Could the world be sustainable with less efficiency and more GHG emissions?

One week after the publication of the IPCC report on the 1.5°C target, the International Energy Agency released its flagship energy efficiency publication entitled “Energy Efficiency 2018 - Analysis and Outlook to 2040”. In the foreword of the publication, Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol claims, rightly, that “this year’s report is the most comprehensive analysis … Continue reading Could the world be sustainable with less efficiency and more GHG emissions? →

India takes steps to confront its air pollution dilemma

Many of the most polluted cities are in India.  Other environmental concerns are raised all the time. India is going through a transition that is not simple for any country, but particularly for one as large as it. Joanna Slater writes in the Washington Post about efforts to get farmers to be part of the … Continue reading India takes steps to confront its air pollution dilemma →

Smart cities: a conflict repeated the world over, between centuries-old customs and new development trends

How do we find a balance between tradition and modern attempts to digitalise our world. Santa Maria Tonantzintla was set to be one of Mexico’s first smart cities – but residents saw it as an attempt to westernise their town and leave tradition behind.  All of you know there is this on-going tug.  Madeleine Wattenbarger … Continue reading Smart cities: a conflict repeated the world over, between centuries-old customs and new development trends →

Dunkerque – the largest city in Europe to offer free public transport

We have many urban issues to deal with in the low-carbon energy transition.  Air pollution that deals with transport and our built environment is but one of them.  It is encouraging to see that one city in France has taken the bold step to offer entirely free public transport to residents and visitors alike. Kim … Continue reading Dunkerque – the largest city in Europe to offer free public transport →

President Trump has ordered all US federal buildings to improve their energy performance

President Trump is rarely nature's friend, but he has just ordered all US federal buildings to improve their energy performance, explains Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, in an article on the Business Green website. Is Trump turning out to be the champion of the low-carbon energy transition?  Hmmmm.   Why President … Continue reading President Trump has ordered all US federal buildings to improve their energy performance →

Homeowners in Scotland could be legal required to improve energy performance of their dwellings

Andrew Picken wrote on the Sunday Post website that homeowners SNP ministers have revealed that homeowners could be legally required to improve the energy performance of their buildings. It will be interesting to see what finally gets approved.   Energy minister warns that homeowners may in future be legally required to improve energy efficiency The … Continue reading Homeowners in Scotland could be legal required to improve energy performance of their dwellings →

Nobel award winner William Nordhaus’ contributions to address climate change

Much has been written about the Nobel awards for economics presented to William Nordhaus and Paul Romer.  Andrew J. Hoffman and  Ellen Hughes-Cromwick from  the University of Michigan review in an article on The Conversation website about the important contribution of William Nordhaus   Nobel award recognizes how economic forces can fight climate change Yale … Continue reading Nobel award winner William Nordhaus’ contributions to address climate change →

How the legal system can help address climate change

Increasingly, the courts are being used to address environmental concerns.  In Europe we have seen organisations such as ClientEarth active to “empower people and NGOs with the legal rights to bring forward environmental battles of their own.”  Alice Venn, Unit Coordinator in Environmental Law at the University of Bristol, provides a good article on The … Continue reading How the legal system can help address climate change →

Refugee women in Turkey learn about value of renewable energy

There are many refugees now living in Turkey. It is encouraging to read that an NGO is help many refugee women to understand the benefits of renewable energy and even turn those efforts into money making initiatives. Banu Şen explains in an article in the Hurriyet Daily News. Refugee women receive courses on renewable energy  … Continue reading Refugee women in Turkey learn about value of renewable energy →