With some of the worst levels of energy efficiency in Europe, Britain’s housing stock is in urgent need of a plan to encompass wishes, grants to alleviate fuel poverty as well as installer training. Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, provides his views in his column for the July/August issue of Energy … Continue reading What it takes to urgently improve the energy efficiency of Britain’s housing stock
Category: net zero emissions
New book on thermal design of buildings
The way we heat, cool and ventilate our buildings is central to many of today’s concerns, including providing comfortable, healthy and productive environments, using energy and materials efficiently, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As we drive towards a zero-carbon society, design solutions that combine architecture, engineering and the needs of the individual are increasingly being … Continue reading New book on thermal design of buildings
Measuring “net-zero” emissions is not simple
Emily Chung writes on the CBC website about a new study suggesting that the assumption that a tonne of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is balanced by a tonne removed from the atmosphere may have to be revisited because there are differences, according to the research. Carbon removal study suggests arithmetic to achieve net-zero … Continue reading Measuring “net-zero” emissions is not simple
Energy efficiency at heart of global push to net zero
This is a good summary from Energy in Buildings & Industry about the recent IEA report outlining the roadmap to net zero. Energy-efficiency measures are “front-loaded” in the IEA’s new roadmap to net zero The International Energy Agency’s new roadmap to net zero by 2050 has identified energy efficiency as its' first “key pillar … Continue reading Energy efficiency at heart of global push to net zero
Germany’s energy transition: government reacts to pressure from climate activists and chastened by its highest court
The proposed 2030 climate change targets for Germany are a "gigantic" task that will push the export-reliant economy to hasten its phase-out of coal-fired power plants and cars that run on fossil fuels. Ajit Niranjan discusses latest developments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Germany's more ambitious climate goals pressure industry to … Continue reading Germany’s energy transition: government reacts to pressure from climate activists and chastened by its highest court
“We should get net zero right – not get rid”
There have been lots of discussions recently about the concept of net zero emissions. Some have been criticised for misinterpreting it. Some feel it is not a good concept at all. Richard Black, Honorary Research Fellow, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London; Steve Smith, Executive Director, Oxford Net Zero, University of Oxford; and Thomas Hale, Associate … Continue reading “We should get net zero right – not get rid”
An antiquated energy grid and outdated planning rules are undermining efforts to tackle the climate crisis in Britain
Renewable energy providers call for reform of system that reserves capacity for gas power stations, even when they’re laying idle, writes Ben Chapman on the Independent website. UK’s net zero push undermined by energy grid that holds back renewables Efforts to tackle the climate crisis are being undermined by an antiquated energy grid and … Continue reading An antiquated energy grid and outdated planning rules are undermining efforts to tackle the climate crisis in Britain
Net zero targets are a powerful way to signal common cause between nations but a sense of solidarity requires these targets be consistent with demands for climate justice
The Paris Agreement broke a long-standing political deadlock by allowing each country to develop its own nationally determined contribution to cutting global emissions. Net zero can be an important focus for climate action. Three academics argue that it must not become a set of blinkers that seeks to compel all countries down a single path. … Continue reading Net zero targets are a powerful way to signal common cause between nations but a sense of solidarity requires these targets be consistent with demands for climate justice
Accelerating America’s shift to a carbon-free electric power system
In the last 15 years, the US has seen a dramatic change in its shift to a carbon-free electric power system. Ryan Wiser, Bentham Paulos, Dev Millstein and Joseph Rand from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory write on The Conversation website about this shift. Pay particular attention to what has happened to projected energy demand. … Continue reading Accelerating America’s shift to a carbon-free electric power system
Cutting carbon emissions from construction
Building sites produce emissions and air pollution. Cities, developers and construction machinery manufacturers are looking for ways to clean them up. Chermaine Lee discusses in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Green construction: Creating emissions-free building sites The dust, smell, noise and heat from Hong Kong's many construction sites are often "unbearable" for … Continue reading Cutting carbon emissions from construction
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 