While there may be some backpedalling by the US federal government these days, there is much going on in the states and cities. David Ribeiro, Senior Research Manager at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy writes on their website about latest developments in adopting stricter building energy codes in many US cities. US … Continue reading Stricter building energy codes are some of the biggest success stories for many US cities
Category: buildings
The Netherlands is home to one of the most sustainable industrial buildings
Michael Cowan writes on the BBC website about an industrial building in The Netherlands that is considered one of the world’s most sustainable. The building was discussed on a popular BBC programme to see what lessons Britain could learn from this development. What are your views? Is this the world's most sustainable building? Climbing … Continue reading The Netherlands is home to one of the most sustainable industrial buildings
Experts calling for all-glass skyscrapers to be banned because they are too difficult and expensive to cool
Visiting many capitals in Africa, I was always struck by the new, modern glass office buildings and wondering what their energy performance could be. One can imagine. James Tapper writes in The Guardian that experts are calling for a ban on glass skyscrapers to save energy in climate crisis. What are your views? Air … Continue reading Experts calling for all-glass skyscrapers to be banned because they are too difficult and expensive to cool
Buildings can be designed to keep the heat out and avoid air conditioning
In Europe we have gone through an incredibly hot period and there is every likelihood there will be more. Aurore Julien, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Design at the University of East London gives her views on The Conversation website about what design changes are need to cool buildings without air conditioning. How to keep … Continue reading Buildings can be designed to keep the heat out and avoid air conditioning
High percentage of rental properties in Canberra are seriously inefficient
One Canberra resident said: "I think having minimum standards would go a long way in ensuring a better quality of life for renters." There is growing concern – and growing understanding – about the impact of poor energy performing rental housing. Cassandra Morgan explains in an article on the Canberra Times website. More than … Continue reading High percentage of rental properties in Canberra are seriously inefficient
Timber skyscrapers getting a boost in Canada
British Columbia has doubled height limits allowed for timber towers – and countries around the world are following suit. Vancouver is planning for a 40-storey tower that would be the world’s tallest wooden building. Leyland Cecco explains latest developments in an article in The Guardian. Canadian cities take wooden skyscrapers to new heights British … Continue reading Timber skyscrapers getting a boost in Canada
Skyscrapers are major emitters of GHG emissions
There are many studies that show the potential for existing buildings to reduce GHG emissions and we know what their overall impact on emissions is. It is good to see an article in The Times by Louisa Clarence-Smith about the impact of some of Britain’s best-known skyscrapers. CO2 challenge that towers over tall buildings Six … Continue reading Skyscrapers are major emitters of GHG emissions
Understanding the real energy revolution in our homes
Darren Miller, chief executive officer of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, explains about the next energy revolution that is happening quietly in our homes in an article on the Renew Economy website. The real energy revolution is happening in our homes The next energy revolution is already happening quietly in our homes. If we … Continue reading Understanding the real energy revolution in our homes
Blog from Catrin Maby – Minimum energy efficiency standards for homes now? Time is running out…
The urgency of action on climate change seems at last to be widely accepted – and we know we have to take radical action now, and consistently into the future. One of the many challenges we face is decarbonising the housing stock: while new homes can and must be built to much higher energy and … Continue reading Blog from Catrin Maby – Minimum energy efficiency standards for homes now? Time is running out…
New ideas on new and improved low-energy ways to cool buildings
It is always good to be introduced to new ideas. Some work, some don’t. Bagus Putra Muljadi, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nottingham wants us to mimic termite nests as a way to cool buildings without using more energy. This article comes from The Conversation website. Let’s mimic … Continue reading New ideas on new and improved low-energy ways to cool buildings
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 