‘Fuel poverty’ policy changes in the UK

Steve Hawkes writes in The Telegraph about the change in definition of fuel poverty that will remove up to one million people from being considered fuel poor. Is this a good move or not? Campaigners certainly do not think so. Government takes 1m out of fuel poverty - by changing the rules Campaigners criticised … Continue reading ‘Fuel poverty’ policy changes in the UK →

UK struggling to reduce carbon emissions

Roger Harrabin writes on the BBC website about warnings that the UK will not meet its climate change targets. This is somewhat surprising given that the UK showed such confidence that achieving the climate change targets were not in doubt. UK given carbon emissions warning The UK is not on track to hit its … Continue reading UK struggling to reduce carbon emissions →

Loopholes in the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive

Diarmaid William writes for Power Engineering International about how the UK is trying to avoid having to implement some of the main elements of the recently approved Energy Efficiency Directive. So far the UK has not succeeded but there are concerns that loopholes still exist and there is every chance that some EU member states … Continue reading Loopholes in the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive →

China taking more action to address air pollution

Keith Bradsher reports in the New York Times that the Chinese cabinet recently approved new measures to tackle the increasing problem of air pollution. China Sets New Rules Aimed at Curbing Air Pollution China’s cabinet has adopted 10 measures to improve air quality in the latest move aimed at responding to the dense smog … Continue reading China taking more action to address air pollution →

Negawatts gains acceptability in the United Kingdom

SustainableBuilding reports that the UK government is going to include “negawatts” into their energy bill. Negawatts is a term coined by the chief scientist of the Rocky Mountain Institute and environmentalist Amory Lovins in 1989, who recently spoke at the eceee summer study. Government puts ‘negawatts’ in Energy Bill The Government included the ‘negawatts not … Continue reading Negawatts gains acceptability in the United Kingdom →

Consumer Futures, the official UK protection body raises concerns about estimates on cost savings from energy-efficient products

Andrew Oxlade writes in The Telegraph about a report from Consumer Futures that questions official estimates on cost savings of energy-efficient products. Green measures will only save £31 by 2020, says official consumer protection body Consumer Futures, the official UK protection body, today warned the Government its estimates of savings from encouraging consumers to use … Continue reading Consumer Futures, the official UK protection body raises concerns about estimates on cost savings from energy-efficient products →

India looks to better energy performing buildings

Peter Lehner wrote in the Energy Collective about the building boom in India and the role that improved energy performance can play in reducing many of the power supply problems facing the country. The US Natural Resources Defense Council is providing assistance which is undoubtedly welcome and needed. Yet, it is worrying that India still … Continue reading India looks to better energy performing buildings →

Romania’s path to sustainable energy takes twist

Palko Karasz writes in the New York Times about the correction that the country is having to take after the massive expansion of renewable energy in recent years. Romania Changes Course on Renewable Energy With more wind turbines already built than any of its neighbors, Romania has gained a reputation as a prime location … Continue reading Romania’s path to sustainable energy takes twist →

New considerations of shale gas

Nick Butler wrote an excellent blog in the Financial Times that brings some start messages. He firmly believes that the shale “revolution” is real and not going away. He warns the climate change lobby will have to adapt. Is he right? He certainly puts a good case forward for starting from a point of reality. … Continue reading New considerations of shale gas →

Energy companies in the UK facing difficulties promoting energy efficiency

Mat Hope wrote for Carbon Brief about some of the difficulties that energy supply companies are having to meet their obligations. The costs to consumers could be higher than initially estimated. This has important lessons for all of Europe as they start to develop and implement their own obligation schemes. This blog follows an article … Continue reading Energy companies in the UK facing difficulties promoting energy efficiency →