Implementing climate and energy policies in the US take innovative directions

Policies really are evolving in the US even if it is a bumpy road. Maggie Haberman provides a good article in the New York Times on an interesting approach using advertising.   Bloomberg Targets Attorneys General With Ads on Carbon Emissions Former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York City said this week that he … Continue reading Implementing climate and energy policies in the US take innovative directions

Energy policy is now a higher priority in the political agenda in America

We all watch attentively at what the United States does in energy policy or climate change policies. The divisions between the executive and congress get much attention. The divisions between the Republicans and the Democrats equally get much attention. With the next presidential election race gaining momentum, Nick Butler writes an excellent blog in the … Continue reading Energy policy is now a higher priority in the political agenda in America

Small changes can have an enormous impact

Irish eyes will be smiling by the comments of Dr. Kristina Johnson, former US energy under-secretary who sees great potential for Ireland being a prototype for crowdsourcing and prosumers. Lorna Siggins explains in The Irish Times.   Making renewable energy fun: crowdsourcing and prosumers Former US energy under-secretary Dr Kristina Johnson doesn’t carry a crystal … Continue reading Small changes can have an enormous impact

Politics and climate change in America

Many people I’ve talked with recently have raised concerns about the climate negotiations in Paris. The concern is that the Obama Administration may agree to an ambitious target but will Congress endorse it.   Eduardo Porter writes a thoughtful article in the New York Times about the political party that we all worry about – the … Continue reading Politics and climate change in America

Reflecting on Turkey’s sustainable energy future

Everyone is preparing for the global climate conference in Paris later this year. Dr. Jörn Richert, assistant professor for energy governance at the Institute of Political Science at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, discusses in the Hurriyet Daily News the issues confronting Turkey as the country tries to be an important player on the … Continue reading Reflecting on Turkey’s sustainable energy future

Investors need clear long-term policy signals but this is unfortunately lacking in the UK, many say

Criticism of the UK’s energy policy is coming from many sides. Fiona Harvey writes a good article in The Guardian about the lack of clarity damaging investment. There is a good quote by Michael Grubb, well known to many of us: “There is no evidence that privatised or nationalised energy systems are better. What really … Continue reading Investors need clear long-term policy signals but this is unfortunately lacking in the UK, many say

This week’s briefs

There are some good brief news items this week.   • WSED Young Researchers Conference Only a few days remain to submit a paper. The deadline is October 9th. The annual World Sustainable Energy Days [http://www.wsed.at/en/world-sustainable-energy-days/] in Wels, Austria has grown from strength to strength over recent years. The World Sustainable Energy Days are organised … Continue reading This week’s briefs

Even a Prime Minister gets involved in discussing renewable energy

You know the low carbon transition is underway when a Prime Minister takes an active role chairing a meeting on renewable energy. The Hindustan Times reports on a recent roundtable in India chaired by Prime Minister Modi. This is certainly a welcome development.   Modi chairs roundtable on renewable energy with top CEOs Prime Minister … Continue reading Even a Prime Minister gets involved in discussing renewable energy