No time to delay

Richard Chirgwin writes in The Register about a new study by IIASA in Austria about the significant cost increase if there are delays in mitigating GHG emissions. Delay climate mitigation, escalate the costs: study Costs would escalate five-fold in next seven years Which would hurt less: a global carbon price of $US20 now, or … Continue reading No time to delay →

2012 – the year in graphs

The Washington Post asked many experts for the graph that they felt best explained 2012. Two of the graphs relate to sustainable energy. First, the nominee related to climate change was Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org. The second graph is by Michael Greenstone, professor of economics at MIT and Director of the Hamilton Project. It … Continue reading 2012 – the year in graphs →

Positive impact from home air conditioning

Juliet Eilperin recently wrote in the Washington Post about a new study that has analysed the impact of deploying air conditioning on a wide scale to reduce deaths from excessive heat. While this is interesting indeed, it does not mention that maybe houses should be better built to integrate passive heating and cooling in order … Continue reading Positive impact from home air conditioning →

Quote of the week

Tim Yeo, MP, Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee in the British Parliament, in reacting to the government’s pro-gas stance: "Lumbering the UK economy with a centralized power system largely reliant on gas, would be like running an office using a fax machine in the age of the iPad," he said. Mr. … Continue reading Quote of the week →

Reviewing environmental taxes

Martin Baxter, Executive Director for policy at the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment wrote this blog for Sustainable Business in the Guardian. While it is about issues in Britain, it has relevance to all countries. Environmental taxes need review to stay relevant When environmental taxes change business behaviour, revenues will fall – something the … Continue reading Reviewing environmental taxes →

Now the insurance industry is starting to take climate change seriously

Kenneth Weiss of the Los Angeles Times writes about a new study undertaken by Evan Mills of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Evan has just written a column on the subject for eceee and this article complements that column well. Climate change taken seriously by insurance industry, study says Paying out billions of dollars here and … Continue reading Now the insurance industry is starting to take climate change seriously →

bigEE launched

bigEE has now been launched. bigEE is an international initiative of research institutes for technical and policy advice and public agencies in the field of energy and climate, co-ordinated by the Wuppertal Institute (Germany). Its aim is to develop the international web-based knowledge platform bigee.net for energy efficiency in buildings, building-related technologies, and appliances in … Continue reading bigEE launched →

New study on progress to lower carbon emissions in passenger cars in Europe

John Reed, Motor Industry Correspondent of the Financial Times reports on a study by a leading environmental pressure group on the progress being made to lower CO2 emissions in passenger vehicles. Carmakers ‘on track with EU carbon goals’ Carmakers are close to complying with the 2015 carbon dioxide targets set by the European Union, and … Continue reading New study on progress to lower carbon emissions in passenger cars in Europe →

Fossil fuel freedom in Manitoba

The Gallon Environment Letter states that Manitoba is adopting a Clean Energy Strategy announced November 20, 2012 by Innovation, Energy and Mines Minister Dave Chomiak who said, "Building on our strengths, this new plan sets the province on a course that will ensure reliable, affordable energy for future generations, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and maximize local … Continue reading Fossil fuel freedom in Manitoba →

The launch of the Green Investment Bank in the UK

The UK has set up the world’s first investment bank solely dedicated to greening the economy. The initiative is part of the Government’s commitment to setting the UK firmly on course towards a green and growing economy, while also delivering long-term sustainable growth. The Green Investment Bank (GIB) will be a key component of the progression … Continue reading The launch of the Green Investment Bank in the UK →