Energy in Demand News, January 28, 2024

There is encouraging good news that carbon emissions dropped in the EU in 2023. The Guardian reported on analysis from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea) showing that the EU “pumped out 8% less carbon dioxide from the fossil fuels it burned in 2023 than it did in 2022.”  Crea analyst … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, January 28, 2024

Gone are the days when UK government pledged to be the most energy-efficient nation in Europe

When Prime Minister, the present Foreign Secretary, Lord David Cameron pledged to make Britain the most energy-efficient nation in Europe. In the January issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry, Andrew Warren, Chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, says the current Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, should heed Lord Cameron’s words. This is an important … Continue reading Gone are the days when UK government pledged to be the most energy-efficient nation in Europe

Ground-breaking retrofit approach, Energiesprong, wins prestigious global award

In Europe, plummeting temperatures pose challenges for those in inefficient buildings, especially vulnerable individuals struggling to heat homes. A revolutionary approach to renovating homes has won the prestigious Gold World Habitat Award. Details are available on the EC CINEA website.   Energiesprong wins prestigious Gold World Habitat Award Buildings are the single largest energy consumer … Continue reading Ground-breaking retrofit approach, Energiesprong, wins prestigious global award

Energy in Demand News, January 14, 2024

EiD welcomes that the IEA published Renewables 2023 this week.  It is encouraging to see that the world  added 50% more renewable capacity in 2023 than in 2022 and next 5 years will see fastest growth yet. The IEA says that the world’s capacity to generate renewable electricity is expanding faster than at any time … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, January 14, 2024

Florida community reaches LEED Zero

In an article on the Washington Post website, Nicolás Rivero discusses the world’s first LEED Zero Energy certified residential development in Hunter’s Point, Florida where every house produces more electricity than it uses.   Why people don’t have to pay anything for electricity in this Florida community In this Florida development, no one pays an … Continue reading Florida community reaches LEED Zero

Reaction to the European Council and Parliament reaching a deal on the proposal to revise the energy performance of buildings directive

The European Council and the  European Parliament this week reached provisional political agreement on a proposal to revise the energy performance of buildings directive. The revised directive sets new and more ambitious energy performance requirements for new and renovated buildings in the EU and encourages member states to renovate their building stock. Under the deal, … Continue reading Reaction to the European Council and Parliament reaching a deal on the proposal to revise the energy performance of buildings directive

New publication – EU Buildings Climate Tracker: A call for faster and bolder action

Buildings represent a significant potential for GHG emissions mitigation and the EU has many policies in place to help promote the improved energy performance of buildings. The policy foundation is the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive that is currently being revised. In fact the next negotiations (the trialogue) between the European Council, European Parliament and … Continue reading New publication – EU Buildings Climate Tracker: A call for faster and bolder action

Emerging markets will need $1.5 trillion in investment before 2035 to make new and existing buildings environmentally friendly and avoid a jump in climate-damaging emissions

Tommy Wilkes and Simon Jessop write on the Reuter’s website that emerging markets will need $1.5 trillion in investment before 2035 to avoid a jump in climate-damaging emissions. China alone would need $1.33 trillion. The funds would be used for investments in electrification of older inefficient buildings with cleaner energy, and the construction of energy-efficient … Continue reading Emerging markets will need $1.5 trillion in investment before 2035 to make new and existing buildings environmentally friendly and avoid a jump in climate-damaging emissions

The benefits of sustainable housing

Andréanne Doyon, Assistant professor, School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University and Trivess Moore, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management at RMIT University provide a very good review in an article on The Conversation website about the range of benefits of sustainable housing.   How sustainable, liveable and resilient housing … Continue reading The benefits of sustainable housing

Why you should be doing an energy renovation of your home

Teresa Siqueira writes on the Porch website about the many benefits from renovating your home. Porch sprang to life in 2013 to tackle the age-old problem of connecting homeowners with high-quality home improvement professionals. While it is based in Seattle, there are lessons for all of us.   Renovation Strategies for Long-Term Value: Investments That … Continue reading Why you should be doing an energy renovation of your home