How climate change could upend the American dream

Americans have long accumulated wealth by owning their homes, but a new study predicts that spiking insurance rates and climate disasters now herald an era of widespread losses. Andrea Riquier discusses the new study in an article on the USA TODAY website Climate risk will take trillion-dollar bite out of America’s real estate As … Continue reading How climate change could upend the American dream →

Energy in Demand News, January 12, 2025

The devastation from the wildfires in the Los Angeles area is a human tragedy beyond belief. It only adds to those who are suffering globally from droughts, floods and other climate-related disasters. An article on the Financial Times (behind a paywall) counts the cost from catastrophes in 2024. “Hurricanes, fires and other disasters caused $320bn … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, January 12, 2025 →

Update on Scotland’s green ambitions

The Energy Saving Trust has recently published its report on progress in Scotland entitled “Supporting Scotland’s Green Ambitions: December 2024 report.” The Energy Saving Trust receives many enquiries about how the programmes it delivers on behalf of the Scottish Government work and what changes they deliver on the ground. These are from both organisations seeking … Continue reading Update on Scotland’s green ambitions →

Over the past year, over 60% of all homes sold, let, or constructed in England and Wales achieved an EPC rating of C or above

Research from epIMS, the energy performance and compliance platform tailored for landlords, reveals a growing emphasis on energy efficiency in the property market. Eve Tawfick discusses the findings in an article on the Today’s Conveyancer website. What is the situation in your country? Energy Efficiency on the Rise: 60% of Homes Sold, Let, or … Continue reading Over the past year, over 60% of all homes sold, let, or constructed in England and Wales achieved an EPC rating of C or above →

Energy in Demand News, December 22, 2024

The biodiversity hit to economies is estimated at up to US$25 trillion a year, according to The Financial Times (behind a paywall). This is equivalent to one-quarter of global GDP lost annually because industries fail to factor in the damage their operations cause across systems. “Tackling biodiversity loss, climate change, water scarcity, food insecurity and … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, December 22, 2024 →

Time to recognise ‘earth’ as a valid and sustainable construction material

In an article on The Conversation website, Rabia Charef, Senior Research Associate in Circular Economy & Digitalisation, Lancaster University about the benefits of using ‘earth’ as a sustainable building material. What are your views? Building with earth could transform sustainable construction – here’s how Imagine you are standing in front of a multimillion-pound building … Continue reading Time to recognise ‘earth’ as a valid and sustainable construction material →

Energy in Demand News, December 15, 2024

BP and Shell are scaling back electricity ambitions to escape the ‘valley of death,’ according to the Financial Times website (behind a paywall). Over the past five years, the two companies had spent a combined US$18 billion to be major players in electricity. But now Shell has sold its retail electricity business in Germany, the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, December 15, 2024 →

One major bank in UK will factor in energy performance certificate ratings when deciding how much to lend to borrowers from this week

Emily Braeger writes on the iNews website about a change in lending policy from one of the major lenders in Britain. Those buying the most energy-efficient homes will be able to borrow slightly more than they would if their home had an average rating. Halifax also says those buying the least efficient properties will be … Continue reading One major bank in UK will factor in energy performance certificate ratings when deciding how much to lend to borrowers from this week →

US support for backing outstanding mortgages giving only vague guidance on climate-related catastrophe

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which backstop most U.S. mortgages, know floods and fires are a growing problem. But little action has been taken. Lydia DePillis discusses this growing issue in the US. One wonders how the new administration will deal with this issue? Mortgage Regulators Are Shrugging Off Climate Risk. It Could Cost … Continue reading US support for backing outstanding mortgages giving only vague guidance on climate-related catastrophe →

Energy in Demand News, December 1, 2024

The New York Times (behind a paywall) wrote: “Five dry words — ‘transitioning away from fossil fuels’ — led to a bitter diplomatic spat Tuesday. . . . A handful of petrostates, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, ensured that a United Nations General Assembly resolution on climate change steered clear of such language, despite … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, December 1, 2024 →