US support for backing outstanding mortgages giving only vague guidance on climate-related catastrophe

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which backstop most U.S. mortgages, know floods and fires are a growing problem. But little action has been taken. Lydia DePillis discusses this growing issue in the US. One wonders how the new administration will deal with this issue?   Mortgage Regulators Are Shrugging Off Climate Risk. It Could Cost … Continue reading US support for backing outstanding mortgages giving only vague guidance on climate-related catastrophe

Canada had some good words to say at COP29 but its actions don’t back them up

Bruce Campbell writes on the Policy Alternatives about Canada at the Baku summit. While it takes a positive attitude to the COP process, it has to be admitted that Canada is the world’s the fourth largest oil producing country and sixth largest producer of natural gas.  It also had many lobbyists there representing the tar … Continue reading Canada had some good words to say at COP29 but its actions don’t back them up

“We cannot allow this mad denial of energy efficiency to become permanent government policy”

The latest UK government proposals focus on the production of clean energy, but why is there no mention of what more can be done to reduce the amount of enregy we actually use? asks Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, in November/December issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry. Is this situation … Continue reading “We cannot allow this mad denial of energy efficiency to become permanent government policy”

Message to new Trump administration: improving energy efficiency is a cornerstone of a stable, competitive, affordable American economy

We have collectively been holding our breath to find out the impact on our energy and climate policies in American following the election on November 5th. Steven Nadel, Executive Director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) provides us with a strong argument of the importance of continuing with energy efficiency measures. The … Continue reading Message to new Trump administration: improving energy efficiency is a cornerstone of a stable, competitive, affordable American economy

Initial views on new Trump administration’s impact on climate policies

In an article on The Conversation website, Gautam Jain, Senior Research Scholar in Financing the Energy Transition, Columbia University discusses the impact on climate policy of the incoming Trump administration.   What Trump can do to reverse US climate policy − and what he probably can’t change As the U.S. prepares for another Trump administration, … Continue reading Initial views on new Trump administration’s impact on climate policies

Energy performance certificate system needs to reform in France

The France Insider website writes about the energy performance certificates, required under the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive need to be reformed according to the French national auditor. What are your views? Are they effective in your country?   Energy Saving Certificates Under Fire The system of energy savings certificates has been heavily criticized … Continue reading Energy performance certificate system needs to reform in France

Germany’s coal consumption continued its downward trend in 2024

Julian Wettengel writes on the Reneweconomy website about the continuing trend in Germany to reduce its dependency on coal.   German coal use plunges nearly 40 per cent in 2024, despite nuclear exit Germany’s coal consumption continued its downward trend in 2024, helping to reduce the country’s climate-damaging CO2 emissions, said energy market research group … Continue reading Germany’s coal consumption continued its downward trend in 2024

Clean energy technologies save households serious money, but the barrier to entry increased in 2024

With the cost of living top of mind for Canadians, a new Clean Energy Canada report finds that making a few clean energy changes to your household can save hundreds of dollars a month for families. The report is discussed in a news item on the Energy Mix website.   EVs, Energy Efficiency Save Canadians … Continue reading Clean energy technologies save households serious money, but the barrier to entry increased in 2024

Australia’s energy transition and need for more electricity workforce

The zero carbon energy transition will create jobs and an article on The Conversation website by Jay Rutovitz, Chris Briggs and Elianor Gerrard of the University of Technology Sydney discuss the needs in Australia if they are to meet 2030 renewable targets in Australia. What does it mean for your country?   Our electricity workforce … Continue reading Australia’s energy transition and need for more electricity workforce

Canada’s energy transition in trouble: it’s easy to say ‘axe the tax’

As prime minister Justin Trudeau trails in polls, opposition seek to persuade voters environmental policy is a burden. With all the evidence of the impact of climate change, is there a “low” burden option? Leyland Cecco discusses latest developments in an article on the Guardian website.   Canada’s carbon tax is popular, innovative and helps … Continue reading Canada’s energy transition in trouble: it’s easy to say ‘axe the tax’