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
Category: energy efficiency
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
Did you know?
The flat glass industry has a big role to play in energy and climate strategies. Glass for Europe has just come out with a new report, Europe’s flat glass industry in a competitive low carbon economy. The report refers to an important study published in 2011: 85% of the glazed surfaces in Europe’s buildings contain … Continue reading Did you know?
What the IEA’s World Energy Outlook says about energy efficiency
This week, the International Energy Agency published its 2012 version of its World Energy Outlook. There was considerable attention given to energy efficiency. It is instructive to read some excerpts on energy efficiency from the executive summary. Our Efficient World Scenario shows how tackling the barriers to energy efficiency investment can unleash this potential and … Continue reading What the IEA’s World Energy Outlook says about energy efficiency
Comments in the Independent newspaper on November 12th from newspaper reader to complaints about planned fuel price rise in the UK
These are very good comments by a Mr. Fox in the Independent. "If fuel costs were really too high then you would expect there to have been a change in driver behaviour to reflect that fact. But most drivers still appear to exceed statutory speed limits on motorways or drive close to them; many overtake … Continue reading Comments in the Independent newspaper on November 12th from newspaper reader to complaints about planned fuel price rise in the UK
Comments by experts on the energy performance of Russian buildings
The Moscow News recently asked two experts, Sergei Choban and Konstantin Kovalyovabout their views of the state of Russian buildings. Sergei Choban ismanaging partner of the architecture studio SPEECH Choban and Kuznetsov and Konstantin Kovalyov ismanaging partner of the real estate firm Blackwood and vice president of the Russian Union of Engineers. The Moscow News … Continue reading Comments by experts on the energy performance of Russian buildings
Reaction to use of LED lighting for streetlights
Kale Roberts reports in Mother Earth News on a recent survey taken of the reaction to the use of LED lighting in US cities. Energy Efficient LED Lighting Hits the Streets: 95 Percent of Cities Satisfied There are more than 50 million streetlights in the United States. From parking lots to park trails to bridges, … Continue reading Reaction to use of LED lighting for streetlights
Energy Efficiency Directive finally out
The Official Journal of the EU finally published the Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU. Download it here.
Did you know?
There is some good news announced in the past few days: Congratulations to the IEA’s Sustainable Building Centre (SBC). The jury for the 2012 Energy Efficiency Innovator Awards has selected the International Energy Agency’s BEEP (Building Energy Efficiency Policies) database as the winner in its “Projects” category. Dr. Yamina Saheb received the award at a … Continue reading Did you know?
Taking a test drive
The BPIE buildings data hub was launched this week. Having had a small role to play in the data gathering, I was interested to see the results and so spent some time checking it out. The portal lived up to expectations. Users can access country profiles, search specific parameters, generate overviews and graphs as well … Continue reading Taking a test drive
