The European Commission in the news

This week, the European Commission presented its long-expected 2030 climate and energy policy framework, whereby there will be a binding target for GHG emissions, a modest binding EU (but not at the member state level) target for renewable energy and, once again, a non-binding target for energy savings. The purpose behind the policy framework is … Continue reading The European Commission in the news →

Energy prices in Europe will stay high

Barbara Lewis writes for the Reuter’s news service about the IEA’s chief economist, Fatih Birol, speaking in Brussels recently about a range of energy policy concerns. There are no signs of energy prices coming down as they did in the US. If Europe is to remain competitive, there will have to be other measures put … Continue reading Energy prices in Europe will stay high →

New OECD book on carbon prices

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a book, titled 'Effective Carbon Prices,' which synthesizes a number of case studies on carbon prices in 15 selected countries and sectors. The book provides estimates of the costs to society of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in 15 countries using different policy instruments in five sectors: … Continue reading New OECD book on carbon prices →

Important new report on energy and competitiveness from eceee

On May 21st, the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy published a discussion paper entitled “European competitiveness and energy efficiency: Focusing on the real issue”. So, what is the real issue? Everyone is worried about the price of energy and that Europeans are paying so much more than in most other regions of the … Continue reading Important new report on energy and competitiveness from eceee →

Renewable energy impact on European power prices

David Thorpe writes for Energy and Environmental Management (EAEM) about how renewable energy output in Germany has had a positive affect in lowering European power prices recently. German renewable energy helped cut European power prices in April Record output from German wind and solar plants helped to reduce European power prices in April, according … Continue reading Renewable energy impact on European power prices →

Backlash?

In February, the Bulgarian government resigned amidst protests about high electricity prices and other austerity measures that were considered too harsh on consumers. While many other governments have fallen recently because of austerity measures, the Bulgarian case was the first to relate specifically to energy prices. Now we are seeing increasing frustration in the UK … Continue reading Backlash? →

Energy taxes in the US now being discussed

Eduardo Porter wrote recently in the New York Times about the pros and cons of introducing energy taxes in the US. Droughts and hurricanes are starting to stir some debate. But the conclusion is that, even with all the benefits of new energy taxes, the US seems a long way off from introducing them. In … Continue reading Energy taxes in the US now being discussed →

A Q&A on a carbon tax versus cap-and-trade

Luca Taschini, Simon Dietz and Naomi Hicks of Grantham Research Institute recently provided a Q&A in the Guardian comparing a carbon tax against cap-and-trade. This is a useful article for all EiD readers. Carbon tax v cap-and-trade: which is better? Economists argue that, if the market is left to operate freely, greenhouse gas emissions … Continue reading A Q&A on a carbon tax versus cap-and-trade →