Australia’s new car carbon market is already reshaping the auto industry

In an article on The Conversation website, Hussein Dia, Professor of Transport Technology and Sustainability, Swinburne University of Technology discusses how the new fuel efficiency scheme in Australia has created a new, tradeable carbon currency applying just to cars and light commercial vehicles in just seven months. How Australia’s new fuel efficiency scheme quietly … Continue reading Australia’s new car carbon market is already reshaping the auto industry →

Energy in Demand News, March 1-2, 2026

The New York Times reports that a North Dakota judge has approved a $345 million verdict against Greenpeace in a suit over its protests against a pipeline. “Greenpeace has said the verdict could bankrupt it. The lawsuit was over the group’s role in protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. . . . The verdict was … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 1-2, 2026 →

Energy in Demand News, February 22-23, 2026

In the rush to expand the use of coal in the US, the Financial Times reports that this week the US Environmental Protection Agency “rolled back strict controls imposed by former president Joe Biden’s administration on the volume of toxins that coal and oil-fired power plants can release into the atmosphere. The Trump administration has … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 22-23, 2026 →

Reflections on the IEA Ministerial

This past week on February 18 and 19, the 32 members of the International Energy Agency met for its bi-annual ministerial. Altogether 58 countries participated and there were over 40 at the ministerial level. There were also executives from more than 50 major energy companies including at least five that focus on energy efficiency technologies. … Continue reading Reflections on the IEA Ministerial →

Energy in Demand News, February 15-16, 2026

When it comes to climate and energy policies, we shouldn’t be shocked by any news coming out of Washington these days. But no doubt there is collective shock that the Trump administration has repealed the US government’s power to regulate climate change. Nearly 17 years after the Environmental Protection Agency declared that carbon dioxide and … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 15-16, 2026 →

Electric motors in Europe: a no brainer for accelerating replacement

When one hears that one technology uses about 70% of a factory’s electricity consumption and that about half of those deployed are over 10 years old with a quarter over 20 years, one wonders why the market to replace them is sluggish at best. Yes, it is time for a shake-up. The technology under discussion … Continue reading Electric motors in Europe: a no brainer for accelerating replacement →

Taking stock of energy efficiency measures under Trump

Alexa St. John from Associated Press writes on the Globe and Mail website, taking stock of what the Trump administration has done to energy efficiency measures in the US. The consumer-friendly Energy Star program survived Trump. What about other efficiency efforts? Energy Star, the program that helps guide consumers to more energy-efficient appliances and … Continue reading Taking stock of energy efficiency measures under Trump →

European Investment Bank’s energy efficiency for SMEs initiative is on track to surpass its targets

The Energy Efficiency for SMEs initiative – the first European Union-wide programme dedicated to accelerating energy savings in small and medium‑sized enterprises – is on track to surpass its targets following a successful first year of operation. The initiative delivered €6 billion in financing in 2025, enabling up to 150,000 SMEs across Europe to invest in … Continue reading European Investment Bank’s energy efficiency for SMEs initiative is on track to surpass its targets →

Energy in Demand News, February 8-9, 2026

There is mixed news on climate-related philanthropy this week. Michael Bloomberg’s donations on climate action have topped $3 billion over a decade, “including a recent boost to contributions to the UN’s climate body, as broader financial support slides in the Trump era,” reports the Financial Times. “The 83-year-old pledged nearly $270mn to two climate initiatives … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 8-9, 2026 →

Reflections on an industrial energy efficiency conference this week

The European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (eceee) held a three-day conference this past week in Rome. The gathering brought together about 150 experts from various technical and non-technical fields related to industry. Timing was perfect because industry is at a crossroads with increased concerns about costs and competition not to mention long-term climate … Continue reading Reflections on an industrial energy efficiency conference this week →