Energy in Demand News, April 28, 2024

Economic damage from natural catastrophes is raising concern that some areas could be rendered uninsurable, according to Petra Hielkema, head of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (Eiopa), quoted in the Financial Times (behind a paywall). “The EU suffered more than €50bn in economic losses from natural catastrophes in both 2021 and 2022, according … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 28, 2024 →

With the right incentives in place by governments and the construction sector, almost all cement produced around the world could be low-carbon

In an article on The Conversation website, Jamie Goggins, Professor of Civil Engineering, College of Science and Engineering at the University of Galway discusses how green cement production is showing real promise. What are your views? Green cement production is scaling up – and it could cut the carbon footprint of construction Aside from … Continue reading With the right incentives in place by governments and the construction sector, almost all cement produced around the world could be low-carbon →

Paris Olympic Games have target to produce half the emissions of the Rio and London games

Paul Messad writes on the Euractiv website about what Paris Olympic Games organisers have done to reduce its carbon footprint. Climate friendly Paris Olympic Games focused on low carbon, repurposed construction The Paris Olympic Games have opted for low-carbon construction and the repurposing of existing facilities for its sports infrastructure. The target is to … Continue reading Paris Olympic Games have target to produce half the emissions of the Rio and London games →

“Ignore Energy Performance Certificate advice”: new Government policy?

The UK government has reversed its advice on improving the energy performance of buildings in order to increase the uptake of heat pumps. Andrew Warren writes on the Business Green website how the British Energy Efficiency Federation, of which he is Chairman, is questioning the analysis that led to the change in consumer advice. What … Continue reading “Ignore Energy Performance Certificate advice”: new Government policy? →

Sufficiency concerns: Aussie homes are getting bigger, wiping out energy efficiency gains

Kate Wingrove, PhD Candidate at the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, University of Wollongong and Emma Heffernan, Associate Professor in Architecture, University of Sydney write on The Conversation website about the trend in Australia for ever bigger homes. This has to be a concern as the country addresses climate change. What is happening in your country? … Continue reading Sufficiency concerns: Aussie homes are getting bigger, wiping out energy efficiency gains →

New BPIE report calls on multilateral donors and policymakers to apply investment criteria for a sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine

This week the Buildings Performance Institute Europe presented six investment criteria to drive a sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine’s heavily damaged built environment. The report calls on multilateral donors and the Ukrainian government to allocate funding to projects that meet ambitious energy efficiency, renewable energy, climate adaptation, and circularity criteria. The criteria is aligned to scenarios … Continue reading New BPIE report calls on multilateral donors and policymakers to apply investment criteria for a sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine →

Energy in Demand News, February 25, 2024

This weekend sees the first of three sessions of the European Citizens' Energy Efficiency Panel in Brussels with 150 European citizens discussing how energy may be used in the EU and how the energy system should change. Participants are focusing on different aspects of energy efficiency that consumers might encounter at home, in communities or … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 25, 2024 →

New development in Ottawa-Gatineau using industrial waste to keep their homes warm

Following the growing popularity of waste heating in Europe, more Canadian firms are trying to reuse energy. Emily Chung writes on the CBC News website about a new development in the Ottawa region. How industrial waste is keeping these Ottawa-area buildings warm Residents of a new development in Ottawa-Gatineau are using industrial waste to … Continue reading New development in Ottawa-Gatineau using industrial waste to keep their homes warm →

Energy in Demand News, February 18, 2024

Financing the climate and energy transition is facing ever more difficulties – as I’m sure you see in your own country. At the global level, COP26 in Glasgow approved the Just Energy Transition Partnerships, a landmark climate finance framework endorsed by world leaders as a way to fund the green transition in poorer countries. However, … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 18, 2024 →

Hemp is being touted as a building material for housing that may avoid some of the environmental, logistic and economic downsides of concrete

Proponents of hemp tout its non-toxic and mould, fire and infestation-resistant properties. Edward Helmore discusses the benefits of hemp in an article on the Guardian website. ‘It’s almost carbon-negative’: how hemp became a surprise building material Cannabis sativa, the plant of the thousand and one molecules, has a long and expansive reputation – as a folk … Continue reading Hemp is being touted as a building material for housing that may avoid some of the environmental, logistic and economic downsides of concrete →