The EU accelerates the completion of the energy union

On its website, the European Commission published this week a news article on how it is completing the energy union. In focus: Completing Europe’s energy union In 2015, the EU’s energy union strategy set out a bold vision to fundamentally transform our energy system. It envisioned a resilient energy union, with an ambitious climate policy, to … Continue reading The EU accelerates the completion of the energy union →

New publication from BPIE: Making the global pledge to double energy efficiency count

To double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements — from approximately 2% to over 4% annually — by 2030. Yet, no shared methodology was established to measure progress toward this goal. This paper gives policymakers the tools to align on definitions, track genuine progress, and uphold the commitments made on the global … Continue reading New publication from BPIE: Making the global pledge to double energy efficiency count →

Call for an ‘energy savings first’ principle in Europe

Rather than an ‘energy efficiency first principle’ in Europe, Christoph Schwaiger discusses in an article on the Euractiv website that the French think-tank, négaWatt, is arguing for a new principle would be beneficial, focusing on not just how we use energy, but on how much energy we truly need. This comes closer to the sufficiency … Continue reading Call for an ‘energy savings first’ principle in Europe →

New provisional data from EEA shows CO2 emissions from new cars registered in Europe slightly increased in 2024

After a steady and significant reduction from 2020 to 2023, average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars registered in Europe slightly increased in 2024, according to new provisional data published this week by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Average CO2 emissions from new cars and new vans slightly increased in 2024 Average CO2 emissions … Continue reading New provisional data from EEA shows CO2 emissions from new cars registered in Europe slightly increased in 2024 →

Social Climate Fund could subsidise up to 20 million heat pumps across Europe, new study finds

A new study finds that investing just one-third of the Social Climate Fund, the EU could subsidise up to 20 million heat pumps across the EU by 2032. This would be enough to reach all energy-poor households in nine EU countries and slash EU gas demand by 11% — nearly as much as the EU imported from Russia in 2024. The EU Social … Continue reading Social Climate Fund could subsidise up to 20 million heat pumps across Europe, new study finds →

Spotlight on EU funded project to provide home renovation roadmaps to address energy poverty in vulnerable rural districts

The EU-funded project RENOVERTY fosters energy efficiency building upgrades in the energy poor households of Central and Eastern Europe, South-eastern Europe and Southern European countries. The project aims to deliver tools and resources to support local and regional actors to build and execute operational single or multi-household roadmaps for rural areas. It has been underway … Continue reading Spotlight on EU funded project to provide home renovation roadmaps to address energy poverty in vulnerable rural districts →

EU transmission network risks being ‘systemic handbrake’ in clean energy transition

Over 1,700 gigawatts of renewable energy projects across 16 countries are stuck in the queue to be connected to the electricity grid. Rosie Frost writes on the Euronews website about a new report that analyses many of the challenges facing Europe to maintain the momentum for its clean energy transition. Europe’s electricity grid is … Continue reading EU transmission network risks being ‘systemic handbrake’ in clean energy transition →

New German study has exposed the myth that newly purchased household appliances protect the climate and save money due to their higher energy efficiency

It makes more sense for your wallet and the climate to continue using and repairing older household appliances. This is according to a study commissioned by the German Federal Environment Agency. Stefan Krempl discusses the findings of the report in an article on the heise online website. Energy efficiency: buying new household appliances is … Continue reading New German study has exposed the myth that newly purchased household appliances protect the climate and save money due to their higher energy efficiency →

Large-scale renovation projects prioritising circular materials and energy efficiency must become the norm

In an article on the Circular website, Fabrizio Leonforte, Associate Professor at Politecnico di Milano, explains how RE-SKIN is using circular renovations to improve energy efficiency in the built environment. How to tackle energy inefficiency through circular renovations Our buildings need a serious upgrade to keep up with our changing planet. Winters are colder, … Continue reading Large-scale renovation projects prioritising circular materials and energy efficiency must become the norm →

The share of renewables has been rising across Europe

Servet Yanatma writes on the Euronews website about the progress renewables is making in Europe but it is doubtful that several countries, particularly the largest economies, will meet the EU’s 2030 targets. Eight countries in Europe use renewables for more than half of their heating and cooling needs District heating networks help Nordic and … Continue reading The share of renewables has been rising across Europe →