Improving insulation in Britain’s least efficient homes will bring many benefits

The UK government must expand support for most vulnerable households and ramp up retrofitting programme to prevent fuel poverty emergency, businesses and charities warn. Harry Cockburn explains in an article on The Independent website. Insulation is ‘no regrets’ solution to the energy and climate crises, Boris Johnson told Improving insulation on the UK’s least … Continue reading Improving insulation in Britain’s least efficient homes will bring many benefits →

The cost of abating the carbon impact of a proposed third runway at Heathrow has doubled since parliament approved the idea of expansion

While air travel has been subdued because of Covid-19, that does not mean that plans are not underway for expansion. In Britain, several years ago Parliament agreed to add a third runway to Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest airports. However, there is a requirement to offset the carbon emissions of the runway. Recent estimates … Continue reading The cost of abating the carbon impact of a proposed third runway at Heathrow has doubled since parliament approved the idea of expansion →

“Climate alarmism, government intervention and related ideas promoted by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce are clearly contrary to business interests”

Matthew Lau, from Canada’s Fraser Institute, writes on the National Newswatch website about the Ontario Chamber of Commerce says that its embrace of climate science and economics are misguided and no help to business. The Fraser Institute is an independent conservative and libertarian Canadian public policy think tank. What are your views? What are the … Continue reading “Climate alarmism, government intervention and related ideas promoted by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce are clearly contrary to business interests” →

Recent research shows the energy efficiency of homes built in the past 20 years in England varies considerably depending on where you are

As countries such as England are planning to make the housing stock net zero by 2050, recent research shows significant regional differences. Major cities across England and all local authorities across the south and south-east have below average energy intensity while homes in northern local authorities and less built-up urban areas have above average energy … Continue reading Recent research shows the energy efficiency of homes built in the past 20 years in England varies considerably depending on where you are →

Germany’s new coalition government has made bold climate policy the cornerstone of the alliance

A coal phaseout by 2030, more electric vehicles and rapid renewables expansion: Germany's new coalition has promised a climate bonanza. But can the ambitious targets be hit? Stuart Braun discusses in an article posted on the Deutsche Welle website. It would have been good to have read more on their plans to improve energy efficiency. … Continue reading Germany’s new coalition government has made bold climate policy the cornerstone of the alliance →

Climate advisers warn UK is not doing enough to meet net-zero promises

The UK is on track to blow past emissions promises made ahead of COP26 in Glasgow unless tougher policies to cut carbon are introduced this decade, official climate advisers have warned. The CCC said the UK does not need to redraw its targets, but does need to come forward with plans to deliver on what … Continue reading Climate advisers warn UK is not doing enough to meet net-zero promises →

While energy efficiency is the central pillar of France’s low carbon strategy, there is still need to accelerate its clean energy transition according to IEA

The International Energy Agency has published its review of energy policies of France. It is a comprehensive review that examines all aspects of energy policy. The last review of French energy policies was in 2015. France has helped guide international efforts to tackle climate change, but it needs to accelerate key parts of its energy … Continue reading While energy efficiency is the central pillar of France’s low carbon strategy, there is still need to accelerate its clean energy transition according to IEA →

China will implement a new set of energy consumption benchmarks for the nation’s energy-intensive industries from next year, giving owners three years to comply or shut down

Undoubtedly, China has had to find ways to significantly decarbonise. The minimum efficiency standards appear to take an aim at steel and cement producers and aluminium smelters. Yujie Xue writes on the South China Morning Post website about latest developments. China sets efficiency benchmarks for power-hungry industries to meet net-zero goal, hitting shares of … Continue reading China will implement a new set of energy consumption benchmarks for the nation’s energy-intensive industries from next year, giving owners three years to comply or shut down →

UK’s new Heat and Buildings strategy leaves energy efficiency in the dark

Britain’s new Heat and Buildings strategy has finally seen the light of day. But energy efficiency has been left in the dark once again as the spotlight falls on the supply of heat. Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, discusses the issue in a column in the November/December issue of ENERGY IN … Continue reading UK’s new Heat and Buildings strategy leaves energy efficiency in the dark →

The new heat and buildings strategy boosts the UK’s credentials as a global leader yet it has ignored some critical actions

With much fanfare, the UK government announced its heat and buildings strategy last week. Ran Boydell, Visiting Lecturer in Sustainable Development at Heriot-Watt University discusses the strategy to see if it is fit for purpose to help Britain achieve its net-zero objectives in an article on The Conversation website. Heat and buildings strategy: the … Continue reading The new heat and buildings strategy boosts the UK’s credentials as a global leader yet it has ignored some critical actions →