Category: impact

Fifth fuel? First fuel? Gains from energy efficiency “biggest energy resource, and cheapest”

Increasingly, people are starting to appreciate the impact of improved energy efficiency. In Europe, every day we are reading about “energy efficiency first” or even, as in this article, continuing to consider it the “fifth fuel.” The important point is that improved energy efficiency is finally getting the recognition it deserves because it has silently … Continue reading Fifth fuel? First fuel? Gains from energy efficiency “biggest energy resource, and cheapest” →

Exploring the impact of air pollution

Air pollution is known for serious health and climate change impacts. Now, as Chris Mooney writes in the Washington Post, there is a link with violent crime.   Researchers just discovered a hidden factor that could be driving violent crimes In a paper published by the National Bureau for Economic Research, two researchers say they … Continue reading Exploring the impact of air pollution →

Energy efficiency employs nearly 1 million in the EU

Some 900 thousand people were employed in work relating to the supply of energy efficient goods and services in 2010, according to a new study entitled ‘assessing the employment and social impact of energy efficiency’. The study, published in December 2015, found that the sectors with the greatest levels of energy efficiency jobs were those … Continue reading Energy efficiency employs nearly 1 million in the EU →

Understanding green due diligence

Green finance is in the news every day. But, Todd Cort and Cary Krosinsky, who teach sustainable business at Yale University, write in the Financial Times, that virtually nothing is known about the environmental impact of these loans and bonds. It would be good to get your views on this.   ‘Green’ finance environmental impact … Continue reading Understanding green due diligence →

An interesting reaction to low fuel prices

What do you do when energy prices fall? Binyamin Appelbaum writes an interesting article in the New York Times about the reaction of Americans that “don’t make much sense.” Is this your reaction too?   When Gas Becomes Cheaper, Americans Buy More Expensive Gas When gas prices fall, Americans reliably do two things that don’t … Continue reading An interesting reaction to low fuel prices →

The benefits from renewable energy

We are in the midst of a low-carbon transition and renewable energy technologies are playing an increasingly important role. Bobby Magill reports on the SBS website that building wind and solar farms helps to reduce the human impact on climate change by displacing noxious emissions from coal-fired power plants.   Renewable energy saves lives, study … Continue reading The benefits from renewable energy →

Assessing the impact of increased renewable energy on traditional businesses

Chris Bryant writes a good article in the Financial Times about the impact of the low carbon transition on some of the major companies in Europe.   European industrial groups hit by push to renewable energy After years of painstaking development, Siemens was triumphant in 2011 when its new H-class gas turbine, the world’s largest … Continue reading Assessing the impact of increased renewable energy on traditional businesses →

Going back and find out what really happened to energy efficiency programmes

Elizabeth Harball writes an interesting article on the E&E Publishing website about the true effectiveness of energy efficiency programmes in California. This is important reading for all EiD followers, particularly those focusing on consumer behaviour.   Calif. program subsidized more efficient energy use for both rich and poor. Guess whose habits didn't change? A 2005 … Continue reading Going back and find out what really happened to energy efficiency programmes →