Concerns whether the approach taken by the EU will achieve the ambitious emissions targets

While Europe is recognised to be at the forefront of ambition in reducing GHG emissions, Beth Gardiner write in the New York Times that there are many who are raising concerns that the targets have been affected by deals including the push by coal-dependent Poland to continue on that path. With the global climate negotiations … Continue reading Concerns whether the approach taken by the EU will achieve the ambitious emissions targets →

Actual and test data for vehicles wide off the mark

Pilita Clark and Andy Sharman write in the Financial Times about the test measurements for fuel consumption of new cars and how they are reflecting real conditions less and less. The way the tests are held are being held is being blamed. Carmakers stuck in slow lane over fuel data and air pollution, say … Continue reading Actual and test data for vehicles wide off the mark →

Ecodesign – European Commission land grab or market facilitator?

The Third Generation Environmentalism Ltd, E3G, the independent, non-profit organisation accelerating the global transition to sustainable development, provides a new briefing report on Ecodesign in the form of a question and answer entitled Ecodesign – European Commission land grab or market facilitator? It is a valuable briefing note because it reviews what Ecodesign is and … Continue reading Ecodesign – European Commission land grab or market facilitator? →

Closely examining the story behind setting the EU’s 2030 target for energy savings

Many were surprised that the European Council lowered the 2030 target for energy savings that had been proposed by the European Commission. Andrew Warren, honorary President of the UK’s Association for the Conservation of Energy, explains in an article for the Energy in Buildings & Industry magazine what happened behind the scenes. The UK’s … Continue reading Closely examining the story behind setting the EU’s 2030 target for energy savings →

The need for smart EU energy markets

The Third Generation Environmentalism Ltd, E3G, the independent, non-profit organisation accelerating the global transition to sustainable development, has published an important new briefing report on energy markets in the European Union, written by Simon Skillings and Taylor Dimsdale. As E3G states, it is easy to be pessimistic about the state of EU energy policy and … Continue reading The need for smart EU energy markets →

Latest developments in the roll out of smart meters in the UK

The EU has an ambitious plan for 80% market penetration of smart meters by 2020 as part of the internal electricity and gas market reforms. Emily Gosden writes in The Telegraph on the latest developments in the UK. Widespread installation of electricity and gas "smart meters" was due to begin late next year but could … Continue reading Latest developments in the roll out of smart meters in the UK →

Ecodesign to focus on big screen TVs

It is long overdue that size matters when it comes to improving energy efficiency. Arthur Neslen writes an important article on the European Commission’s planning to address mega-TVs. It reminds EiD of the effort made by the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (eceee) several years ago to address whether efficient is sufficient. Hopefully … Continue reading Ecodesign to focus on big screen TVs →

New BPIE report on renovation strategies

The Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) has recently published a report on renovation strategies that are required by EU member states. Article 4 of the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive requires Member States, for the first time, to set out national strategies for the renovation of their building stocks. The report focuses on 10 member states … Continue reading New BPIE report on renovation strategies →

New EU car fleet emissions performance in line with targets

The European Environment Agency recently reported that the efficiency of passenger cars and vans in the EU has improved over the past years, and the number of electric cars, albeit still low, is increasing rapidly. The report, which presents data on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from these vehicles, finds that, on average, both passenger cars … Continue reading New EU car fleet emissions performance in line with targets →

Background to Canada lobbying the EU to change the fuel quality directive

Many in Europe were not pleased to hear that the Fuel Quality Directive was changed to allow crude oil from Canada’s tar sands. Barbara Lewis writes in Canada’s Globe and Mail about the lobbying process. How Canada blocked Europe’s dirty oil label In the cafés and bars of Brussels, bitumen has been high on … Continue reading Background to Canada lobbying the EU to change the fuel quality directive →