Lowering the forecast for electricity because of the expected impact of energy efficiency

India’s power ministry has revised its forecast for demand thanks to new energy efficiency targets and power-saving devices. Gireesh Chandra Prasad gives a good account of this on the LiveMint website from India. Interestingly, it reminds EiD of the recent post by Andrew Warren where he criticised the UK government of repeatedly failing to understand … Continue reading Lowering the forecast for electricity because of the expected impact of energy efficiency

Giving communities access to cheaper solar power

Madeleine Cuff writes on the Business Green website that a new initiative in New York City, Solarize NYC, will allow communities to join together into single purchasing groups to access cheaper solar power. There could be some important lessons for Europe as the introduction of nearly zero energy buildings with the needed energy coming from … Continue reading Giving communities access to cheaper solar power

Improving energy efficiency will bring big benefits to cities

We are seeing more evidence every day about the importance of cities in promoting sustainable energy. David Chandler writes on the MIT website that retrofitting a small portion of buildings would have big impact on cities’ carbon emissions. And more importantly, the study shows how to identify those buildings that will have the biggest impact. … Continue reading Improving energy efficiency will bring big benefits to cities

Using drones to observe energy performance of buildings

Only last week, EiD provided a use of drones to help planning applications for wind farms. Now we have a news item from The Engineer website on an initiative of students at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland.  It is quite impressive.   Strathclyde students monitor energy efficiency with drones Students are coupling thermal imaging … Continue reading Using drones to observe energy performance of buildings

Important new step forward for energy policy in the US

When the US Senate passes a bipartisan bill it is big news – and it is. Chris Mooney writes a good article in the Washington Post about what it all entails.   The Senate just passed — overwhelmingly — an actually bipartisan energy bill It doesn’t happen every day, but it did happen Wednesday. The … Continue reading Important new step forward for energy policy in the US

UNEP Inquiry Publishes New Report on Sustainable Finance in the EU

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System initiative published a new report entitled Building a Sustainable Financial System in the European Union. Building a sustainable financial system in the European Union can support long-term economic and environmental goals, boost international competitiveness, and advance the EU’s strategic role … Continue reading UNEP Inquiry Publishes New Report on Sustainable Finance in the EU

How improved energy efficiency helps low-income families

Khalil Shahyd provides a good blog on the National Resources Defense Council website about a recent study showing the importance of urgently expanding energy efficiency programmes to vulnerable communities.   Study Highlights Energy Burden for Households and How Energy Efficiency Can Help A new study out today confirms that low-income, households of color, multifamily and … Continue reading How improved energy efficiency helps low-income families

Oil price collapse brings some unfortunate results

We all welcome the energy transition but that transition can bring some unexpected results. While the international community is by and large doing everything possible to minimise the damage to vulnerable countries in developing countries, one aspect that we did not always think about was the loss of earnings to these countries – from remittances. … Continue reading Oil price collapse brings some unfortunate results

Pressure growing for shipping and aviation to take stronger steps to curb pollution

This is not the first time that both shipping and aviation have been criticised for not playing a more effective role in address environmental concerns, mainly with respect to climate change. Henry Fountain writes in the New York Times about the pressure on those two industries to play a greater role. Well, do we blame … Continue reading Pressure growing for shipping and aviation to take stronger steps to curb pollution