Category: environment

Views on sustainability

The environmentalist Tony Juniper writes an excellent article in the Guardian hoping sustainability will be firmly on the political agenda in 2014 but fearing the philosophy of growth at any cost will continue.   The growth versus environment narrative needs to change in 2014 The last year was not a landmark one for progress on … Continue reading Views on sustainability →

Here and there

There are some good news briefs on sustainable energy topics this week. Industrial Insulation EiD reported on a recent roundtable on industrial insulation organised by the European Industrial Insulation Forum. Videos of the main statements are now available here.   New reports from European Environment Agency • Global megatrends shaping Europe's environment – Surging economic … Continue reading Here and there →

Starting to see the full range of benefits from solar energy in Europe

Diana Powers writes in the New York Times about how solar energy is coming into the mainstream in Europe and that it is bringing many environmental benefits. It is good to see an American news service giving such attention to these developments in Europe. Solar Power Begins to Shine as Environmental Benefits Pay Off Amid … Continue reading Starting to see the full range of benefits from solar energy in Europe →

Putting environmental requirements on any shale gas development

The German Energy Blog writes about the European Parliament pushing for strict environmental regulations if fracking is to go ahead.  No doubt the interest in fracking is such that better policies are certainly required.  The European  Commission is currently assessing the framework for shale gas production in the EU and may well consider appropriate regulation.  … Continue reading Putting environmental requirements on any shale gas development →

Health concerns from air pollution raised

The European Environment Agency has come out with a new study showing that air pollution in Europe is still harming health.  John Vidal provides an excellent article on this in The Guardian.  Curiously, he mentions that countries have downplayed hazards of air pollution despite evidence that it leads to 430,000 shortened lives a year. When … Continue reading Health concerns from air pollution raised →

Energy saving becomes a higher priority in China

Jennifer Duggan writes in the China Blog for the Guardian about the plans to make energy efficiency a higher priority.  The main driver appears to be tackling the worsening pollution problems that are plaguing the country China to invest in energy saving industries to tackle pollution China's State Council announces plans to make green industries … Continue reading Energy saving becomes a higher priority in China →

New report from the European Environment Agency: An overview of EU environment policy targets and objectives

European Union legislation has established more than 130 separate environmental targets and objectives to be met between 2010 and 2050. Together, these can provide useful milestones supporting Europe’s transition towards a ‘green economy’, according to a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The ‘green economy’ has emerged as a priority in policy debate … Continue reading New report from the European Environment Agency: An overview of EU environment policy targets and objectives →

New report: Greening Household Behaviour: The Role of Public Policy

The OECD has recently published a valuable report on the role that public policy can play in affecting our household behaviour. Household consumption patterns and behaviour have an impact on stocks of natural resources, environmental quality and climate change. This is expected to increase significantly in the future. In response, governments have introduced a variety … Continue reading New report: Greening Household Behaviour: The Role of Public Policy →