From an energy perspective, zero or positive energy districts (PED) provide opportunities to achieve cost-effective levels of high-energy efficiency and renewable energy systems. This newly published report by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) aims to understand how to handle energy performance targets by moving beyond individual buildings towards a district level. This is a … Continue reading New report from JRC: Enabling Positive Energy Districts across Europe: energy efficiency couples renewable energy
Sweden tops the World Economic Forum’s Energy Transitions Index
Harry Kretchmer writes on the WEForum website about the progress that Sweden has made in its energy transition and that the country now tops the WEF Energy Transitions Index. How is your country doing? Transforming homes into power stations - how Sweden is disrupting energy production 54% of Sweden’s power comes from renewables and … Continue reading Sweden tops the World Economic Forum’s Energy Transitions Index
While Germany has seen recent gains in renewable energy there is still a long way to go to reach the 65% renewable target by 2030
While all the world has been watching Germany’s ambitious Energiewende (energy transition), while there have been many improvements there are still many challenges to reach its long-term goals. Recent developments in renewables is described in a news item on the renews.biz website. German renewables hits 'almost 50%' of consumption Renewable energy accounted for 48% … Continue reading While Germany has seen recent gains in renewable energy there is still a long way to go to reach the 65% renewable target by 2030
UK government agrees to review energy policy after pressure from environmental campaigners
Campaigners have been concerned that the current National Policy Statement that dates back to 2011 allows for new fossil fuel projects to proceed. The government has now agreed to review its national energy policy in light of the UK’s more ambitious climate targets. Madeleine Cuff explains in an article on the inews website. Green … Continue reading UK government agrees to review energy policy after pressure from environmental campaigners
Whether dealing with Covid-19 or climate change, listen to the science
Jeffrey Frankel, professor at Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Government writes on The Guardian website about the importance of three things that are also necessary to tackle both Covid-19 and global warming: science, public policy, and international cooperation. Covid-19 and the climate crisis are part of the same battle From early on … Continue reading Whether dealing with Covid-19 or climate change, listen to the science
Reviewing international plans to cut GHG emissions
Jeannette Cwienk writes on the Deutsche Welle website about plans announced to reduce GHG emissions and whether they are enough to meet our Paris climate targets. How successful are international climate efforts? China has joined the EU in presenting new plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But are they doing enough? And how about … Continue reading Reviewing international plans to cut GHG emissions
Discussing the concerns about the EU’s net-zero emissions plans
The net-zero emissions plans in the EU have come under fire because they include not only emissions from fossil fuel burning and cement production, but also CO₂ removal by “carbon sinks” like forests or the soil. Wolfgang Knorr, Senior Research Scientist, Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science at Lund University reviews on The Conversation website what … Continue reading Discussing the concerns about the EU’s net-zero emissions plans
Fast-growing countries can not only develop their own sustainable energy systems but provide a source of learning and knowledge to influence global trends
Radhika Khosla from University of Oxford, Ajinkya Shrish Kamat from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Venkatesh Narayanamurti from Harvard University explain in an article on The Conversation website that globally we have much to learn from India, China and Brazil as we continue with our clean energy transition. What the world can learn from … Continue reading Fast-growing countries can not only develop their own sustainable energy systems but provide a source of learning and knowledge to influence global trends
New JRC report: Untapping multiple benefits: hidden values in environmental and building policies
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has recently published an important new research study on how we can untap the multi benefits from improved energy efficiency in our buildings policies. The untapped / hidden benefits of environmental policies are huge. This piece of research showcases and places a monetary value on the added benefits … Continue reading New JRC report: Untapping multiple benefits: hidden values in environmental and building policies
New Zealand’s top 30 corporations do a poor job reporting on climate change
Jagadish Thaker, Senior Lecturer, School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing at Massey University discusses the concerns about reporting on climate change in New Zealand by its major corporations. New Zealand companies lag behind others in their reporting on climate change, and that's a risk to their reputation New Zealand’s top 30 corporations do a … Continue reading New Zealand’s top 30 corporations do a poor job reporting on climate change
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 