Carbon performance a necessary complement to energy performance: EU buildings’ policy should address the carbon footprint of construction, says BPIE

The EU’s forthcoming revision of legislation for buildings and construction is a critical opportunity to create policy and investment certainty on how energy performance requirements will be supported by carbon performance rules, says BPIE. New research from BPIE shows that while some EU Member States have introduced comprehensive policy action to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings … Continue reading Carbon performance a necessary complement to energy performance: EU buildings’ policy should address the carbon footprint of construction, says BPIE →

Nasa is corralling companies to demonstrate improved ways to power aircraft via batteries rather than jet fuel

It is encouraging that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) in the US is organizing demonstration tests of electric propulsion. It turns out Nasa has been working on electric planes for the past decade and it is good to see the demonstrations now starting. Oliver Milman discusses latest developments in an article on the … Continue reading Nasa is corralling companies to demonstrate improved ways to power aircraft via batteries rather than jet fuel →

Many buildings could be transformed or redeployed through adaptive reuse for much-needed housing

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the way we use buildings has changed. Many have been working from home. Shops and other buildings have closed or become unused for one reason or another. Norman Day, Lecturer in Architecture, Practice and Design, At Australia’s Swinburne University of Technology writes on The Conversation website about how these buildings can … Continue reading Many buildings could be transformed or redeployed through adaptive reuse for much-needed housing →

Climate change: “We see a growing gap between the rhetoric and what is happing in the energy markets”

The International Energy Agency says massive investment shift is needed in the next decade to get to net zero in 2050. Steven Mufson discusses the recent IEA study in an article on the Washington Post website. A ‘narrow’ pathway to a net zero future for greenhouse gases, IEA says To limit climate change, by … Continue reading Climate change: “We see a growing gap between the rhetoric and what is happing in the energy markets” →

Eurovision – how energy efficiency became a showstopper

This week Europe is enjoying three evenings of the Eurovision Song Contest, two semi-finals and the final on Saturday evening. This has been a wonderful way of bringing Europeans together to watch some great entertaining acts. Watching this week’s first semi-final, it was obvious how great the lighting was. The Eurovision Song Contest website lists … Continue reading Eurovision – how energy efficiency became a showstopper →

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 →

Building smart solar developments on canals in California could bring many benefits

While there have been solar panels installed over canals before in other countries, two academics explain how they could provide many benefits to California’s climate change objectives. Roger Bales, Distinguished Professor of Engineering, University of California, Merced and Brandi McKuin, Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Studies, at the University of California, Santa Cruz discuss the benefits … Continue reading Building smart solar developments on canals in California could bring many benefits →

Scotland’s energy transition: concerns over “dangerous distraction” of carbon capture and storage

Friends of the Earth Scotland said that the ambition to make Peterhead power station greener was just delaying its “inevitable closure”. Greig Cameron discusses latest developments in an article on The Times website. Carbon capture ‘just delays pulling plug’ on gas plant Plans to capture carbon emissions from what has been called Scotland’s most … Continue reading Scotland’s energy transition: concerns over “dangerous distraction” of carbon capture and storage →

Ignore hype over hydrogen heating, UK government told

Hydrogen power should be reserved for powering aircraft and large factories, say experts, dashing hopes gas industry could pivot to piping hydrogen into homes. Madeleine Cuff discusses latest developments in an article on the inews website. End of the road for gas boilers? Researchers give thumbs down to hydrogen heating New research has poured … Continue reading Ignore hype over hydrogen heating, UK government told →