Chairman’s Conclusions: Think local first: designing an EU buildings policy framework centred on consumers, local authorities and energy advisory services to deliver on Europe’s renovation challenge

A policy roundtable, organised by the PUBLENEF project through one of the consortium organisations (Energy Cities) and the Energy Advice Exchange, was held on June 20th in Brussels during the EU Sustainable Energy Week in order to further explore the key role and importance of local authorities and energy advisory services in Europe’s energy efficiency … Continue reading Chairman’s Conclusions: Think local first: designing an EU buildings policy framework centred on consumers, local authorities and energy advisory services to deliver on Europe’s renovation challenge

Cities adapting to climate change in Canada

As Canadians are feeling the impact of climate change, there is a need for greater action at the local level. Malcolm Araos, James Ford and Stephanie Austin explain in an article on The Conversation website. Climate change is making cities sick and we need to act Urban Canadians are feeling the impact of climate change. … Continue reading Cities adapting to climate change in Canada

More evidence of important role of local governments to address global problems

It is encouraging to see the actions at the local level to address climate change. The Paris climate conference was valuable in raising the awareness of the challenge we face. Luc Soete, Professorial Fellow at United Nations University writes a good account of these activities in an article on The Conversation website.   Cities rally … Continue reading More evidence of important role of local governments to address global problems

New survey shows how local governments in US are addressing climate change

It is encouraging to see how local governments everywhere are taking more direct action to address climate change. Many see the other benefits such as improved air quality. The US Conference of Mayors has recently undertaken a survey of cities throughout the country. A summary of results is available on the globenewswire website. Survey finds … Continue reading New survey shows how local governments in US are addressing climate change

Blog by Silvia Zinetti: International perspectives and best practices from “Community Choice Energy” in providing financing for energy efficiency upgrades at the local level

The past two weeks I was busy traveling around Europe. By coincidence and good fortune, I was in Brussels for the EU Sustainable Energy Week and was invited to be part of a panel at PUBLENEF & Energy Advice Exchange policy roundtable "Think local first: designing an EU building policy framework centered on consumers, local … Continue reading Blog by Silvia Zinetti: International perspectives and best practices from “Community Choice Energy” in providing financing for energy efficiency upgrades at the local level

Energy Advice Exchange co-organising important roundtable discussion June 20th: Think local first: a building policy to deliver on EU renovation challenge

The Energy Advice Exchange is pleased to be co-organising an event in Brussels on June 20th. Consumers, local authorities and energy advisory services are the three leading forces, whose combined actions will enable Europe to deliver on its 2050 renovation challenge. Their manifold collaboration on the ground, in cooperation with other private and public stakeholders, … Continue reading Energy Advice Exchange co-organising important roundtable discussion June 20th: Think local first: a building policy to deliver on EU renovation challenge

Blog from Silvia Zinetti: The Community Choice Energy model is gaining momentum in California. Can this knowledge be transferred to Europe?

In my previous post I introduced the concept of Community Choice Energy (CCE) (1) business model and how cities and local governments in California are gaining momentum in leading the way towards sustainable energy transition at the local level. There is definitely an interesting situation. Contrary to what the federal government is doing, California is … Continue reading Blog from Silvia Zinetti: The Community Choice Energy model is gaining momentum in California. Can this knowledge be transferred to Europe?

Communities are increasingly involved in the energy transition

Every day we are reading about how communities are playing an increasingly significant role in the energy transition. We read about how the larger cities through C40 or other actions through the Covenant of Mayors in Europe or Energy Cities are having an important impact. Karen Percy writes on the ABC website about what one … Continue reading Communities are increasingly involved in the energy transition

Devising new cycle lanes that protect cyclists and contribute to more sustainable cities

Oliver Balch writes a good article in The Observer about plans for a novel new cycle path in Chicago that will be a floating car-free bike path along the surface of the Chicago River.   Chicago entices cyclists with plan for floating, solar-powered bike path City cyclists, picture the scene: no more road-hogging drivers, no … Continue reading Devising new cycle lanes that protect cyclists and contribute to more sustainable cities

Local governments taking the lead to promote sustainable energy

We are increasingly appreciating how local governments are playing a key role in the low carbon energy transition. Silvia Zinetti, a previous contributor to EiD, is a sustainable energy expert and policy advisor, based in California. Many of you will remember Silvia when she was working in Brussels in sustainable energy. She brought her experience … Continue reading Local governments taking the lead to promote sustainable energy