Post-Brexit energy performance standards: to be more ambitious?

The UK Government claims it wants to take the opportunity to set more ‘ambitious’ rules after the end of the post-Brexit transition period. This obviously means that the UK will not stay in ecodesign that is the directive for minimum energy performance standards for products or the energy labelling regulation. This will be quite a … Continue reading Post-Brexit energy performance standards: to be more ambitious? →

Court requires Ireland to come up with more robust and ambitious climate plan

The case was the first of its kind in Ireland and only the second in the world in which the highest national court of law has required a government to increase the ambition of the national climate policy. Brian Mahon explains in an article on The Times website. Victory for Friends of the Irish … Continue reading Court requires Ireland to come up with more robust and ambitious climate plan →

Councils across Britain are failing to enforce energy efficiency regulations for rental properties

Fewer than 20 councils in England and Wales have taken any enforcement action against landlords for renting out cold and draughty properties. Madeleine Cuff discusses the problem in an article on the inews website. Little punishment for landlords flouting energy efficiency rules designed to protect renters Councils are failing to enforce energy efficiency regulations … Continue reading Councils across Britain are failing to enforce energy efficiency regulations for rental properties →

A “systemic change” to society and the economy will be required for Ireland to meet its climate change goals

Brian Mahon writes on The Times website about the challenge facing Ireland as it implements its 2019 climate action plan. Are you having similar challenges in your country? Ireland’s economy ‘must shift to meet climate goals’ Ireland will be able to meet its climate change goals but a “systemic change” to society and the … Continue reading A “systemic change” to society and the economy will be required for Ireland to meet its climate change goals →

In 2015 Australia set an energy productivity goal of 40% improvement by 2030 but so far it has only improved 1.1 percent

Hugh Saddler, Honorary Associate Professor, Centre for Climate Economics and Policy at the Australian National University explains in an article on The Conversation website that Australia is failing miserably to reduce GHG emissions through improved energy efficiency. Australia has failed miserably on energy efficiency – and government figures hide the truth Amid the urgent … Continue reading In 2015 Australia set an energy productivity goal of 40% improvement by 2030 but so far it has only improved 1.1 percent →

Northern Ireland’s unique context, particularly in energy, will require further innovation and a strategic joined up approach to improve energy performance of its buildings

While decarbonisation of the heat network remains one the toughest challenges, an energy efficient building fabric is needed to be both effective in cost savings and emissions reductions. Patrice Cairns discusses the situation in Northern Ireland in an article on The Irish News website. Overhaul of energy performance in existing housing stock essential Under … Continue reading Northern Ireland’s unique context, particularly in energy, will require further innovation and a strategic joined up approach to improve energy performance of its buildings →

Energy transition challenge: the Canadian government backs both climate action and its oil and gas sector

For countries that have based much of their economy on fossil fuel resource extraction, a low-carbon energy transition is a major challenge. Ryan Heath discusses these challenges in an article on the Politico website. Justin Trudeau walks sustainability tightrope Canada has long been on a climate collision course. The country extracts some of the … Continue reading Energy transition challenge: the Canadian government backs both climate action and its oil and gas sector →

Climate campaigners issued proceedings for a judicial review of the energy planning policies in UK

After officials refused to overhaul the rules, climate campaigners issued proceedings for review of rules supporting fossil fuel projects. Jillian Ambrose discusses the latest developments in an article on The Guardian website. Legal case launched over UK's 'outdated' energy policies The government faces a legal challenge over a set of “outdated” energy policies which … Continue reading Climate campaigners issued proceedings for a judicial review of the energy planning policies in UK →

The US Environmental Protection Agency has been busy finding reasons not to pursue long-lasting air quality gains

We are increasingly discouraged by the environmental policies of the Trump administration. H. Christopher Frey, the Glenn E. Futrell Distinguished University Professor of Environmental Engineering at North Carolina State University writes in an article on The Conversation website about the EPA’s latest rejection of science that will have an impact on air quality. EPA … Continue reading The US Environmental Protection Agency has been busy finding reasons not to pursue long-lasting air quality gains →

France’s energy transition: planning for 40 per cent renewables in the power sector by 2030

For a country that has relied on nuclear power for decades, it is interesting to see how its energy transition has evolved. France has recently submitted its final 2030 National Energy and Climate Plan to the European Commission, with an aim for 1/3rd renewable energy in its energy mix by 2030. Ayush Verma explains in … Continue reading France’s energy transition: planning for 40 per cent renewables in the power sector by 2030 →