Save these dates . . .

There are some excellent workshops/conferences coming up that you should consider: The next World Sustainable Energy Days conference will present the work and achievements of young researchers in the field of biomass and in the field of energy efficiency. It will be held as one of the conferences of the World Sustainable Energy Days 2013 from … Continue reading Save these dates . . . →

Are we thinking “deep”? New survey uncovers important findings

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) surveyed real estate and construction executives in the European Union, India, China and the USA commissioned by the Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN). 423 senior executives from the real estate and construction industries. Over half (51%) were C-level executives or above and nearly half (49%) came from organisations with more … Continue reading Are we thinking “deep”? New survey uncovers important findings →

Cost of the German transition to a non-nuclear future

Juergen Baetz of AP news service provides an important look at the costs for the phasing out of nuclear energy. The phase out is to be complete by 2022. It shows that the policy will definitely cost in the coming years, although once complete, it should ensure that Germany is on a sustainable foundation that … Continue reading Cost of the German transition to a non-nuclear future →

Energy efficiency jobs on the line

In an open letter to Energy Secretary Ed Davey, the Insulation Industry Forum, which represents 70pc of the UK’s insulation industry, warned that it is “extremely concerned about the Government’s plans for its implementation” because of the gap between the ending of the existing schemes for cavity wall and loft insulation and the Green Deal … Continue reading Energy efficiency jobs on the line →

Energy company obligations in Britain – two important papers

Energy savings obligations in the UK – a history of change: Jan Rosenow of the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford has produced a paper for a special issue of the journal Energy Policy that looks at Energy Savings Obligations in the UK. More specifically, it discusses how the policy instrument changed over time and … Continue reading Energy company obligations in Britain – two important papers →

Adding value to a home

It was reported in the Toronto Star recently that the non-profit personal finance web site GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca offers five types of renovation that add value to a home: •Investments in more efficient use of energy (60 per cent recovery rate) •New or improved kitchens and bathrooms (75-100 per cent recovery rate) •Low-cost improvements — painting, wallpaper, … Continue reading Adding value to a home →

Ireland should give priority to energy efficiency

Harry McGee of The Irish Times reported of a report that is being prepared by the National Economic and Social Council to provide analysis to inform the development of Irish climate change policy. The work was commissioned by the Minister of Environment. An interim report is out and the final report is due by the … Continue reading Ireland should give priority to energy efficiency →

IEA Sustainable Buildings Centre launches interactive database

EiD is pleased to see that the IEA Sustainable Buildings Centre has recently launched its interactive and user-friendly BEEP (Building Energy Efficiency Policies) database. The BEEP database is a global one-stop shop for building energy codes, labelling and incentive schemes implemented in the 28 IEA member countries, the BRICS countries (Brazil, China, India, Russia and South … Continue reading IEA Sustainable Buildings Centre launches interactive database →

Biking in Italy

In Italy we once had to watch out for cars and scooters but now, since the financial crisis has taken hold, bicycles are increasingly being used. In fact, according to Nick Squires of The Telegraph, more bikes were sold than cars last year. More bikes sold than cars in Italy for first time since … Continue reading Biking in Italy →

Retrofitting Spain’s hotels

EurActiv recently published a report on how Spain’s hotels are getting support from an EU-funded project to help them improve the energy performance of their buildings. Spanish hotels to get energy-efficiency revamp Spanish hoteliers can now give their buildings an energy-efficient revamp with the help of an online tool calculating their needs, costs and investment … Continue reading Retrofitting Spain’s hotels →