  By coincidence, that very day there were … Continue reading Discussing the rebound effect from energy efficiency →

New study shows that Canada can achieve an 80% carbon reduction by 2050

Ralph Torrie, Managing Director of the Trottier Energy Futures Project, describes a new study they have just released.  While the focus is Canada, it reviews low-carbon scenario research from eight industrialised countries.  This is an important study that deserves   An 80% Carbon Reduction: It’s Not Just Business as Usual An 80% reduction in Canada’s … Continue reading New study shows that Canada can achieve an 80% carbon reduction by 2050 →

Impact of biofuel production assessed

The Reuters news agency writes in The Guardian about a new study that biofuel production could actually be doing a lot of harm to the environment. Biofuel production threatens air quality and crop yields, study finds Report warns large-scale cultivation of trees for renewable wood fuel would emit high levels of the chemical isoprene. Fighting … Continue reading Impact of biofuel production assessed →

Data needed on tenant behaviour

Professor Elena Gaura of the Low Impact Buildings Grand Challenge Initiative at Coventry University in the UK writes about a new experiment to have a better understanding of tenant data in order to help develop a more sustainable approach to sustainable housing  Sustainable housing movement held back by lack of tenant data The Naked House … Continue reading Data needed on tenant behaviour →

2012 – the year in graphs

The Washington Post asked many experts for the graph that they felt best explained 2012.  Two of the graphs relate to sustainable energy.  First, the nominee related to climate change was Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org. The second graph is by Michael Greenstone, professor of economics at MIT and Director of the Hamilton Project.  It … Continue reading 2012 – the year in graphs →

Cars in Europe cause serious negative impact on environment

Peter Walker writes in the Guardian of recent research that shows the cost of cars to our environment. Car pollution, noise and accidents 'cost every EU citizen £600 (€750) a year' Researchers challenge view that drivers are overtaxed, saying they are subsidised by other taxpayers The perennial complaint from drivers that they are excessively taxed … Continue reading Cars in Europe cause serious negative impact on environment →

Positive impact from home air conditioning

Juliet Eilperin recently wrote in the Washington Post about a new study that has analysed the impact of deploying air conditioning on a wide scale to reduce deaths from excessive heat.  While this is interesting indeed, it does not mention that maybe houses should be better built to integrate passive heating and cooling in order … Continue reading Positive impact from home air conditioning →