Shock at new targets for building codes in Wales

The BBC news website published a report on the recent decision of the Welsh government to drastically reduce the level of ambition in the planned new building codes. Let us hope this doesn't happen in other regions and countries in Europe. Drastic reduction in new home energy efficiency targets Energy efficiency targets for all new … Continue reading Shock at new targets for building codes in Wales →

‘Fuel poverty’ policy changes in the UK

Steve Hawkes writes in The Telegraph about the change in definition of fuel poverty that will remove up to one million people from being considered fuel poor. Is this a good move or not? Campaigners certainly do not think so. Government takes 1m out of fuel poverty - by changing the rules Campaigners criticised … Continue reading ‘Fuel poverty’ policy changes in the UK →

Champagne’s energy efficiency moment

Camille Chandès writes in L’Usine Nouvelle about the efforts of Moët-Hennessy Champagne to improve its energy efficiency. The company felt it was quite a challenge because of the age-old techniques they have used to produce one of the world’s most famous champagnes. What is good to see is that all new investments now require an … Continue reading Champagne’s energy efficiency moment →

It can be an entirely new ball game with energy efficiency

Batter up? Major league baseball may have its world series, even though it only includes two countries at most, but sometimes there can be lessons learned around the world. Who would have thought it would be related to energy efficiency though. Brad Harkavy of Sagewell emphasises the importance of deploying resources wisely. Well, it is … Continue reading It can be an entirely new ball game with energy efficiency →

Energy efficient lighting can make a big difference in Africa too

Sometimes we forget how important energy efficiency is in Africa. Only last week I had someone from the Democratic Republic of the Congo asking me if I knew of any support available for him to do some analysis on energy efficiency in his country. Sadly we think of adaptation projects in Africa because we have … Continue reading Energy efficient lighting can make a big difference in Africa too →

Australia promotes energy efficiency in apartments

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group has announced a new innovative programme in Australia called Smart Blocks in Australia help improve the energy performance of apartment buildings. New national program aims to enhance energy efficiency of Australian apartment buildings This month, an innovative new program, Smart Blocks, was launched in two Australian C40 cities, Melbourne … Continue reading Australia promotes energy efficiency in apartments →

New report: Buildings for our Future

The Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN) based in Paris has just released a new report that sets the scene why buildings should play a bigger role in energy and climate change policies. The report, entitled Buildings for our Future – The Deep Path for Closing the Emissions Gap in the Buildings Sector, shows that there … Continue reading New report: Buildings for our Future →

Ukraine’s steel industry forced to change

Roman Olearchyk writes in the Financial Times about the changes underway in Ukraine’s large steel industry as a result of the economic crisis and increasing fuel prices. The steel industry globally has been having problems and it is important to see how the Ukraine is dealing with the dynamics of the market. Ukraine steel … Continue reading Ukraine’s steel industry forced to change →

UK struggling to reduce carbon emissions

Roger Harrabin writes on the BBC website about warnings that the UK will not meet its climate change targets. This is somewhat surprising given that the UK showed such confidence that achieving the climate change targets were not in doubt. UK given carbon emissions warning The UK is not on track to hit its … Continue reading UK struggling to reduce carbon emissions →

Paying to save through your property tax

We cannot hear enough about innovative ways to finance sustainable energy. Diane Cardwell writes in the New York Times about paying for sustainable energy investments through property taxes in the US. Tax Programs to Finance Clean Energy Catch On Over the years, as Rick Murphy helped expand his family’s auto business in Edina, Minn., … Continue reading Paying to save through your property tax →