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
Forty years of conflict have left many Afghans on the edge of survival — and highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change
The past 30 years have brought flood, drought and hunger to Afghanistan. With the Taliban sweeping to power, many within and outside of the country wonder how to deal with looming climate disaster. Jennifer Collins discusses the situation in Afghanistan in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Amid Taliban takeover, climate change could … Continue reading Forty years of conflict have left many Afghans on the edge of survival — and highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change
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
At the start of this UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Sudbury model for industrial restoration is an important recipe to apply to climate change
Sudbury, Ontario was an environmental disaster with its nickel and copper mines and smelters. INCO (now Vale) in Sudbury was the world’s largest nickel producer at one time and was the subject of my master’s thesis. Nadia Mykytczuk, Interim CEO/President of MIRARCO at Laurentian University writes on The Conversation website about the transformation of the … Continue reading At the start of this UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Sudbury model for industrial restoration is an important recipe to apply to climate change
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
Good EPC ratings have little impact on house prices in Britain
Rozi Jones writes on the Financial Reporter website that analysis from Nationwide shows limited impact on house prices of improvements in energy performance of buildings. There is a 1.7% house price premium for an owner-occupier property with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A or B, compared to a D-rated home, according to data … Continue reading Good EPC ratings have little impact on house prices in Britain
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
Industry and Europe’s “Fit for 55” package
In July the European Commission adopted a package of proposals – called the Fit for 55 package – to make the EU’s climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. As the Commission states, achieving these emission reductions in … Continue reading Industry and Europe’s “Fit for 55” package
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
Important step forward in funding renewable energy development in Africa
UK Climate Investments is setting up Africa’s first dedicated renewable energy yieldco. A yieldco is a company that is formed to own operating assets that produce a predictable cash flow, primarily through long term contracts. Bella Weetch writes on the Energy Global website about latest developments. UK Climate Investments to support renewable energy development … Continue reading Important step forward in funding renewable energy development in Africa
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 