Henry Fountain writes in the New York Times about the dilemma Norwegians are facing over the benefits they derive from its state-owned energy company and the pressure to give a priority to sustainable climate change policies. Even environmental groups understand that this is not a clear-cut issue. Statoil does not believe the oil and gas … Continue reading Norway’s dilemma between benefiting from state-owned Statoil and from addressing climate change priorities
Category: national policies
India opting for greater use of LEDs in government services
Rajesh Roy and Saurabh Chaturvedi write a good article in the Wall Street Journal India about the efforts underway to switch government lights to LEDs. Hopefully this is a good example that other governments will follow. A Light-Bulb Idea Blinks On: Use LEDs In India’s Halls of Government The power ministry has a plan … Continue reading India opting for greater use of LEDs in government services
Switzerland also has its energy transition
Rolf Wüstenhagen, who teaches at the at the Institute for Economy and the Environment of the University of St Gallen, writes a very informative article on the Swissinfo website about the progress being made in Switzerland in moving towards a more climate-friendly energy system. Energy transition: taking stock and looking ahead “2014 – a … Continue reading Switzerland also has its energy transition
Germany’s energy transition runs into some public concerns
Melissa Eddy writes in the New York Times about the resistance to a high-voltage direct current transmission system that is to carry wind-generated power from north to south. Germans Balk at Plan for Wind Power Lines Germans have welcomed solar panels glinting on their rooftops and windmills looming over their fields, and they have … Continue reading Germany’s energy transition runs into some public concerns
India shows increasing commitment to energy efficiency
While there were mixed results at the UN climate conference in Lima in December, one positive outcome was the commitment of the Indian government to pro-actively promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. Daily News and Analysis India provides an important report India to be pro-active in enhancing energy efficiency: Prakash Javadekar India will be … Continue reading India shows increasing commitment to energy efficiency
India focusing on improving energy performance of industry
Kate Galbraith writes in the New York Times about the progress India is making in encouraging the nation’s industrial plants to improve its energy efficiency. The country knows it has to address its growing GHG emissions and it sees improved energy efficiency as an important step forward. Indian Factories Will Count and Sell Their … Continue reading India focusing on improving energy performance of industry
Potential impact of new minimum performance standards for rental buildings in the UK
The UK is requiring landlords to have their buildings meet a minimum performance level as of 2018. While the initial reaction was muted, now the real estate industry is realising the implications. Aliya Ram and Kate Allen write a good article in the Financial Times about recent developments. Let’s hope the government is not pressured … Continue reading Potential impact of new minimum performance standards for rental buildings in the UK
Latest developments in the roll out of smart meters in the UK
The EU has an ambitious plan for 80% market penetration of smart meters by 2020 as part of the internal electricity and gas market reforms. Emily Gosden writes in The Telegraph on the latest developments in the UK. Widespread installation of electricity and gas "smart meters" was due to begin late next year but could … Continue reading Latest developments in the roll out of smart meters in the UK
Turkey’s battle against large energy-consuming appliances
Turkey does not implement all the EU energy efficiency directives, but it does implement those for Ecodesign (energy-efficient appliances) and for energy labelling. This article in the Daily Sabah shows what is happening with respect to refrigerators. While Turkey follows the Ecodesign directive, it has a special consumption tax which is actually lower for the … Continue reading Turkey’s battle against large energy-consuming appliances
China’s environment is a disaster but the crises of the past year have stirred a greater environmental consciousness
EiD writes frequently and understandably about the situation in China. Given its size and level of environmental concerns, the impact is global. Daniel Gardner, who teaches Chinese history and environment at Smith College and is writing a book on environmental pollution in China, provides an excellent article in the New York Times that gives one … Continue reading China’s environment is a disaster but the crises of the past year have stirred a greater environmental consciousness
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 