Saving for a sunny day

Josephine Cumbo for the Financial Times reports of a new solar fund that has opened for pension investors in Britain. Solar fund opens up to pension investors Wealthy individuals wanting to tap into growing demand for renewable energy now have access to a new solar fund, the country’s first to target pension investors. The Solar … Continue reading Saving for a sunny day →

Addressing fuel poverty in Scotland

Scotland’s Daily Record news describes efforts underway by the Scottish Government to more effectively address fuel poverty. The article quotes Brenda Boardman, who has championed the cause of tackling fuel poverty. Calls for fuel poverty to be stamped out by improving energy efficiency THE Scottish Government has pledged to ensure that by November 2016, "so … Continue reading Addressing fuel poverty in Scotland →

German bank leads way with major funding for renewable energy

The German state-owned bank, KfW, is highly regarded globally for its support for both energy efficiency and renewable energy. It is often seen as a “best practice” bank that sets the standard, even though few other governments have proven willing to create such an institution. Reuters reports on a new initiative from KfW that will … Continue reading German bank leads way with major funding for renewable energy →

Munich Re will invest several billion euros in green energy

The Swiss news service, Romandie.com, reported that the German reinsurer Munich Re plans to boost the profitability of its financial investments by investing billions of euros in renewable energy sector, according to an interview published Saturday. “We want in the next three to five years to develop our investments totaling 2.5 billion euros in renewable … Continue reading Munich Re will invest several billion euros in green energy →

Financing retrofits

Improving the energy performance of buildings will require some innovation on financing. Sandra Kwak, an entrepreneur with Powerzoa and D-Light Energy has provided an insightful, detailed article on energy efficiency financing that should be of interest to EiD readers. It makes for more good summer reading. Energy Efficiency Financing: The Absent, Invisible Hand “How … Continue reading Financing retrofits →

Good results from Dutch investment tax

Ulrika Lomas of Tax-News.com presents some important results showing that an Energy Investment Allowance has had a significant impact on investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Netherlands. Dutch Investment Tax Boosts Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency The Dutch ministry of economic affairs, agriculture and innovation has recently announced that the government’s tax … Continue reading Good results from Dutch investment tax →

Number of the week – 7.5

The UK’s government's environment policy to kickstart a massive overhaul of the UK's draughty homes to save energy passed the final hurdle to become law on July 2nd amid growing concern that the scheme has become too costly to succeed. It was revealed that the borrowing rate would be 7.5% over a compulsory term of … Continue reading Number of the week – 7.5 →

What a carbon tax offers to Australians

Australia has taken a bold step forward by approving a carbon tax. This is an insightful article from the Canberra Times on the opportunities such a tax brings. Carbon tax a chance to rethink our energy use July 1, 2012 Canberra Times Many Australian families will wake up this morning with a sense of uncertainty … Continue reading What a carbon tax offers to Australians →

Geneva: owners required to improve energy efficiency

In Geneva, the results of an aerial thermography targeting all the cantonal territory roofs are available on the Internet. Homeowners can benefit from expert advice for data interpretation and diagnosis of their building energy. "More than 35,000 buildings consume half the energy used in the township," said Isabel Friday Rochat, head of the Department of … Continue reading Geneva: owners required to improve energy efficiency →

EBRD announces new energy efficiency phase of its Sustainable Energy Initiative

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced on May 18th that it is stepping up investments to improve energy efficiency and address climate change via new investment in projects worth up to €25 billion over the next three years, under the new phase of the Bank’s Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI). Building on the … Continue reading EBRD announces new energy efficiency phase of its Sustainable Energy Initiative →