New OECD book on carbon prices

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a book, titled 'Effective Carbon Prices,' which synthesizes a number of case studies on carbon prices in 15 selected countries and sectors. The book provides estimates of the costs to society of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in 15 countries using different policy instruments in five sectors: … Continue reading New OECD book on carbon prices →

Quote of the week

On November 12th, the IEA launched its 2013 World Energy Outlook. At the launch in London, Maria van der Hoeven, Executive Director of the IEA said: Energy efficiency will be essential to getting that balance right – and I am pleased to say that it has become a focal point of energy policies. As we … Continue reading Quote of the week →

Changes start at DG Energy

Tony Vogel of European Voice writes about big changes at the head of DG Energy Ristori to succeed Lowe as head of energy department European Commission appoints Frenchman to key post. The European Commission has appointed Dominique Ristori of France as the new director-general of its department for energy. He is to take over on … Continue reading Changes start at DG Energy →

US changes stance on funding coal-fired power plants

The World Bank has often been criticised for funding large-scale energy projects – from large hydropower dams to coal-fired power plants – that can have serious environmental consequences and certainly not in the realm of sustainable energy. Michael Shear writes in the New York Times that its largest funder, the US, has now taken a … Continue reading US changes stance on funding coal-fired power plants →

UN Secretary-General launches SE4ALL energy efficiency hub

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) opened a new global centre for Energy Efficiency as part of the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative. The Energy Efficiency Hub (EE Hub), in Copenhagen, Denmark, will seek to help “drastically increase” energy access, energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment. … Continue reading UN Secretary-General launches SE4ALL energy efficiency hub →

New IEA report provides evidence that energy efficiency is making headway

Recently, the IEA published its first “Energy Efficiency Market Report.” EcoSeed provides an excellent account of the report. Energy efficiency saves billion of dollars – IEA report Energy efficiency is playing a crucial role in the world, saving billions of dollars according to a report released by the International Energy Agency. Findings of the … Continue reading New IEA report provides evidence that energy efficiency is making headway →

United Nations having a say in Britain’s renewable energy strategy

Margareta Pagano explains in the Independent that a UN Tribunal has accused the UK government of acting illegally by not having adequate public consultation. UN ruling puts future of wind farms in Britain in jeopardy Plans for future wind farms in Britain could be in jeopardy after a United Nations legal tribunal ruled that the … Continue reading United Nations having a say in Britain’s renewable energy strategy →

News from the European Commission

DG Energy has published report on energy performance certificates On 20 June 2013, the Commission published a study on "Energy performance certificates in buildings and their impact on transaction prices and rents in selected EU countries". The study shows a positive impact of the Energy Performance Certificate under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (Directive … Continue reading News from the European Commission →

New report on cities and the contribution green policies can make to growth

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has recently published report on the benefits that can be achieved by cities taking a “green” approach. Cities can generate growth and jobs while becoming greener – this is the message of the OECD’s new Green Growth in Cities report. Drawing on case studies of Paris, Chicago, … Continue reading New report on cities and the contribution green policies can make to growth →

EBRD considers keeping coal option open

Terry Macalister writes in The Guardian about the efforts of senior management at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to keep coal from being caught in the ideological energy and climate change battles. Affordability is one of the main arguments. European energy chief puts forward case for funding coal EBRD chief Riccardo Puliti … Continue reading EBRD considers keeping coal option open →