Category: climate change

Employment impacts from retrofitting Poland’s buildings

Central European University in Budapest has just published Employment Impacts of a Large-Scale Deep Building Energy Retrofit Programme in Poland.  The report was funded by the European Climate Foundation. The research demonstrates that up to 84% of energy used to heat Polish buildings, and corresponding CO 2 emissions – can be avoided by a wide-spread … Continue reading Employment impacts from retrofitting Poland’s buildings →

Achim Steiner: head of UN Environment Programme

Michael McCarthy of the Independent newspaper from the UK has provided an excellent article on Achim Steiner.  In the lead up to Rio+20, this is excellent background information on one of the leading figures in the preparation of the summit for all EiD readers.   Achim Steiner: 'We haven't even begun to understand the damage … Continue reading Achim Steiner: head of UN Environment Programme →

What’s a carbon footprint and how is it worked out?

This is a useful description of a carbon footprint written by Duncan Clark a consultant editor for The Guardian on April 4th. What's a carbon footprint and how is it worked out? A carbon footprint is an estimate of the climate change impact of activity – such as making a product, living a lifestyle or … Continue reading What’s a carbon footprint and how is it worked out? →

Russian steps . . .

Rod Janssen of EiD has worked in many regions of Russia and can testify to the problems with improving energy use in the country.  This is an excellent article from Reuter’s on many of the issues facing Russia.   Reluctant Russia wakes up to energy waste by Jennifer Rankin MOSCOW, March 20 (Reuters) - The … Continue reading Russian steps . . . →

IEA unveils new initiatives on sustainable energy policies and technologies in the buildings sector

Cutting back on the amount of energy consumed in buildings all over the world will represent a significant step forward in efforts to strengthen energy security and combat climate change, International Energy Agency Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven said as she announced new IEA initiatives on sustainable energy policies and technologies in the buildings … Continue reading IEA unveils new initiatives on sustainable energy policies and technologies in the buildings sector →

More interesting reading . . .

Two new reports from the OECD and the UK government should definitely be on EiD readers’ bookshelves. From the OECD The OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050: The Consequences of Inaction presents the latest projections of socio-economic trends over the next four decades, and their implications for four key areas of concern: climate change, biodiversity, water and health … Continue reading More interesting reading . . . →

Video-in-Demand

EiD has come across two excellent videos for EiD readers. The first is by Peter Sweatman for Eurima, the European Insulation Manufacturers, on Financing Mechanisms for Europe’s Buildings Renovations.  This is an excellent argument for an ambitious energy efficiency directive and the need for incentives for building refurbishment. The second is by the UNFCCC Executive … Continue reading Video-in-Demand →

Brussels . . . Briefly . . .

Following the vote by the European Parliament on February 28th, it is now the turn of the European Council under the Presidency of Denmark to get a common position in order to start the trialogues. For information on the co-decision process, go to the Reference Material page.   All indications show that the negotiations will start … Continue reading Brussels . . . Briefly . . . →

Interesting reading . . .

Renewable Energies in Africa:  Current Knowledge This report summarises current knowledge at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre regarding Renewable Energy in Africa. It assesses current energy consumption and the share of renewables in African states, and attempts to estimate the technical potential of available resources of solar, wind, biomass and hydropower that could be … Continue reading Interesting reading . . . →