China’s removal of renewable energy subsidy will affect fight against climate change

China, the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is also the largest user of energy and amid this, the country's growing population is putting pressure on Beijing to amend plans to fulfil its ever-growing energy needs. China's subsidy policy was mostly to cover excessive installation and production costs of renewable energy but the country has decided … Continue reading China’s removal of renewable energy subsidy will affect fight against climate change

China raises efficiency targets for energy-intensive industries

Eric Ng writes on the South China Morning Post that higher energy efficiency bars have been set in China for companies in sectors ranging from oil refining to non-ferrous metals smelting. The new policies will ‘amplify the trend of the strong getting stronger’, analyst says   Climate Change: China’s new five-year energy efficiency targets to … Continue reading China raises efficiency targets for energy-intensive industries

Irish government launches the National Retrofitting Scheme

The Irish government recently approved a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills. The measures address barriers to undertaking energy upgrades (retrofits) reported by homeowners and those working in the industry. They also reflect the step-change needed – in … Continue reading Irish government launches the National Retrofitting Scheme

The British energy rating scheme, recognised in law, offers a distinctly cold shoulder to the installation of heat pumps

Andrew Warren, who chairs the British Energy Efficiency Federation, warns in an articel on the Business Green website the already considerable challenge of reducing the cost of heat pumps is being complicated by the inability of Energy Performance Certificate surveyors to recommend a switch to greener heating systems   EPCs don't like heat pumps - … Continue reading The British energy rating scheme, recognised in law, offers a distinctly cold shoulder to the installation of heat pumps

Energy bills in the UK are nearly £2.5bn higher than they would have been if climate policies had not been scrapped over the past decade

Everyone is coping with rising energy prices, but recent research shows that scrapped climate policies over the past decade have had costly consequences. Tom Brook discusses in an article on the techradar website.   Cutting green initiatives has added £2.5bn to UK energy bills Previous efforts to slash climate policies are now costing the average … Continue reading Energy bills in the UK are nearly £2.5bn higher than they would have been if climate policies had not been scrapped over the past decade

New Dutch government puts green hydrogen front and centre as part of its climate policy

Mirela Petkova writes on the Energy Monitor website about the priorities for the new government in the Netherlands. On the supply side, the focus will be on green hydrogen and possibly on nuclear power as well. The report does not discuss developments on energy demand. If any readers have insight into what is going on … Continue reading New Dutch government puts green hydrogen front and centre as part of its climate policy

Reaction to IEA’s review of Canada’s energy policies

Bruce Campbell, Adjunct professor, faculty of environmental and urban change, at York University in Canada writes on The Conversation website about the praise the IEA gave Canada’s policies only weeks after the government’s Environment and Sustainable Development Commissioner released a scathing report on Canada’s climate record. Well, no one said the carbon-neutral energy transition would … Continue reading Reaction to IEA’s review of Canada’s energy policies

India must pursue a deep decarbonisation strategy encompassing all pathways

India will need to contend with goals across sectors that are at odds with each other, and resolve the contradictions. Deepak Gupta, former secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Kollura Krishnan, chairman of CVC India Infrastructure, provide their views in an article on the Financial Express website.   Getting it right … Continue reading India must pursue a deep decarbonisation strategy encompassing all pathways

Germany’s new economy and climate protection minister calls for accelerating action to create a climate neutral country

Kate Connolly writes on The Guardian website about the call of the new German climate minister for a threefold increase in the speed with which carbon dioxide emissions are reduced. The minister, Robert Habeck, warned Germany was currently “dramatically behind” in its aim to achieve a goal for 80% of energy to come from renewable … Continue reading Germany’s new economy and climate protection minister calls for accelerating action to create a climate neutral country

US has monumental task to update energy efficiency standards

Nearly three dozen efficiency standards are overdue for an update, and further delays could undercut Biden’s climate goals. Anna Phillips discusses latest developments in an article on The Washington Post website.   Biden faces delays in undoing Trump’s war on efficient dishwashers, dryers and lightbulbs that made him ‘look orange’ Before Donald Trump launched his … Continue reading US has monumental task to update energy efficiency standards