Energy efficiency first has been a guiding principle in European climate and energy policies for many years. It considers energy efficiency as a source of energy in its own right and as a “first fuel” in planning processes and investment decisions. It has been an essential element of the energy union and the Clean energy for … Continue reading European Commission publishes recommendation and guidelines on the ‘Energy Efficiency First’ principle
Category: climate change
Lesson on contacting politicians about climate change
Seth Wynes, Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment at Concordia University in Montreal discusses in an article on The Conversation website about what works most effectively in contacting your local politician. This comes from Canada but may also apply to your country. What approach has been most effective for you? … Continue reading Lesson on contacting politicians about climate change
Can solar geoengineering help us address climate change?
The last chance to stop global warming — or a delusion of grandeur? Scientists are working on innovative ways to artificially cool the planet. Tim Schauenberg discusses three possible ideas in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Solar geoengineering: Can we cool the planet? "There is no doubt that humans are able to artificially … Continue reading Can solar geoengineering help us address climate change?
European Central Bank climate stress tests show the challenges ahead
The stress test published Wednesday compiled data gathered on more than 4 million companies worldwide and 1,600 banks in the 19-country eurozone where the ECB sets monetary policy. The broad takeaway was that an orderly and swift transition “to minimize costs and maximize benefits outweighs short-term cost of transition to zero-carbon economy over the medium … Continue reading European Central Bank climate stress tests show the challenges ahead
New analysis shows the cost of achieving carbon neutrality in Germany
Germany wants to be carbon neutral by 2045. Restructuring its economy will cost trillions. But not investing the money would cost even more. Tim Schauenberg discusses the costs in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. This is obviously an area that the incoming Chancellor will have to deal with – urgently. What climate … Continue reading New analysis shows the cost of achieving carbon neutrality in Germany
“No regrets” revisited
Energy conservation through improved efficiency has been seen as an important long-term policy tool since the first oil crises in the 1970s. The International Energy Agency (IEA) realised that improved energy efficiency could not be a short-term solution in a crisis so it ensured that energy efficiency policies took a longer-term perspective. In 1987, the … Continue reading “No regrets” revisited
What does net-zero emissions actually mean?
Amrou Awaysheh, Assistant Professor of Operations Management and Executive Director, Business Sustainability Lab at Indiana University explains in an article on The Conversation website what “net-zero” actually means and why it matters. More companies pledge ‘net-zero’ emissions to fight climate change, but what does that really mean? You’ll probably hear the term “net-zero emissions” a … Continue reading What does net-zero emissions actually mean?
World’s first crewless, fully electric cargo ship to set sail
The world’s first fully autonomous and electric cargo ship will launch on its first commercial operation in Norway later this year, which if successful could transform the highly-polluting shipping industry. Lewin Day discusses latest developments in an article on the Hackaday website. The World’s First Autonomous Electric Cargo Ship Is Due To Set Sail … Continue reading World’s first crewless, fully electric cargo ship to set sail
How solar panels provide new prospects for agriculture
Solar panels generate electricity in the fields, helping both farmers and climate protection. Gero Rueter of Deutsche Welle recently visited a German solar farm and discusses what this means for the agriculture sector. Farmers reap double benefits with solar power in fields Fabian Karthaus grew up with solar energy. "My father built the first … Continue reading How solar panels provide new prospects for agriculture
What does it take to improve the energy performance of Britain’s homes?
When I worked at the International Energy Agency in the 1980s, we were discussing how Britain had to give more attention to improving the energy performance of its building stock, given how poor quality they were overall. In 1990, the then Department of Environment even published an excellent report of a survey on “Attitudes to … Continue reading What does it take to improve the energy performance of Britain’s homes?
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 