Retrofits at a fast PACE

Jim Witkin writes for the New York Times about a new financing programme for retrofits in Sacramento California.  The  programme is modelled on the PACE concept – Property Assessed Clean Energy that has no up-front costs.  As countries in Europe are starting to either implement or assess the possibility of such a scheme, it is … Continue reading Retrofits at a fast PACE →

Is the Green Deal a big deal?

Everyone in Europe is watching with great interest how the Green Deal will be implemented in Britain.  It is one of the big “experiments” in trying to improve financing for building retrofits.  The Green Deal has just started and it has, not surprisingly, gained much press attention.  This article by Lisa Bachelor for The Observer … Continue reading Is the Green Deal a big deal? →

Two new reports from the IEA

The International Energy Agency publishes many reports annually.  Two recent ones should be of special interest to EiD readers. The first is on the use and public funding of economic instruments, i.e. government financial tools, in IEA countries to support energy efficiency, particularly in the buildings sector. It is called "Mobilising investment in energy efficiency" … Continue reading Two new reports from the IEA →

New EBRD financing to help Turkey establish a low carbon market economy

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is taking an active role in Turkey.  The EBRD is continuing to help Turkey become an energy-efficient and low carbon market economy with a new financing package of €50 million provided to Finansbank for on-lending to private companies investing in renewable energy, industrial energy efficiency and waste-to-energy projects. … Continue reading New EBRD financing to help Turkey establish a low carbon market economy →

Green Investment Bank shows it’s in business

Renewable Energy Focus provides details on the first deal by the UK’s new public-funded green investment bank in wind energy. UK Green Investment Bank agrees its first offshore wind farm finance package The UK’s state-backed Green Investment Bank (GIB) has struck its first deal in the offshore wind sector, contributing to a £224 million re-financing … Continue reading Green Investment Bank shows it’s in business →

Reviewing environmental taxes

Martin Baxter, Executive Director for policy at the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment wrote this blog for Sustainable Business in the Guardian. While it is about issues in Britain, it has relevance to all countries. Environmental taxes need review to stay relevant When environmental taxes change business behaviour, revenues will fall – something the … Continue reading Reviewing environmental taxes →

New energy efficiency fund targeting business

James Murray for BusinessGreen describes a new corporate energy efficiency fund in the UK.  The bank is drawing on government’s Funding for Lending scheme to offer competitive loans to help businesses deliver energy efficiency improvements. RBS launches £200m corporate energy efficiency fund Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) will today launch a £200m (€246m) Carbon Reduction … Continue reading New energy efficiency fund targeting business →

Turkish banks recognised for financing industrial energy efficiency and renewable energy projects

Finchannel.com from Tblisi, Georgia describes the recognition that Turkish banks have received from the EBRD for promoting energy efficiency.  The EBRD has been active in getting its member countries to take an active role in energy efficiency and it appears to be paying off. EBRD celebrates excellence in financing energy efficiency in Turkey The European … Continue reading Turkish banks recognised for financing industrial energy efficiency and renewable energy projects →

Municipality uses energy services company

The Republican-American newspaper in Connecticut in the United States gives us an important example of how using performance contracting has become a winning proposition.  The article discusses many of the issues related to using such financing mechanisms. Improvements without bonds – Energy savings committed to pay for projects Cheshire Town leaders believe they have found … Continue reading Municipality uses energy services company →

The launch of the Green Investment Bank in the UK

The UK has set up the world’s first investment bank solely dedicated to greening the economy. The initiative is part of the Government’s commitment to setting the UK firmly on course towards a green and growing economy, while also delivering long-term sustainable growth. The  Green Investment Bank (GIB) will be a key component of the progression … Continue reading The launch of the Green Investment Bank in the UK →