Category: Analysis

Creating jobs and boosting the economy

Energy efficiency investment is one of the best ways to boost the economy, new research reveals.  GreenWise provides a good review of a new study from Consumer Focus in the UK.  The lessons from this, however, go well beyond the UK.   Carbon taxes could boost economy and lower energy bills Investing money raised through … Continue reading Creating jobs and boosting the economy →

What the IEA’s World Energy Outlook says about energy efficiency

This week, the International Energy Agency published its 2012 version of its World Energy Outlook.  There was considerable attention given to energy efficiency.  It is instructive to read some excerpts on energy efficiency from the executive summary. Our Efficient World Scenario shows how tackling the barriers to energy efficiency investment can unleash this potential and … Continue reading What the IEA’s World Energy Outlook says about energy efficiency →

The struggles of a resource economy

A recent report commissioned by the Canadian International Council analyses how Canada should start shaping its resource policies for the future.  Fur, fish, wood, and minerals may have shaped this country's early history, but more recently, natural resources were largely regarded as part of the old economy, best left behind as Canada raced toward a glittery … Continue reading The struggles of a resource economy →

Health effects from wind farms

Andrew Gilligan of The Telegraph writes about the first peer-reviewed scientific study on the health effects from the noise of wind farms. Wind farm noise does harm sleep and health, say scientists American and British researchers compared two groups of residents in the US state of Maine. One group lived within a mile of a … Continue reading Health effects from wind farms →

Promoting energy efficiency to address climate change

A report by the University of East Anglia provides strong evidence that the climate change strategy requires a strong effort from improved energy efficiency. Climate Change Efforts Must Target Energy Efficiency Much more must be done to develop energy efficient cars, buildings and domestic appliances to address climate change – according to new research from … Continue reading Promoting energy efficiency to address climate change →

Two excellent energy efficiency papers

The journal Energy Policy provides two excellent energy efficiency papers on the impact of energy labels and the possible role of how feed-in tariffs can be an option to promote energy saving. The first paper, entitled The impact of energy labels and accessibility on office rents is by Nils Kok from Maastricht University and Maarten … Continue reading Two excellent energy efficiency papers →

Subsidies on energy supply

Charles Kenny for Bloomberg Business Week wrote an excellent article on government subsidies recently.  Mr. Kenny is a fellow at the Centre for Global Development and the New America Foundation.  It is particularly pertinent following Hurricane Sandy as the discussion on climate change heats up. When It Comes to Government Subsidies, Dirty Energy Still Cleans … Continue reading Subsidies on energy supply →

IEA helps to inform the debate on climate change leading up to Doha

In the lead-up to the UN climate negotiations in Doha, the latest information on the level and growth of CO₂ emissions, their source and geographic distribution will be essential to lay the foundation for a global agreement. To provide input to and support for the UN process the IEA is making available for free download … Continue reading IEA helps to inform the debate on climate change leading up to Doha →