France has made energy sufficiency – the deliberate reduction of energy consumption – one of the three pillars of its decarbonisation strategy, alongside nuclear and renewables. However, Brussels and other European capitals have yet to fully embrace the approach. Paul Messad discusses the French approach in an article on the EURACTIV website. Energy sufficiency, … Continue reading Better understanding of energy sufficiency
Category: national policies
An international first: Dutch wind turbines shut down to prevent migratory birds from flying into the wind turbine blades
NL Times reports that wind turbines were shut down for four hours last weekend to protect migratory birds. It is planned that wind turbines will be shut down more often from this autumn, so that migratory birds can safely travel. Wind turbines at sea shut down for the first time to protect migratory birds … Continue reading An international first: Dutch wind turbines shut down to prevent migratory birds from flying into the wind turbine blades
Canada’s energy transition to net-zero emissions: need to upgrade 600,000 existing homes and 750 million square metres of existing commercial space per year between now and 2040
have to act now, and the shift will require a co-ordinated effort between government, industry and residents. Abdul Matin Sarfraz discusses the challenges and costs in an article on the National Observer website. The cost of turning older buildings into climate-fighting machines While Canada has set a deadline to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions … Continue reading Canada’s energy transition to net-zero emissions: need to upgrade 600,000 existing homes and 750 million square metres of existing commercial space per year between now and 2040
Update on the energy performance of buildings
Improving the energy performance of our buildings is a high priority as countries roll out their net-zero energy transition strategies. This week there were two interesting articles you should be aware of: The Mortgage Solutions website writes that around 80 per cent of landlords have already completed energy efficiency works in the UK. Check out … Continue reading Update on the energy performance of buildings
Dutch government announces major funding for climate measures
A news item on the Dutch News website details the latest funding for climate measures in The Netherlands. The approach is to ensure climate policy ‘works for everyone, no matter where they live, their age or their income.’ Is it enough? Cabinet allocates €28bn to slashing CO2 emissions The cabinet is to spend €28 … Continue reading Dutch government announces major funding for climate measures
UK’s National Grid is preparing to pay people to reduce their electricity usage at peak times again
Emily Gosden writes on The Times website about the plans to pay people to reduce their electricity use at peak times next winter. Are readers aware of such initiatives in other countries? National Grid set to revive ‘demand flexibility’ payments for saving electricity National Grid is preparing to pay people to reduce their electricity … Continue reading UK’s National Grid is preparing to pay people to reduce their electricity usage at peak times again
Britain’s energy transition: can the UK meet its 2030 energy consumption commitment?
As the European Union slashes its gas use by almost 20 per cent, the UK stubbornly refuses to follow suit. Could a lack of Government commitment be hampering progress asks Andrew Warren, Chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, in a column in the April issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry magazine? The … Continue reading Britain’s energy transition: can the UK meet its 2030 energy consumption commitment?
Report details mistakes and lessons to be learned from the past 30 years of France’s energy system
A recent Parliamentary report in France highlighted “the reasons for the loss of sovereignty and energy independence of France”. Le Monde introduced it as “the damning report on France's energy choices, and its loss of sovereignty: "A political rambling that has taken us away from the ecological transition."” Paul Messad discusses the report in an … Continue reading Report details mistakes and lessons to be learned from the past 30 years of France’s energy system
Britain’s energy transition: looking at its building stock, the challenges are daunting to meet the net-zero target
Thursday, March 30th, the UK government announced its net-zero strategy and you can get the main elements of it here in an article on the Guardian website. Jillian Ambrose wrote a very important background article on Monday on the Guardian website, focusing on the negligible progress made in improving the energy efficiency of its building … Continue reading Britain’s energy transition: looking at its building stock, the challenges are daunting to meet the net-zero target
Is there really a need in Britain for small modular nuclear reactors in the net-zero drive?
Next-generation nuclear technologies will divert resources away from cheaper options that can more quickly contribute to energy security and climate goals, argues Andrew Warren, former special advisor to the House of Commons environment committee and a friend of EiD, in an article on the Business Green website. Small modular reactors are a high-risk and … Continue reading Is there really a need in Britain for small modular nuclear reactors in the net-zero drive?
