New EEA report shows cleaner air could have saved significant number of lives in Europe

Air pollution continued to cause a significant burden of premature death and disease in Europe in 2019. A European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis, published this week, shows that improving air quality to the levels recently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) could prevent more than half of the premature deaths caused by exposure to … Continue reading New EEA report shows cleaner air could have saved significant number of lives in Europe →

New IEA energy efficiency report: Global energy efficiency progress is recovering – but not quickly enough

Energy Efficiency 2021 is the IEA’s annual update on global developments in energy efficiency. This year’s edition explores recent trends in energy efficiency markets at the economy-wide and sectoral levels, including developments in policy and investment. The report also focuses on the role of energy efficiency in achieving net zero emissions in the energy sector … Continue reading New IEA energy efficiency report: Global energy efficiency progress is recovering – but not quickly enough →

Highlights of the IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2021

The International Energy Agency has long been accused of undermining climate action. Now, ahead of a global climate summit, it has called on governments to make stronger commitments. Farah Bahgat discusses the main highlights in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. IEA warns world's clean energy transition is 'too slow' Investment in renewable … Continue reading Highlights of the IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2021 →

New EEA report on increased need for knowledge for action in Europe

The European Green Deal has set unprecedented sustainability ambitions for the EU and calls for transformational change across society. To realise such far-reaching changes, Europe needs knowledge for action. This means better uptake and use of existing knowledge, new types of knowledge, new ways of creating knowledge, and, in some policy areas, better data and … Continue reading New EEA report on increased need for knowledge for action in Europe →

New EEA briefing on counting the cost of industrial air pollution

Emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases from large industrial sites in Europe cost society between €277 and €433 billion, in 2017, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis, published this week. About half of the annual cost is caused by just 211 facilities, around 2 % of the largest industrial sites in Europe. … Continue reading New EEA briefing on counting the cost of industrial air pollution →

New EEA briefing on the importance of innovation for sustainability

Innovation is a political priority across Europe that can deliver many benefits for society but also generate costs that are often unaccounted for. A European Environment Agency briefing, published this week, looks at how innovation can respond to sustainability challenges and how Europe needs to look for solutions beyond technological innovation. Innovating for sustainability … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the importance of innovation for sustainability →

UNECE helps Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and the Republic of Moldova scale up cost-effective climate action by improving buildings’ energy efficiency

Improving energy efficiency is a cost-effective means to support economic development while contributing to climate action. On a national scale, energy efficiency helps strengthen energy security, reduce energy expenditure, slow down energy demand growth, reduce investment needs for new generation capacities, and creates green jobs. Out of all sectors of economic activity, in many countries, the buildings sector has the largest potential for cost-effective improvement in energy efficiency and emissions reductions. To help capitalise … Continue reading UNECE helps Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and the Republic of Moldova scale up cost-effective climate action by improving buildings’ energy efficiency →

Flagship DNV report says energy efficiency remains the biggest opportunity to tackling climate change as the world drifts further away from achieving Paris climate agreement

DNV’s annual Energy Transition Outlook presents the results from their independent model of the world’s energy system. It covers the period through to 2050 and forecasts the energy transition globally and in 10 world regions. An article on the evwind website provides a good commentary on the report. Electrification Not Enough to Meet Net … Continue reading Flagship DNV report says energy efficiency remains the biggest opportunity to tackling climate change as the world drifts further away from achieving Paris climate agreement →

New report from BPIE flags ‘make-or-break’ opportunity for climate-neutral buildings in Europe

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is the next of the EU’s energy efficiency directives to be revised this year as part of the European Green Deal, the “Fit for 55” package and the Renovation Wave initiative. The new report, The make or break decade: Making the EPBD fit for 2030, from the Buildings Performance Institute … Continue reading New report from BPIE flags ‘make-or-break’ opportunity for climate-neutral buildings in Europe →

New EEA report on benefits from climate-friendly practices for sourcing raw materials

Climate-friendly practices for sourcing raw materials hold significant potential to cut greenhouse gas emissions in Europe and globally. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report, published this week, focusing on raw material extraction and processing, raw material consumers can use their purchasing power to influence suppliers to become more climate friendly. Including sourcing requirements … Continue reading New EEA report on benefits from climate-friendly practices for sourcing raw materials →