The EU is addressing climate change through the potentially potent tool of fine print of financial regulations

Jill Ward, Silla Brush and John Ainger from Bloomberg write on the Washington Post website about the EU embedding environmental goals in standards for banks, money managers, insurers and member states’ public spending plans. Why EU Climate Weapon Is in the Financial Fine Print The fight against climate change involves more than wind turbines … Continue reading The EU is addressing climate change through the potentially potent tool of fine print of financial regulations →

More than half the Netherlands’ four million home owners are not yet taking steps to make their homes more energy efficient

A news item on the Dutch News website discusses the problems in getting homeowners to take action to make their homes more energy efficient. Are you finding the same problems in your country? More than half of home owners are not boosting energy efficiency More than half the Netherlands’ four million home owners are … Continue reading More than half the Netherlands’ four million home owners are not yet taking steps to make their homes more energy efficient →

Would a carbon border tax be effective as a tool as countries try to slow climate change?

Timothy Hamilton, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Richmond in the United States discusses on The Conversation website the potential impact of the border adjustment carbon tax that the EU is considering. What are your views? The EU wants a carbon tax on imports – but would it be the climate solution officials expect? … Continue reading Would a carbon border tax be effective as a tool as countries try to slow climate change? →

In its first economy-wide climate stress test, the European Central Bank assessed the impact of climate change on four million companies and 2,000 banks in the bloc

Gurpreet Narwan writes on The Times website about the first economy-wide climate stress test by the ECB on companies and banks in the European Union. European Central Bank environment stress test shows polluters at risk Climate change poses “a major source of systemic risk” to the economy, the European Central Bank has warned after … Continue reading In its first economy-wide climate stress test, the European Central Bank assessed the impact of climate change on four million companies and 2,000 banks in the bloc →

Understanding carbon-free construction

Buildings and construction generate nearly 40% of global carbon emissions. As urbanisation skyrockets, the sector needs to find ways to rapidly decarbonise through net-zero building as required under the EU Energy Performance In Buildings Directive and to meet our long-term climate and energy objectives. Stuart Braun provides a good account to understanding carbon-free construction in … Continue reading Understanding carbon-free construction →

New EEA briefing on the health impacts from climate change

European countries are facing increasing threats from climate change, including extreme weather events and infectious diseases. A new briefing by the Lancet Countdown and the European Environment Agency (EEA), published this week on the European Climate and Health Observatory, draws attention to health impacts of climate change in the European Union (EU) and suggests key … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the health impacts from climate change →

New EEA briefing on ensuring that chemicals make a positive contribution to society without harming the environment and people’s health

The recent European Union chemicals strategy for sustainability aims to ensure that chemicals make a positive contribution to society without harming the environment and people’s health. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published earlier this month, describes key approaches to make chemicals and products safe and sustainable by design, before they enter the market. … Continue reading New EEA briefing on ensuring that chemicals make a positive contribution to society without harming the environment and people’s health →

Proposed carbon border levy would be strong signal to EU firms

Neil Kellard, Dean, Professor in Finance, Essex Business School at the University of Essex writes on The Conversation website about the impact of the proposed carbon border levy. What are your views? Why the EU's proposed carbon border levy is an important test for global action on climate change In the more than two … Continue reading Proposed carbon border levy would be strong signal to EU firms →

New EEA report on the growing environmental concern from plastics

The ever-increasing amount of plastic, its impact on biodiversity and contribution to climate change, and how to deal with it in a circular economy perspective have been on the European Union’s policy agenda for years. The COVID-19 pandemic has only increased the attention for plastic waste with images of masks in our seas, and large … Continue reading New EEA report on the growing environmental concern from plastics →

Upcoming event: EEFIG 2021 Plenary, February 9-10th

This year’s most important event in energy efficiency financing is coming up in two weeks. Make sure to register (see below). The Energy Efficiency Financial Institutions Group (EEFIG) organises annual plenary meetings that are open to all members and interested parties. The next plenary is taking place on 9-10 February 2021 in virtual format. This … Continue reading Upcoming event: EEFIG 2021 Plenary, February 9-10th →