With legal disputes, bad publicity, protests and violence, the transition to a low-carbon economy is not without problems. Robin Hicks explains about some of the human rights concerns in an article on the Eco-Business website. Renewable energy faces growing human rights concerns A sharp rise in renewable energy projects around the world over the … Continue reading The human dimension in the transition to a low-carbon economy
Reviewing the issues in the upcoming Swiss referendum on energy
We get so involved in EU energy and climate policies that we often miss out on important developments in neighbouring countries. Le News provides a good assessment of the issues in the upcoming public vote in Switzerland to approve the draft energy act. Some numbers behind the divisive Swiss vote on energy On 21 … Continue reading Reviewing the issues in the upcoming Swiss referendum on energy
Understanding attitudes to climate change
Denise Balkissoon writes an article in Canada’s Globe and Mail about that group between climate change deniers and climate change believers. What do you think? ‘Climate-change agnosticism’ is a cop-out Is it possible to be a “climate-change agnostic?” And what would that even mean? It’s easy to identify a climate-change atheist, like the President … Continue reading Understanding attitudes to climate change
Re-thinking the design of buildings
We are well aware that the built environment is a key area that has to be addressed in our climate change strategies. Matt Mace explains in an article on the Edie website about some important new design innovations that could have an important impact. Lego block' buildings: Adaptability essential for building stock to combat … Continue reading Re-thinking the design of buildings
What will drive the fourth industrial revolution?
Itai Palti, Director of architecture and design at The Centric Lab, a cognitive neuroscience research lab providing useable and practical insight to the built environment industry, provides an important article on the Quartz website about the role of creativity for our next industrial revolution. Creativity will be the source of our next industrial revolution, … Continue reading What will drive the fourth industrial revolution?
Latest update on climate finance
The SDG Knowledge Hub of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides the March and April update on global developments in climate finance Climate Finance Update: Major Emerging Market Green Bond Fund Launched During the months of March and April, the boards of two major climate funds met, approving a total of US$815 … Continue reading Latest update on climate finance
An idea that morphed into a company that plans to make solar energy the most accessible form of energy in the world
The energy transition requires innovation and not only in technologies but in techniques and business models. Katie Fehrenbacher writes in The Guardian about a company that started with crowdfunding and is now a major accelerator and an incubator in the growing renewable energy world. Powerhouse: the startup making solar the most accessible energy in … Continue reading An idea that morphed into a company that plans to make solar energy the most accessible form of energy in the world
This was the week that was
There is always excitement in the air when you go to a summit. There is something special. It was good to attend the Energy Savings Summit in Brussels organised by the Coalition for Energy Savings. It was good to see old friends and colleagues and meet new people. No doubt the energy efficiency community dealing … Continue reading This was the week that was
African clean energy programme in turmoil
The African head of a $10 billion programme has recently quit, accusing donors of a deliberate strategy to “railroad” Africans into rubber-stamping projects selected by Europeans. Megan Darby writes on the Climate Home website about the turmoil EU, France accused of hijacking ‘Africa-led’ clean energy scheme A $10bn clean energy programme launched at the … Continue reading African clean energy programme in turmoil
Revisions to EU car emissions enforcement strategy opposed by Germany
A German car manufacturer has been at the centre of a global emissions testing scandal. Even given the controversy, the Reuters news service has found out that the German government is going to oppose any overhaul of the enforcement system. Germany opposes key EU car emission test reforms Germany is opposing key elements of … Continue reading Revisions to EU car emissions enforcement strategy opposed by Germany
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 