Loopholes will persist in new EU emissions tests for vehicles

The IEA first wrote about vehicle tests back in 1984 and one would think we have solved the problems in accuracy. Andy Sharman writes in the Financial Times that the new emissions test will do little to bring official results into line with reality. New emissions test still falls short, say critics A tough … Continue reading Loopholes will persist in new EU emissions tests for vehicles →

Regulations driving energy efficiency improvements

Writing on the BusinessGreen website, Stuart Turner of Hamworthy Heating looks beyond EU legislation on boiler efficiency to discuss how the real energy savings are to be achieved. Who’s driving energy- efficiency improvements? ErP [the Energy Related Products Directive] is seen as the driving force for energy-efficiency improvements. The criteria set out in the … Continue reading Regulations driving energy efficiency improvements →

European Investment Bank provides draft climate action strategy for review

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is carrying out a review on its approach to supporting climate action. A related public consultation was open from 12th January 2015 to 16th March 2015. The consultation involved meetings with stakeholders. The review process is taking place in parallel to the on-going climate negotiations before the global climate summit … Continue reading European Investment Bank provides draft climate action strategy for review →

Calls for new car CO2 emissions goals set the scene for another battle over fuel efficiency regulations in the EU

In an article in the Guardian by Arthur Neslen, ministers from the Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland and Finland say new CO2 goals would reduce motoring costs and aid the transition to zero-emission vehicles. EU states call for tough new car fuel efficiency targets The EU should set challenging new fuel efficiency targets for new cars … Continue reading Calls for new car CO2 emissions goals set the scene for another battle over fuel efficiency regulations in the EU →

British government ditches plans for zero carbon homes

Philip Oldfield writes in the Guardian about the government decision to axe plans to make new homes carbon neutral from 2016. This has raised much criticism. What the article does not mention is how the government will now meet its related obligations for nearly zero energy buildings under the EU’s energy performance of buildings directive. … Continue reading British government ditches plans for zero carbon homes →

On target for 2020?

Andrew Warren, honorary president of the UK’s Association for the Conservation of Energy writes about how the UK government appears to be manipulating information it is sending to the European Commission for the monitoring of progress to meet 2020 energy efficiency targets. If the UK is doing this, how many other member states are doing … Continue reading On target for 2020? →

Impact of proposed new air pollution limits in Europe

Arthur Neslen writes in the Guardian about a new study commissioned by Greenpeace and the European Environment Bureau about concerns that likely weakened air pollution standards that are currently in draft form will have a serious impact in Europe. It would be good if anyone has more information on the likelihood of these plans being … Continue reading Impact of proposed new air pollution limits in Europe →

Legal framework for renewable energy is firming up in Romania

Laura Grigore explains on Romania’s Business Review website about the latest legal developments in Romania to establish a sustainable electricity system based on renewables. Romanian parliament approves law on measures in the field of electricity produced from renewable energy sources Romanian Parliament adopted by a large majority the legislation on measures in the field … Continue reading Legal framework for renewable energy is firming up in Romania →

Important new paper on Display Energy Certificates

Robert Cohen and Bill Bordass, both loyal readers of EiD, have written an important new report that reviews the history of the Display Energy Certificate and it identifies a number of lessons for improvements to future policy outcomes. Mandating transparency about building energy performance in use In 2002, the European Union Energy Performance of … Continue reading Important new paper on Display Energy Certificates →

Are clean energy companies in Europe part of the living dead?

There are concerns that bureaucracy is killing the clean energy industry in Europe. Pilita Clark assesses these concerns in the Financial Times. Do you have a view? Politics, red tape ‘turning EU clean energy into zombie industry’ The EU’s dysfunctional political system is turning clean energy companies into a “zombie industry” of the living … Continue reading Are clean energy companies in Europe part of the living dead? →