Category: national policies

Quote of the week – We are all Japanese

On July 10th, Gerald Curtis, a professor at Columbia University wrote a commentary in the Financial Times about the Fukushima disaster.  He refers to a recent Fukushima commission report that assessed the factors leading to the tragedy.  His last paragraph reads:  The Fukushima commission report ‘found an organization-driven mindset that prioritized benefits to the organization … Continue reading Quote of the week – We are all Japanese →

Saving energy and enjoying a summer pint of beer

As EiD readers planning to head for the pub during these summer days will be pleased to learn that many local pubs are taking action to save energy.   Defra promises drinkers the UK’s first energy-saving pint By BusinessGreen 09 Jul 2012 Drinkers could soon be supping on a more sustainable pint thanks to new … Continue reading Saving energy and enjoying a summer pint of beer →

What a carbon tax offers to Australians

Australia has taken a bold step forward by approving a carbon tax.  This is an insightful article from the Canberra Times on the opportunities such a tax brings. Carbon tax a chance to rethink our energy use July 1, 2012 Canberra Times Many Australian families will wake up this morning with a sense of uncertainty … Continue reading What a carbon tax offers to Australians →

Feed-in tariffs and German policy

Everyone in Europe is watching Germany so carefully because it has taken a bold stance to decarbonise its economy while at the same time phasing out nuclear and endorsing its commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency.  This article from Renewable Energy Focus provides some insight into the “politics” of trying to achieve all these … Continue reading Feed-in tariffs and German policy →

Sustainable development in the Paris region

Paris is taking a very progressive approach on sustainable development.  You can see from the “Neighbourhood” that there are good things going on in the EiD “quartier.”  This article from Agence France Presse presents a new roadmap that the regional council has recently published.   Sustainable Development: the Ile de France presents its roadmap PARIS … Continue reading Sustainable development in the Paris region →

The challenges for energy efficiency in Russia

EiD has previously had posts on energy efficiency developments in Russia. They are important because Russia is going through a fundamental change on how it relates to energy demand.  Much of the economy is built on energy supply and exporting it to western markets.  But there is also an increasing realisation that its own use … Continue reading The challenges for energy efficiency in Russia →

Energy Saving Trust: stand-by mode wastes £1.3bn on household appliances

A study by the Energy Saving Trust in the UK of energy wasted from stand-by use provides important lessons for all countries.  Even though there have been campaigns and energy performance standards to reduce stand-by consumption, the total impact is still a major concern.   Energy Saving Trust: households waste £1.3bn for leaving gadget switched … Continue reading Energy Saving Trust: stand-by mode wastes £1.3bn on household appliances →

EU holds out hope for UK’s green goods tax break

BusinessGreen reports (below) that the European Commission recently ordered the UK government to repeal a law that allows reduced rates of VAT on insulation materials and solar panels, on the grounds that it fails to comply with the EU's VAT Directive. In a bizarre move, the European Commission suggests a defence that the UK can … Continue reading EU holds out hope for UK’s green goods tax break →

MPs have no idea how to meet the ‘carbon’ target they voted for

When readers asked their MPs to explain how the UK would cut CO2 emissions by 80 per cent, the answers made worrying reading.  This is an important article from Britain's Sunday Telegraph.   MPs have no idea how to meet the 'carbon' target they voted for by Christopher Booker The Sunday Telegraph The great global … Continue reading MPs have no idea how to meet the ‘carbon’ target they voted for →