Even China is having problems financing energy savings

Charlie Zhu of Reuters news service provides an excellent review of the situation in China today and the effect of the financial credit crunch.  There is a big impact on energy service companies that are used for both energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.   Credit crunch stifles Chinese energy savings sector A credit crunch … Continue reading Even China is having problems financing energy savings

Public consultation launched on linking Australian, EU Emission Trading Systems

Australia's Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) have launched an online public consultation on registry options for linking the Australian and European Union emission trading systems. The DCCEE and DG CLIMA jointly authored a consultation paper on “Registry Options to Facilitate Linking of … Continue reading Public consultation launched on linking Australian, EU Emission Trading Systems

What is going on in energy efficiency in the UK?

For the past couple of weeks, EiD has had posts on the VAT spat that the British government is having with the European Commission.  Already this year, there have been raised concerns about the flagship financing programme, the Green Deal.  Now we have another major issue that appears to be going to the courts to … Continue reading What is going on in energy efficiency in the UK?

India’s latest energy efficiency efforts turn to the market

Ashwini Swain writes in Business Standard about new initiatives in India to unlock energy efficiency opportunities.  This is a good article for those who want to learn more about what is going on in India.  Taking energy efficiency to the market India's current initiatives to unlock energy efficiency opportunities rely heavily on market players for … Continue reading India’s latest energy efficiency efforts turn to the market

More on UK’s VAT issue with European Commission

In the recent post on Britain's taxing issue, EiD quoted Andrew Warren, Director of the UK Association for the Conservation of Energy.  Following other comments that EiD has received, Andrew has kindly provided the following extended note.  As all Europeans are trying to address how to finance energy efficiency investments, this is an important issue … Continue reading More on UK’s VAT issue with European Commission

Letter to the editor of The Independent

This is a very interesting letter to the editor of a major British newspaper published February 12th.  It was written by a friend of EiD, Bill Bordass, who has been part of a group battling with how the UK government is implementing the display of energy performance certificate.  Our red tape John Morgan . . … Continue reading Letter to the editor of The Independent

Energy taxes in the US now being discussed

Eduardo Porter wrote recently in the New York Times about the pros and cons of introducing energy taxes in the US.  Droughts and hurricanes are starting to stir some debate.  But the conclusion is that, even with all the benefits of new energy taxes, the US seems a long way off from introducing them. In … Continue reading Energy taxes in the US now being discussed

Is the Green Deal a big deal?

Everyone in Europe is watching with great interest how the Green Deal will be implemented in Britain.  It is one of the big “experiments” in trying to improve financing for building retrofits.  The Green Deal has just started and it has, not surprisingly, gained much press attention.  This article by Lisa Bachelor for The Observer … Continue reading Is the Green Deal a big deal?