How the UK and others can learn from the German experience in decarbonising its electricity system

Must has been written about the UK’s dismantling of support schemes for promoting renewable energy in particular, but also schemes for energy efficiency. Karoline Rogge and Florian Kern write a good blog on the Sussex Energy Group at SPRU website about how German experience could give valuable lessons for the energy transition. Stimulating innovation … Continue reading How the UK and others can learn from the German experience in decarbonising its electricity system →

Reflecting on the slow death of Britain’s Green Deal

Many posts have been written in recent years about the rise and then demise of the Green Deal. Andrew Warren, a regular contributor to EiD and undoubtedly our most prolific commenter, writes an important post in the November/December issue of the magazine Energy in Buildings and Industry, questioning who is responsible for its slow death. … Continue reading Reflecting on the slow death of Britain’s Green Deal →

India in the spotlight – part 2

Following the other post on India this week, Chris Mooney writes in the Washington Post about how the recent IEA World Energy Outlook highlights developments in India – and for good reason. Why India is about to move to the ‘center stage’ of world energy The disconnect is huge: Even as countries of the … Continue reading India in the spotlight – part 2 →

India in the spotlight – part 1

This week EiD has two posts on India. There is an important reason for that. As, Eduardo Porter writes in the New York Times, India is going to be hammered by climate change. Given its size and rate of economic development, it is also going to increasingly be a major global player in the energy … Continue reading India in the spotlight – part 1 →

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 →