While governments focus on how to protect consumers from escalating energy prices, Belgium shows an important way forward. Since 2002, eligible households have been shielded from price fluctuations in the energy market. People don’t have to struggle. Carl Packman discusses the approach taken by Belgium in an article on The Guardian website. There is … Continue reading A social tariff has shielded eligible households in Belgium from price fluctuations since 2002
Category: national policies
Comments on Britain’s mini-budget: OECD comments on UK approach to energy efficiency
It has been just over a week since the UK provided its latest approach to grow the economy. The UK publication Energy in Buildings & Industry (EiBI) provides the follow two comments related to the mini-budget. It should be noted that this week the government has injected £1.5 billion to support upgrades for 130,000 social … Continue reading Comments on Britain’s mini-budget: OECD comments on UK approach to energy efficiency
UK takes different approach to Europeans to addressing the current energy crisis
While the UK government on Friday announced an additional £1bn for energy efficiency obligations under new legislation, to begin from April 2023, undoubtedly the main focus of the new government is to increase energy supplies (yes, with a cap on consumer prices), largely of fossil fuels including fracking. The energy crisis is currently with us … Continue reading UK takes different approach to Europeans to addressing the current energy crisis
New UK government accused of failing to recognise the savings that could flow from making the nation more energy efficient
The new UK government under Prime Minister Liz Truss has stated that it will cap consumer energy prices but it will also undertake many efforts to increase energy supply, primarily from fossil fuels and nuclear. Alistair Osborne writes on The Times website that Jonathan Maxwell, founder and chief executive of Sustainable Development Capital, believes the … Continue reading New UK government accused of failing to recognise the savings that could flow from making the nation more energy efficient
Germany’s 9 euro summer rail pass experiment brought many benefits
After three months, the special offer in Germany of the 9-euro ticket for nationwide use on local and regional public transport made tourist highlights accessible at low cost and even achieved some carbon emissions reductions. Some news agencies note that 52 million tickets were purchased during the three month experiment. Kate Connolly discusses in an … Continue reading Germany’s 9 euro summer rail pass experiment brought many benefits
India providing mixed signals in setting the tone for emerging economies to show leadership in climate action
India has the potential to set the tone for emerging economies’ climate action over the coming decade. However, its NDC commitments significantly understate the ambition in its own national climate policies. Tarun Gopalakrishnan, Junior Fellow, Climate Lab at Tufts University, in an article on The Conversation website, discusses India’s climate policies. A tale of … Continue reading India providing mixed signals in setting the tone for emerging economies to show leadership in climate action
New research reveals nearly 9,000 ‘energy crisis hotspots’ in England and Wales
Environmental group Friends of the Earth has found there are 9,000 energy crisis hotspots in England and Wales. These are places where communities are at highest risk of financial hardship because energy use is high and the typical household income is below the national average. In most cases, energy use is high in these areas … Continue reading New research reveals nearly 9,000 ‘energy crisis hotspots’ in England and Wales
Dozens of local energy cooperatives ¬– citizen-owned initiatives investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency – in operation in Belgium
Gabriela Baczynska writes on the Reuters website about energy cooperatives in Belgium. These cooperatives, which rely on their own production rather than buying from volatile markets, have seen a huge spike in demand as the energy crunch has hit consumers. Many of the cooperatives have also seen demand jump in the current high-inflation environment in … Continue reading Dozens of local energy cooperatives ¬– citizen-owned initiatives investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency – in operation in Belgium
The German government plans a new digitalisation strategy that could pave the way for greater energy efficiency
Edgar Meza writes on the Clean Energy Wire website about German plan that would help the energy sector “de-bureaucratise” and accelerate the rollout of smart meters. What are your views? Germany aims to push energy efficiency with digitalisation strategy The German government plans a new digitalisation strategy that could pave the way for greater energy efficiency in the … Continue reading The German government plans a new digitalisation strategy that could pave the way for greater energy efficiency
New bioclimatic and self-sufficient cabins have been installed to house the shepherds working in some of the high valleys of the Pyrenees
A new transportable solar-powered module provided by the Catalan government for shepherds is described in a news article on the mayor.eu website. What do you think? Catalan shepherds get energy efficient with new cabin The Catalan Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda announced that it has installed a new bioclimatic and self-sufficient … Continue reading New bioclimatic and self-sufficient cabins have been installed to house the shepherds working in some of the high valleys of the Pyrenees
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 