Efficiency isn’t always sufficient

One of the problems of focusing on energy efficiency is that as buildings or products get larger, the impact is affected. Last week EiD had a related post. This week Susan Edmunds writes on the stuff.co.nz website about another example where the gains were cancelled. What is your experience? Growing house size cancels out … Continue reading Efficiency isn’t always sufficient →

It is hard to be against a 40% energy savings target

A timely report released this week by OpenExp provides evidence that all the arguments against 40% energy savings target are irrelevant! The report entitled “Clean Energy for All Europeans – Do the Commission’s Impact Assessments Assign the Right Role to Energy Efficiency?” is based on the Commission’s modelling results included in the EED and the … Continue reading It is hard to be against a 40% energy savings target →

Worrying developments in Britain’s policies to save energy

The Energy Efficiency First theme may be a priority elsewhere, but in Britain the priority for improved energy efficiency seems to be waning. Andrew Warren, a regular contributor to EiD and chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, provides an article on recent developments in the UK that are disturbing to say the least. This … Continue reading Worrying developments in Britain’s policies to save energy →

G20 Energy Efficiency Investment Toolkit launched

The G20 is taking our sustainable development seriously. An important area is energy and in the past few years the G20 has shown leadership by, in part, approving an energy efficiency action plan. That has unleashed and expanded a range of activities. The International Partnership for Energy Efficiency (IPEEC) Secretariat oversees and coordinates the G20’s … Continue reading G20 Energy Efficiency Investment Toolkit launched →

This was the week that was

There is always excitement in the air when you go to a summit. There is something special. It was good to attend the Energy Savings Summit in Brussels organised by the Coalition for Energy Savings. It was good to see old friends and colleagues and meet new people. No doubt the energy efficiency community dealing … Continue reading This was the week that was →

Blog from Louise Sunderland – The much needed glue in a renovation strategy

Today Energy Advice Exchange published its latest briefing which highlights a range of examples of good practice in the delivery of energy advisory services across Europe. Energy advisory services (sometimes called one-stop-shops) offer consumers (building owners, managers, tenants) advice and practical assistance on a number of legal, financial, technical, practical and behavioural aspects to increase … Continue reading Blog from Louise Sunderland – The much needed glue in a renovation strategy →

Fuel efficiency improvements of new cars in Europe slowed in 2016

The European Environment Agency published data this week showing that fuel efficiency of new cars continued to improve but at a much slower pace in 2016 compared to 2015. Air pollution Transport Climate change mitigation The fuel efficiency of new cars sold in the European Union (EU) continued to improve last year but at … Continue reading Fuel efficiency improvements of new cars in Europe slowed in 2016 →

A renovation strategy for Europe?

It was in 1970 when the Beatles released The Long and Winding Road. With the onslaught of the first major oil crisis only four years later, it could be the anthem for energy policy ever since. The beginning of the road was a push to start with more insulation in our buildings in order to … Continue reading A renovation strategy for Europe? →

Example from Italy shows why more needs to be done to promote industrial energy efficiency in Europe

Audits were made mandatory to large industry in the EU’s 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive. Now the directive is under review and there have been many concerns that the Commission has proposed no new legislative changes to promote industrial energy efficiency. Silvia Zinetti, a sustainable energy expert based in California and a regular contributor to EiD, … Continue reading Example from Italy shows why more needs to be done to promote industrial energy efficiency in Europe →

The benefits of energy efficiency standards need to withstand the rush to leave the EU

Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation and a regular contributor to EiD, warns that Britain’s tabloid war on energy efficiency standards could end up costing businesses hundreds of thousands of pounds post-Brexit. This is an important message for all countries. Green Brexit: Taking back control to waste energy? According to official … Continue reading The benefits of energy efficiency standards need to withstand the rush to leave the EU →