New survey on the state of implementation of energy efficiency policies in the EU

Energy Efficiency Watch 2 has recently published an extensive survey on the progress of energy efficiency policies and their implementation of national energy efficiency policies. More than 700 experts from all 27 Member States contributed to the survey between April 2011 and September 2012. More information on the survey is available here. You can download … Continue reading New survey on the state of implementation of energy efficiency policies in the EU →

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 →

Ecodesign Working Document 2012-2014 now available

According to Article 16(1) of the Ecodesign Directive, the Commission adopted on 7 December 2012 a Working Plan for the period 2012-2014, setting out an indicative list of energy-using products which will be considered in priority for the adoption of implementing measures. The Working Document is available here.

New energy efficiency fund targeting business

James Murray for BusinessGreen describes a new corporate energy efficiency fund in the UK. The bank is drawing on government’s Funding for Lending scheme to offer competitive loans to help businesses deliver energy efficiency improvements. RBS launches £200m corporate energy efficiency fund Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) will today launch a £200m (€246m) Carbon Reduction … Continue reading New energy efficiency fund targeting business →

Everyone knew there would be costs involved to meet energy goals but . . .

Conor Keane, Business Editor of the Irish Examiner reports on the estimated costs for Ireland to meet its legal obligations under EU Directives Meeting energy goals to cost €23bn Ireland needs to invest €22.8bn between now and 2020 if it is to fulfil its legal obligations under EU directives on the environment and energy efficiency … Continue reading Everyone knew there would be costs involved to meet energy goals but . . . →

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 →

Turkish banks recognised for financing industrial energy efficiency and renewable energy projects

Finchannel.com from Tblisi, Georgia describes the recognition that Turkish banks have received from the EBRD for promoting energy efficiency. The EBRD has been active in getting its member countries to take an active role in energy efficiency and it appears to be paying off. EBRD celebrates excellence in financing energy efficiency in Turkey The European … Continue reading Turkish banks recognised for financing industrial energy efficiency and renewable energy projects →

Making our cities more energy efficient

Cities are getting a lot of attention globally because of their high energy consumption and their potential to make significant savings. Dr. Mayarani Praharaj from the Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology, provides a detailed account of some of the issues and the initiatives underway Bhubaneswar for the Daily Pioneer in Delhi and … Continue reading Making our cities more energy efficient →

New study on attitudes on energy consumption to begin

Rachael Fergusson for Energy and Technology Magazine describes the start of an important new study on attitudes about energy consumption in the work place. Project to study attitudes to energy use at work A new £1.3m project is to examine people’s attitudes to energy consumption in the workplace. Led by researchers at the University of … Continue reading New study on attitudes on energy consumption to begin →

Municipality uses energy services company

The Republican-American newspaper in Connecticut in the United States gives us an important example of how using performance contracting has become a winning proposition. The article discusses many of the issues related to using such financing mechanisms. Improvements without bonds – Energy savings committed to pay for projects Cheshire Town leaders believe they have found … Continue reading Municipality uses energy services company →