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
Category: energy policy
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
Roll out of smart meters in UK still raising concerns
The UK, like all EU member states, is required to install smart meters throughout the country. While there are many reasons for the roll out, one was certainly to help consumers save energy. According to Rebecca Smithers, writing in The Guardian, new reports show that the savings will be modest at best and the costs … Continue reading Roll out of smart meters in UK still raising concerns
Understanding more about Iceland’s energy system
World Bulletin writes a good article about the importance placed on renewable energy. This is important for a country that has the highest per capita consumption of electricity. Renewable energy saves Iceland Iceland, which consumes the most electricity power per capita in the world, makes almost all energy production through renewable energy sources, according … Continue reading Understanding more about Iceland’s energy system
