Energy policy review of Morocco

The IEA recently published its country review of the energy policies of Morocco. It is the first such review that the IEA has done for any African country. Morocco’s energy strategy is very much on target, with notable advances in wind and solar power and on fuel subsidy reform, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says … Continue reading Energy policy review of Morocco →

Backyard energy plants

Paul Hockenos writes a very good article in Foreign Policy about the green energy revolution taking place in Germany’s backyards. Undoubtedly, this is an important part of Germany’s energy transition. As Hockenos states Germany is increasingly powered by backyard windmills and locally owned solar panels. And he goes on that this complex, patchwork system just … Continue reading Backyard energy plants →

European Environment Agency assesses how EU meeting 2020 climate and energy targets

The European Environment Agency recently published a set of documents assessing the EU’s progress in meeting 2020 climate and energy targets Policies put the EU on track to meet its 2020 climate and energy targets but bigger push needed for 2030 European Union (EU) greenhouse gas emissions fell almost 2 % between 2012 and … Continue reading European Environment Agency assesses how EU meeting 2020 climate and energy targets →

Comparing the US to Germany’s energy transition

Umair Irfan writes an interesting article in E&E Publishing that looks at Germany’s energy transition in comparison to what is happening in the US. Because of different consumption patterns, despite a vast gulf in energy prices, households in both Germany and the United States spend a comparable amount on electricity. It is good to see … Continue reading Comparing the US to Germany’s energy transition →

No sign of reducing our dependence on fossil fuels

Henry Foy writes in the Financial Times about the factors that will lead us to continue or dependence on fossil fuels. Does anyone have a comment? Hopefully, the new overall 2030 target for GHG emissions will have more of an impact than the two energy targets will. Several factors conspire to increase fossil fuel … Continue reading No sign of reducing our dependence on fossil fuels →

Call for putting low-income households at the heart of Europe’s future policy

While an EU energy efficiency target has been set for 2030, this only means that the work must really start now. While this was written before the Summit that set the target, Simon Read provides an important article in The Independent about the “growing energy divide.” We certainly have a chance to address that. … Continue reading Call for putting low-income households at the heart of Europe’s future policy →

Dissecting Germany’s energy policy

Germany’s plan for a major energy transition, including phasing out nuclear power, came under the scrutiny of the Financial Times this week. The FT sees Merkel’s decision to eliminate nuclear power as a huge mistake. But the argument is deeply flawed because the FT makes no reference to Germany’s comprehensive plans to reduce energy demand … Continue reading Dissecting Germany’s energy policy →

Siemens remains committed to fossil fuels

The German manufacturer Siemens is a global leader in many technologies and had been shifting to more on renewable energy. Yes, of course many are related to energy efficiency as well. But, as Fiona Harvey and Suzanne Goldenberg write in The Guardian, coal still key to future growth despite strong focus on renewables. … Continue reading Siemens remains committed to fossil fuels →

Valuable diplomatic manoeuvring underway on climate change

While there has been understandable focus on the UN’s Climate Summit this week, the International Institute for Sustainable Development also reports on a meeting of another high-level group. Major Economies Forum Convenes Foreign Ministers MEF21 September 2014: The 20th Meeting of the Leaders' Representatives of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Change … Continue reading Valuable diplomatic manoeuvring underway on climate change →

The EU challenge to find a united approach to achieving emissions targets

There are few who would argue with meeting emissions targets in Europe. But, they are expensive to achieve and many of the new member states have found it difficult to give this a priority when there are so many other economic and social issues to deal with. Christian Oliver writes in the Financial Times about … Continue reading The EU challenge to find a united approach to achieving emissions targets →