European Commission starts legal steps against several EU member states for failing to comply with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

At a time when we have to pull out all the stops to achieve our long-term low-carbon energy and climate objectives, it is discouraging to see that the European Commission is having to take legal steps against some of the EU’s member states in order to ensure that the Energy Performance of Buildings directive is … Continue reading European Commission starts legal steps against several EU member states for failing to comply with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive →

How will Brexit affect Britain’s climate strategy?

Hardly a newscast goes by without several items relating to Brexit. Following a post by Andrew Warren last week in EiD, Michele Stua and Ed Dearnley from the University of Sussex analyse some of the possible outcomes in an article on The Conversation website. Do you have any views? What will Brexit mean for … Continue reading How will Brexit affect Britain’s climate strategy? →

More from the European Environment Agency: mixed progress for Europe’s transport sector in meeting environment, climate goals

Europe’s transport sector is making only mixed progress in meeting its environment, health and climate policy targets, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment published this week, which tracks the short and long-term environmental performance of this key economic sector across the European Union. Reducing the environmental, health and climate pressures arising from Europe’s … Continue reading More from the European Environment Agency: mixed progress for Europe’s transport sector in meeting environment, climate goals →

This week’s briefs

This week there are some items that should be of interest to you. First, the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (eceee) provides an explanatory note on why the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, that is currently under revision, must focus on energy needs. Second, there is a good article on how to minimise … Continue reading This week’s briefs →

Blog from Marine Cornelis – Are consumers fit for the new electricity market?

The Market Design part of the “Clean Energy For All” package will be adopted in the first part of 2018. The European Commission affirms the intention of the “Clean Energy For All” package is to put the consumer at the centre. But is the package truly going to deliver and make profound changes in consumer … Continue reading Blog from Marine Cornelis – Are consumers fit for the new electricity market? →

Farmers in Ireland worried about fines if EU renewable energy targets missed

The Irish Farmers’ Association has been reviewing the impact of missing targets for renewable energy. Niall Claffey explains in an article on the AgriLand website. '€600 million/year' fine if Ireland misses 2020 renewable energy targets “We are potentially looking at a €600 million/year fine for missing the 2020 targets – where’s the urgency?” This … Continue reading Farmers in Ireland worried about fines if EU renewable energy targets missed →

Industry at crossroads – reflections from recent EEFIG industry event

A vibrant and highly competitive EU manufacturing sector can provide the resources and many of the solutions for the societal challenges facing the EU, such as climate change, health and the ageing population, and the development of a healthy, safe and secure society and thriving social market economy. The necessary transition to a more … Continue reading Industry at crossroads – reflections from recent EEFIG industry event →

Taking stock

A committee of the European Parliament that is reviewing the Commission’s proposed clean energy package has just done something hopeful: it voted for a binding 40% energy efficiency target for 2030. The Commission had called for a binding 30% target and many members of Council (and others) oppose even 30%, and do not want the … Continue reading Taking stock →

Britain’s energy transition is a bumpy ride

Andrew Warren, Chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, and a regular contributor to EiD, has written another excellent and thoughtful article on the Business Green website. Sadly, much of the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive that is an excellent foundation for the country’s energy efficiency strategy is going unenforced. While this is about … Continue reading Britain’s energy transition is a bumpy ride →

New briefing on the role of the Primary Energy Factor

The Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) has just published an important new briefing on how Primary Energy Factor (PEF) is used and how they should be used in determining the energy performance of buildings. As the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is going through the revision process, the BPIE argues it is important to focus … Continue reading New briefing on the role of the Primary Energy Factor →