Category: national policies

When Irish eyes are smiling

Jessica Kennedy writes for EnergyBiz about the success in 2012 of government programmes in improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.   Energy Efficiency for a Greener Ireland Ireland has recently made news with its efforts in energy efficiency and sustainability. According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), 2012 was a landmark … Continue reading When Irish eyes are smiling →

India looks to energy efficiency in buildings

Radhika Khosla recently wrote for the Natural Resources  Defense Council’s blog on the aftermath of the Clean Energy Ministerial recently held in New Delhi.  Importantly, India is looking to improved energy performance of high rise buildings and NRDC launched an important new report on the importance of energy efficiency in buildings.  These are all important … Continue reading India looks to energy efficiency in buildings →

An ACE effort

The UK’s Association for the Conservation of Energy has produced an excellent “fact-file” comparing fuel poverty and energy efficiency in the UK to 15 other European countries with comparable levels of prosperity and heating need. It ranks these countries against six key indicators for which consistent and recent European data are available to assess the … Continue reading An ACE effort →

Renewable energy policy in Romania hits rocky patch

Luiza Ilie writes for Reuters news agency about the cut in support for renewable energy, following cuts in many other EU countries.   Romania plans to reduce support for renewable energy Romania's government will cut its support scheme for wind, solar and small hydro renewable energy projects to avoid overcompensating investors, energy regulator ANRE said … Continue reading Renewable energy policy in Romania hits rocky patch →

New energy efficiency regulations for renovation work in Finland

Finland’s Ministry of the Environment issued new regulations on February 27th for improving the energy efficiency of buildings during renovation and alteration works. The regulations will come into effect on June 1, 2013 for buildings in public use and on September 1, 2013 for other buildings. The regulations define the minimum requirements for energy efficiency … Continue reading New energy efficiency regulations for renovation work in Finland →

UK’s Green Investment Bank supports new energy efficiency initiative

Louise Downing writes for Business Week about an investment by the GIB for an energy innovation centre for hospitals in Cambridge.   U.K. Green Bank Backs Energy Efficiency Center for Hospitals The U.K. Green Investment Bank provided 18 million pounds ($27 million) to build a facility in Cambridge, southeast England, that will include a biomass … Continue reading UK’s Green Investment Bank supports new energy efficiency initiative →

Backlash?

In February, the Bulgarian government resigned amidst protests about high electricity prices and other austerity measures that were considered too harsh on consumers.  While many other governments have fallen recently because of austerity measures, the Bulgarian case was the first to relate specifically to energy prices.  Now we are seeing increasing frustration in the UK … Continue reading Backlash? →

Potential for energy savings in Romania

Romania Insider provides a good article on energy efficiency measures that can be deployed in Romania to good effect.  It is based on the study from a new industry association promoting energy efficiency in Romania.   Study: Energy efficiency measures can save Romania some EUR 7.4 billion Romania has the potential to cut its energy … Continue reading Potential for energy savings in Romania →

The benefits of better information on energy efficiency

Meg Handley writes in USNews.com about a new report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy on the savings that consumers could achieve if there was better information available.   Consumers Could Save $1 Trillion With Better Energy Efficiency Information "The report is spot on—existing technologies and anticipated technologies could be realized without significant … Continue reading The benefits of better information on energy efficiency →