Micro-hydro schemes offer good job opportunities

James Meadway explains in the Guardian that micro-hydro energy schemes in Britain offer significant opportunities to regenerate deprived areas, but they must overcome start-up costs and declining subsidies. Small scale hydropower can provide stream of new jobs to rural regions Micro-hydro, the generation of electricity from small streams, has begun to take off in … Continue reading Micro-hydro schemes offer good job opportunities →

Understanding the macro-economic benefits of renewables

Rodney Edwards writes on the Impartial Reporter website about how communities taking their energy future into their own hands was the topic under discussion at a recent renewable energy event attended by locals who are opposed to fracking in Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. ‘Renewables can be the source to re-energise rural communities, bringing jobs … Continue reading Understanding the macro-economic benefits of renewables →

The problems with tracking energy savings

Stephen Lacey, Senior Editor at Greentech Media writes a good article about the concerns about tracking energy savings in Massachusetts. This is a global concern. What are your views? Lies, Damned Lies and Modeling: Energy Efficiency’s Problem With Tracking Savings The efficiency industry grapples with the lack of transparency in monitoring and verification of … Continue reading The problems with tracking energy savings →

Impact of proposed new air pollution limits in Europe

Arthur Neslen writes in the Guardian about a new study commissioned by Greenpeace and the European Environment Bureau about concerns that likely weakened air pollution standards that are currently in draft form will have a serious impact in Europe. It would be good if anyone has more information on the likelihood of these plans being … Continue reading Impact of proposed new air pollution limits in Europe →

The renewable energy sector is creating jobs

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has recently published its latest report on the status of renewable energy employment. It is impressive that employment rose 18% between 2013 and 2014. IRENA and jobs Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review presents the status of renewable energy employment, both by technology and in selected countries, … Continue reading The renewable energy sector is creating jobs →

Air pollution raising alarm bells

Any of you living in Europe’s major cities has probably already been affected by health alerts about the high levels of dangerous emissions. Fiona Harvey writes an important article in The Guardian about what this is costing us in terms of early deaths and disease. She shows that the costs of dirty air are equivalent … Continue reading Air pollution raising alarm bells →

Global impact of the widespread use of air conditioners

The use of air conditioning globally is increasing at a rapid rate, particularly in non-OECD countries. Chris Mooney writes an important article in the Washington Post about this trend. As he writes, the motive is not increasing temperatures but greater wealth. However, unless the electricity can be provided by renewable energy, the impact on global … Continue reading Global impact of the widespread use of air conditioners →

How the low carbon energy transition can affect insurers

Any major macro-economic transition is going to have winners and losers. This also holds true for the low carbon energy transition that is underway. Tom Bawden writes an important article in The Independent about the big hit that insurance companies could suffer due to huge volumes of fossil fuel reserves that could be left ‘stranded.’ … Continue reading How the low carbon energy transition can affect insurers →

This week’s briefs

There are some good brief items for you this week. • New eceee report This week the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (eceee) launched an analysis paper entitled “What we will gain from more ambitious energy efficiency goals in the EU”. The analysis presents and explains the findings of the Commission’s 2030 … Continue reading This week’s briefs →

Impact of fuel-efficient vehicles in Ireland

Frank McDonald writes in the Irish Times about the significant reduction in energy consumption by the switch to energy-efficient vehicles in Ireland. Fuel-efficient cars reduce energy use by a quarter Consumer preference for more fuel-efficient cars has reduced energy use in the transport sector by 25 per cent since 2007, according to data released … Continue reading Impact of fuel-efficient vehicles in Ireland →