Can we have it all?

Our economies, at least in the western world, that we can endlessly consume. Yes, we talk about the circular economy and the Club of Rome, for one, has done a good job promoting it. But, not enough has been done to turn it from theory to practice. George Monbiot writes in the Guardian about why … Continue reading Can we have it all? →

New report by UNEP identifies innovations for scaling up sustainable development financing

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a report, titled 'Pathways to Scale,' which identifies "critical innovations in the US$300+ trillion global financial system that can help bring together the historically separate agendas of financial reform and sustainable development." Drawing on country-level examples of financial market and institutional reforms, the report proposes a number of … Continue reading New report by UNEP identifies innovations for scaling up sustainable development financing →

Letter to the editor on sustainable investing

Per Bolund, Minister of Financial Markets for the Government of Sweden has written a powerful letter to the editor of the Financial Times about a long-term viable investment strategy as we move to a low-carbon economy. This is an issue that we will be addressing more and more in the future, no doubt. Making … Continue reading Letter to the editor on sustainable investing →

Backyard energy plants

Paul Hockenos writes a very good article in Foreign Policy about the green energy revolution taking place in Germany’s backyards. Undoubtedly, this is an important part of Germany’s energy transition. As Hockenos states Germany is increasingly powered by backyard windmills and locally owned solar panels. And he goes on that this complex, patchwork system just … Continue reading Backyard energy plants →

Improving the sustainability of football

All sectors of our economies can make improvements to ensure greater sustainability. This article by Oliver Balch in The Guardian shows the efforts underway in “the beautiful game,” football and even some reference to American football. From organic pitches and recycled turf to footstep power and energy efficient lighting, new technology is taking football closer … Continue reading Improving the sustainability of football →

Skyscrapers turning into plyscrapers

Athlyn Cathcart-Keays writes in the Guardian about a new development of engineered timber that could herald a new era of eco-friendly ‘plyscrapers’. Christchurch welcomed its first multistorey timber structure this year, there are plans for Vancouver, and the talk is China could follow. Wooden skyscrapers could be the future of flat-pack cities around the … Continue reading Skyscrapers turning into plyscrapers →

Latest update on Sustainable Energy Finance

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides the August update on global developments in sustainable energy finance. August 2014 Sustainable Energy Finance Update During the month of August, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the African Development Bank … Continue reading Latest update on Sustainable Energy Finance →

Serious efforts in the energy transition

This is an important article that should make us sit up and take notice. John Vidal writes in The Guardian that the world’s largest private bank predicts large-scale power stations will soon make way for electric cars and new solar technologies. While the article focuses on renewable energy, it also points out the importance of … Continue reading Serious efforts in the energy transition →

World Trade Organisation about to re-start negotiations on green goods

After the failure of the Doha Round, the WTO was paralysed for a considerable period. Now the new head of the WTO is trying to get the ball rolling again, according to Shawn Donnan in the Financial Times. Green goods trade talks set to start The world’s leading economies are due on Tuesday to launch … Continue reading World Trade Organisation about to re-start negotiations on green goods →

The world needs a game changer

In April this year, John Llewellyn wrote an excellent column for eceee on Formula 1 and the need for incentives to encourage innovation. For the Financial Times, John continues talking about vehicles and the need for encouraging inventiveness, possible through some “incentive.” As John says, “It should not take fear to make us motivate talents … Continue reading The world needs a game changer →