Comparing France and Germany in their building renovation strategies

To achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the question of renovating buildings to be more energy-efficient is of crucial importance. More than ever before, it is the subject of debate on both sides of the Rhine. Lucie Duboua-Lorsch and Lukas Scheid report on the EURACTIV website. Energy-efficient building renovation: a Franco-German challenge Even before the … Continue reading Comparing France and Germany in their building renovation strategies →

By shifting current policies and fundamental program designs, next-generation energy efficiency programmes can be a crucial tool for meeting deep carbon-reduction goals

Val Jensen writes on the Greentech media website about the need to revamp energy efficiency programmes to meet long-term energy and climate objectives. While he speaks about the United States, there are no doubt lessons for all of us. Revamped Energy Efficiency Programs Are the Key to Deep Carbon Reductions Across the U.S., governments … Continue reading By shifting current policies and fundamental program designs, next-generation energy efficiency programmes can be a crucial tool for meeting deep carbon-reduction goals →

Blog from Stuart Fairlie: Don’t reinvent the wheel for commercial property retrofit

In the same way that Government-approved technical standards provided the foundation for the Green Homes Grant and the low energy retrofit of millions of UK homes, so similar energy efficiency standards are now being developed that should pave the way for the retrofit of commercial buildings. The only trouble is, the first draft of these … Continue reading Blog from Stuart Fairlie: Don’t reinvent the wheel for commercial property retrofit →

Concerns about “net-zero energy ready” buildings in Canada

As many countries around the world are planning on ambitious energy efficient buildings, Canada has run into some problems for new buildings. John Bleasby discusses latest developments in an article on the Daily Commercial News website Energy efficiency advocates concerned about direction of 2020 NBC Two groups representing Canada’s leading edge of building energy … Continue reading Concerns about “net-zero energy ready” buildings in Canada →

Targets for emissions cuts released by Chinese government this week

China will use energy more efficiently over the next five years and expects its carbon emissions to be on a steady decline by 2035 at the latest, according to a roadmap for the country's development released after top-level political meetings this week. Kevin Foster explains latest developments on the Argus website. China lays out … Continue reading Targets for emissions cuts released by Chinese government this week →

Two new EEA reports on the need for action to improve adaptation nationally and locally

Despite the increasing awareness of climate change impacts and the need to adapt, many of Europe’s cities and towns are struggling to handle the impacts of heatwaves, severe droughts and destructive floods. Two European Environment Agency (EEA) reports published today stress the urgent need for action to improve adaptation and resilience at local and national … Continue reading Two new EEA reports on the need for action to improve adaptation nationally and locally →

Irish government publishes new climate law which commits Ireland to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050

Paul O’Donoghue writes on the Times website about a new climate action bill published by the Irish government. The bill is a positive step forward for the climate agenda, but also for Ireland. It will make Ireland a leader when it comes to climate action. Climate change bill ‘will improve poor emissions record’ The … Continue reading Irish government publishes new climate law which commits Ireland to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 →

Sweden tops the World Economic Forum’s Energy Transitions Index

Harry Kretchmer writes on the WEForum website about the progress that Sweden has made in its energy transition and that the country now tops the WEF Energy Transitions Index. How is your country doing? Transforming homes into power stations - how Sweden is disrupting energy production 54% of Sweden’s power comes from renewables and … Continue reading Sweden tops the World Economic Forum’s Energy Transitions Index →

While Germany has seen recent gains in renewable energy there is still a long way to go to reach the 65% renewable target by 2030

While all the world has been watching Germany’s ambitious Energiewende (energy transition), while there have been many improvements there are still many challenges to reach its long-term goals. Recent developments in renewables is described in a news item on the renews.biz website. German renewables hits 'almost 50%' of consumption Renewable energy accounted for 48% … Continue reading While Germany has seen recent gains in renewable energy there is still a long way to go to reach the 65% renewable target by 2030 →

UK government agrees to review energy policy after pressure from environmental campaigners

Campaigners have been concerned that the current National Policy Statement that dates back to 2011 allows for new fossil fuel projects to proceed. The government has now agreed to review its national energy policy in light of the UK’s more ambitious climate targets. Madeleine Cuff explains in an article on the inews website. Green … Continue reading UK government agrees to review energy policy after pressure from environmental campaigners →