New energy strategy for the EBRD

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has played a key role in the transition to market-based economies for countries that were formerly planned economies, primarily under the influence of the former Soviet Union. It was created in 1991 and is now the largest financial investor in its region of operations which now stretches from … Continue reading New energy strategy for the EBRD →

Quote of the week

Guy Newey writes in The Spectator from the UK about renewable costs going to double because of European targets: Reducing carbon emissions is going to cost money. Politicians should stop pretending it is going to be cheap. They should also stop pretending they can control global energy prices or predict the future cost of gas. … Continue reading Quote of the week →

Numbers of the week – 4 and 5

In a recent study by the Overseas Development Institute, Germany ranks 4th and the UK ranks 5th in the group of countries leading in subsidising fossil fuels. The top 11 rich-country emitters (E11) spent $74 billion on subsidies in 2011. Importantly, each of the 11.6 billion tonnes of carbon emitted from the E11 countries in … Continue reading Numbers of the week – 4 and 5 →

Number of the week – $674 billion

Last year, according to the Financial Times, the 200 largest oil and gas companies globally had a capital expenditure of $674 billion for finding and developing new reserves. One has to assume that these companies are not pushing for a sustainable energy future. And one also has to assume that this sum is greater than … Continue reading Number of the week – $674 billion →

Thoughts after the release of the latest IPCC report

I am a regular columnist for the eceee and last week they published this column that I wrote following the publication of the IPCC report. Out of our comfort zone The warnings have been there for a long time, but the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report adds new pressure for much … Continue reading Thoughts after the release of the latest IPCC report →

Pot pourri

There are a few important short news items for EiD readers. World Sustainable Energy Days Please remember that the deadline for submissions for the young researchers programme of World Sustainable Energy Days is October 10th. WSED will be held in Wels, Austria on February 26-28, 2014. More information is available at the WSED website. eceee … Continue reading Pot pourri →

Reviewing the UK’s Green Deal

The following article on the Green Deal was provided by Joanna Nicholson. Joanna is an energy professional turned writer who has a decade of experience in the energy efficiency and renewables sector. Having worked for the Energy Saving Trust and on a variety of community energy projects since 2001, she now works as a freelance … Continue reading Reviewing the UK’s Green Deal →

Quote of the week

David Suzuki, probably Canada’s most recognised environmentalist, recently spoke in Australia following its election of a centre-right government that is showing little interest in climate issues. Suzuki is quoted: “If we don’t listen to science, what are we going to turn to – the Bible? the Qur’an? An advertising agency? Australians are at a very … Continue reading Quote of the week →

Pot pourri

There are many short postings that will be of interest to EiD readers this week. • European Investment Bank (EIB) This summer, the EIB adopted new guidelines to reinforce support for investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy grids following a 10-month review. The EIB will focus on financing energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy … Continue reading Pot pourri →

Number of the week – 500

EiD was quite shocked to read this in The Independent this week: Nearly a fifth of British adults never venture more than 500 metres from their car, according to a damning new report from the National Trust which shows people are getting out and about much less than previous generations.