Impact of energy efficiency standards in the US

Donald Elliott from Covington & Burling LLP writes an informative article on The National Law Review website about the quiet success of energy efficiency standards. It would be good to see an equivalent article on the success of the Ecodesign Directive in Europe. Energy Efficiency Standards A Quiet Success Electricity consumption in the United … Continue reading Impact of energy efficiency standards in the US →

Ecodesign – European Commission land grab or market facilitator?

The Third Generation Environmentalism Ltd, E3G, the independent, non-profit organisation accelerating the global transition to sustainable development, provides a new briefing report on Ecodesign in the form of a question and answer entitled Ecodesign – European Commission land grab or market facilitator? It is a valuable briefing note because it reviews what Ecodesign is and … Continue reading Ecodesign – European Commission land grab or market facilitator? →

Ecodesign to focus on big screen TVs

It is long overdue that size matters when it comes to improving energy efficiency. Arthur Neslen writes an important article on the European Commission’s planning to address mega-TVs. It reminds EiD of the effort made by the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (eceee) several years ago to address whether efficient is sufficient. Hopefully … Continue reading Ecodesign to focus on big screen TVs →

From iPod to smart household appliances

Shane Hickey writes in The Guardian about a former Apple employee, who led the team that developed the iPod, and his interest in designing many of the latest ecological and technical devices found in new homes. Tony Fadell at California-based Nest has been smartening up once-dull household appliances to save households time and money. … Continue reading From iPod to smart household appliances →

The need to shift to energy-efficient appliances

While the Climate Summit was held this week, focus was on the range of ways to address climate change. Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) provided the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) with a guest article on the importance of shifting to energy-efficient appliances. It is well worth reading. Following its publication, … Continue reading The need to shift to energy-efficient appliances →

Turkey’s battle against large energy-consuming appliances

Turkey does not implement all the EU energy efficiency directives, but it does implement those for Ecodesign (energy-efficient appliances) and for energy labelling. This article in the Daily Sabah shows what is happening with respect to refrigerators. While Turkey follows the Ecodesign directive, it has a special consumption tax which is actually lower for the … Continue reading Turkey’s battle against large energy-consuming appliances →

Taking energy efficiency to the cleaners

Some media have been outraged by the decision of the EU’s Ecodesign programme to set minimum energy efficiency requirements for vacuum cleaners. This has meant that some of the most highly powered (but not necessarily efficient) appliances will have to be taken off the market. John Vidal tries to allay the hysteria by arguing of … Continue reading Taking energy efficiency to the cleaners →

Energy Star products and class-action legal suits

Consumers in the US are raising their concerns when they feel that products do not meet the standards under Energy Star. Matthew L. Wald writes in the New York Times about one major manufacturer that is trying to prevent class-action lawsuits. Could something like this happen in Europe? Whirlpool Wants Congress to Ban Class-Action … Continue reading Energy Star products and class-action legal suits →

If it heats up, we want to cool off

David Unger writes in the Christian Science Monitor about warming climates and rising incomes leading to a surge in cooling-related energy use, according to the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It's one of several ways global warming is set to alter global energy supply and demand. IPCC global warming report: why … Continue reading If it heats up, we want to cool off →

New energy efficiency standards in the US approved

Andrew Gaven writes in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Magazine about new standards for commercial refrigeration. The new standards replace earlier standards that had been in place since 2009. US introduces new energy efficiency standards for commercial refrigeration Updated standards will cut energy use by 30 per cent and save business $12 billion, news … Continue reading New energy efficiency standards in the US approved →