Category: energy efficiency

Quote of the week

From Andrew Warren, Director of the Association for the Conservation of Energy, writing an article entitled The UK must look to Berlin to improve energy efficiency for businessgreen.com: . . .for many years, German governments of all political hues have run long-term, consistent and purposeful energy efficiency programmes, designed to minimise new supply requirements. An … Continue reading Quote of the week →

New report on green procurement

The European Commission’s DG Environment published a new brochure titled “Green Public Procurement: A collection of good practices”, illustrating how European local authorities successfully launched green tenders and providing guidance to those wishing to do the same. Green public procurement is highlighted as an important element in the Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) guidebook, which … Continue reading New report on green procurement →

Inside the Brussels beltway

Here are updates on some of the on-going issues in Brussels. Ecodesign For those interested in Ecodesign and products, the 2012-2014 Working Plan, which was to have been published already, is still not available. In May EiD was told that it was still in inter-service consultation and it had been hoped it would have been … Continue reading Inside the Brussels beltway →

Promoting energy efficiency to address climate change

A report by the University of East Anglia provides strong evidence that the climate change strategy requires a strong effort from improved energy efficiency. Climate Change Efforts Must Target Energy Efficiency Much more must be done to develop energy efficient cars, buildings and domestic appliances to address climate change – according to new research from … Continue reading Promoting energy efficiency to address climate change →

Two excellent energy efficiency papers

The journal Energy Policy provides two excellent energy efficiency papers on the impact of energy labels and the possible role of how feed-in tariffs can be an option to promote energy saving. The first paper, entitled The impact of energy labels and accessibility on office rents is by Nils Kok from Maastricht University and Maarten … Continue reading Two excellent energy efficiency papers →

French town signs energy performance contract

While energy issues and environmental concerns are at the heart of local government, the town of Domène - with 6700 inhabitants located near Grenoble – embarked on a programme of renovation and improvement of energy efficiency of some of its buildings.  The energy performance contract (EPC) was signed with Schneider Electric and it is the … Continue reading French town signs energy performance contract →

More on tackling fuel poverty in the UK

The Green Building Press provides this account of the impact the Green Deal could help householders who are currently considered in fuel poverty.   Green refurb at flats has far reaching benefits A study undertaken at a West London estate could provide a blueprint for taking millions of UK householders out of fuel poverty, and … Continue reading More on tackling fuel poverty in the UK →

Concerns about French plans to retrofit homes

Tara Patel of Bloomberg News writes about the controversy in France about the government’s plans to “encourage” homeowners to undertake energy efficiency actions. French plan to reduce energy bills prompts Big Brother outcry Heating a French home could soon require an income tax consultation or even a visit to the doctor under legislation to force … Continue reading Concerns about French plans to retrofit homes →