Global monitoring shows Australia backtracking on climate change legislation

It is amazing how quickly a country can change its policies on climate change. With elections only in 2013, the reversals in climate change policies are already evident and having an impact. Pilita Clark writes an important article in the Financial Times on an assessment by Globe International. The results show that, while Australia is … Continue reading Global monitoring shows Australia backtracking on climate change legislation →

Who would think a wartime bunker could be transformed into a green energy power plant

The German energy transition takes many interesting twists. A military bunker in Hamburg has been transformed to provide heat for 3000 homes and electricity for a thousand. Plus, it includes a visitor centre and a war memorial. The project is described by Diarmaid Williams for the Cogeneration & On-site Power Production website. Hamburg Energie … Continue reading Who would think a wartime bunker could be transformed into a green energy power plant →

Dealing with uncertainty has its drawbacks

Uncertainty can be a constant headache writes Adam Corner for Guardian Professional as spreading uncertainties by sceptics has a direct impact on policies and future action. As Mr. Corner writes, uncertainty – real or manufactured – is a well-rehearsed reason for inaction. How uncertainty is communicated is fundamental and the human aspect cannot be overlooked … Continue reading Dealing with uncertainty has its drawbacks →

Showing urban leadership – part 2

Continuing on an urban theme, there was a recent survey of 300 cities on energy efficiency and technologies that provides very interesting evidence on investments in energy-efficient technologies. This article comes from the Buildings.com website. Separately, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has a new role as U.N. envoy on cities and climate change. … Continue reading Showing urban leadership – part 2 →

Understanding climate deniers

David Robert Grimes of Oxford University has written an excellent article in The Guardian about what really motivates deniers. As Grimes writes, true sceptics test a hypothesis against the evidence, but climate sceptics refuse to accept anything that contradicts their beliefs. Denying climate change isn't scepticism – it's 'motivated reasoning' The grim findings of the … Continue reading Understanding climate deniers →

Nicholas Stern answers . . .

For last week’s World Energy Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, Nicholas Stern, the economist and academic and author of the Stern Report on the economics of climate change, was asked several questions related to energy and climate policy by the UK’s Independent. The Big Questions: Is fracking the answer to the UK’s energy needs? … Continue reading Nicholas Stern answers . . . →

Quotes of the week

In his eceee column reacting to the Commission’s 2030 climate and energy policy framework, presented on January 22nd, Hans Nilsson provides us with a quote within a quote: . . . it is worth being reminded of the words of the Danish professor Noergaard when he said that “it might not be cost-effective to save … Continue reading Quotes of the week →

The European Commission in the news

This week, the European Commission presented its long-expected 2030 climate and energy policy framework, whereby there will be a binding target for GHG emissions, a modest binding EU (but not at the member state level) target for renewable energy and, once again, a non-binding target for energy savings. The purpose behind the policy framework is … Continue reading The European Commission in the news →

Providing incentives to employees who reduce their carbon footprint

Jennifer Paterson writes in employeebenefits.com about the programme that Swiss Re, one of the world’s leading reinsurance companies, has to promote energy efficiency amongst its staff. EiD thinks a lot of other companies should be paying attention to this. Swiss Re extends incentives for energy efficiency Swiss Re has extended its financial support for employees … Continue reading Providing incentives to employees who reduce their carbon footprint →

Canada in a league of its own in addressing climate change

Canada is determined to go on its own and has now admitted that the priority is fossil fuel development and not emissions reduction. Stephen Leahy writes in the Guardian that Canada has reported to the UN that GHG emissions will increase significantly by 2030. It should be noted that the Guardian also reports this week … Continue reading Canada in a league of its own in addressing climate change →