New report shows gaps in gaps in EU Energy Efficiency Directive renovation strategies

This year, the European Commission will be providing its recommendations for changes in the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive following a recent consultation. One of the important articles concerns Member States obligation to prepare long-term renovation strategies. The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission recently published an analysis about the Member States renovation strategies as … Continue reading New report shows gaps in gaps in EU Energy Efficiency Directive renovation strategies →

The European Commission publishes its new heat and cooling strategy communication

On February 16th, the Commission published its new strategy for heat and cooling in its series of initiatives as part of the Energy Union. This is a most welcome communication. The press release is provided below. In reading the strategy, EiD was a bit puzzled by a few of the elements. Page 4 provided a … Continue reading The European Commission publishes its new heat and cooling strategy communication →

A perspective on how non-residential building design will change over the next 10 years

The American Institute of Architects is a well known and well appreciated institution. Kim Slowey writes on the Construction Dive website about some of the AIA’s views on top non-residential design trends. AIA's top nonresidential design trends: Sustainability, project efficiency, new technologies Dive Brief: The American Institute of Architects surveyed leading architects to find … Continue reading A perspective on how non-residential building design will change over the next 10 years →

This week’s briefs

There are some good news items this week. They concern the upcoming World Sustainable Energy Days, the Central and Eastern European Energy Efficiency Forum and the nomination of Energy Pages for an important award in Germany. • World Sustainable Energy Days coming soon The World Sustainable Energy Days, one of the largest annual conferences … Continue reading This week’s briefs →

Appreciating the benefits of green buildings

The World Green Building Council has recently published new research suggesting greener shops can boost customer experience – and grow the bottom line. Madeleine Cuff explains the results in an article on the BusinessGreen website. How retailers can harness green buildings to boost profits Shopping can be a miserable experience. Dragging handfuls of heavy … Continue reading Appreciating the benefits of green buildings →

Energy efficiency in Scotland’s commercial buildings sector gets a boost

The Out-Law website provides details on how Scotland is addressing energy efficiency in its commercial buildings sector. It is good to see how Scotland is addressing its responsibilities in meeting EU directives. Scottish Government to proceed with separate energy efficiency improvement rules for commercial buildings Regulations requiring the owners of non-domestic property in Scotland … Continue reading Energy efficiency in Scotland’s commercial buildings sector gets a boost →

Asians take initiative to build low energy homes in Britain

With energy and climate policies and programmes in the UK in a state of flux these days, it is encouraging to see how Asian technical and financial experts are teaming up with Spanish experts to build low energy homes in Britain. Asians are planning to invest in new nuclear power supply in Britain. It is … Continue reading Asians take initiative to build low energy homes in Britain →

Important new report on residential sector energy performance

Michael MacDonald from the Energy Performance Measurement Institute has recently published a new report on-line on residential sector energy performance. As he states in the foreword, “This book is aimed at informing people about energy use in the residential sector worldwide and what can be done to make politicians and others more accountable for improving … Continue reading Important new report on residential sector energy performance →

The effects of “cool roofs”

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has recently published a study to show the benefits of cool roofs during heat waves in China. The benefits are quite impressive. Cool Roofs in China Offer Enhanced Benefits During Heat Waves It is well established that white roofs can help mitigate the urban heat island effect, reflecting the … Continue reading The effects of “cool roofs” →

At Paris climate conference, financing the improvement in buildings has become a particular focus

Buildings are responsible for over 30% of our greenhouse gas emissions, according to many analysts. Thus, it makes sense to address how their energy performance can be improved. Panama Bartholomy, director of the EDF Investor Confidence Project Europe, writes on the Greentech Media website that more than 100 banks managing a total of $4 trillion in … Continue reading At Paris climate conference, financing the improvement in buildings has become a particular focus →