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 →

The on-going controversy over lower VAT rates in the UK to promote energy efficiency

Will Nichols of BusinessGreen writes about the problems the UK has been having to convince the European Commission of the importance of a lower VAT rate to improve energy efficiency in buildings. It becomes all the more important as the UK rolls out the Green Deal. One would think the Commission would be encouraging this … Continue reading The on-going controversy over lower VAT rates in the UK to promote energy efficiency →

Good example of improving industrial energy efficiency in Bulgaria

SeeNews in Bulgaria recently interviewed Spiros Nomikos of the Bulgarian subsidiary of Belgium's Solvay Group and Turkey's Sisecam Holding, explaining the ambitious plans they have for improving the environmental and energy performance of the company. Interview - Bulgaria's Solvay Sodi to raise spending on eco, energy efficiency projects to 23 mln euro in 2013 Bulgarian … Continue reading Good example of improving industrial energy efficiency in Bulgaria →

EBRD funding for energy efficiency and renewables

Last week, EiD published a post on a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to Russia to promote energy efficiency. It is useful to look at the extent of the EBRD’s activity in this area in recent years. Recently the EBRD announced that since 2006 they have invested €10 billion (over … Continue reading EBRD funding for energy efficiency and renewables →

New blogs to watch out for

The IEA’s Sustainable Building Centre (SBC): First the SBC wins a major global award following the creation of its on-line database, and then it starts its own blog. Readers are encouraged to follow the SBC here. Congratulations to Yamina Saheb and her team. Safe and Sustainable Buildings: Three colleagues from Rockwool International recently started a … Continue reading New blogs to watch out for →

A very targeted financial instrument – for one weekend a year

The fayobserver.com in Fayetteville, North Carolina in the United States reports that North Carolina holds a sales tax holiday on the purchases of certain energy-efficient appliances on the first full weekend of November every year. If the appliances were Energy Star-qualified, met energy-efficiency guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and were purchased during … Continue reading A very targeted financial instrument – for one weekend a year →

First leasing loan under EBRD Russian energy efficiency programme

Recognising the role played by the leasing sector in funding the acquisition of energy efficient equipment, the EBRD has provided a 400 million rouble loan (€9.94 million) to promote energy savings by the small and medium sized business clients of a Russian leasing company. The four-year loan to Russia’s BOT Lease (Eurasia) LLC, an affiliate … Continue reading First leasing loan under EBRD Russian energy efficiency programme →

Creating jobs and boosting the economy

Energy efficiency investment is one of the best ways to boost the economy, new research reveals. GreenWise provides a good review of a new study from Consumer Focus in the UK. The lessons from this, however, go well beyond the UK. Carbon taxes could boost economy and lower energy bills Investing money raised through … Continue reading Creating jobs and boosting the economy →

Re-thinking energy efficiency strategies

James Murray has an excellent blog in Green Business. While the example is about the UK, there are lessons for all of Europe. Murray raises the issue of why politicians are so reluctant to support standards-based policies such as minimum energy performance standards and labelling. Unfortunately, he does not mention that most of those standards … Continue reading Re-thinking energy efficiency strategies →