The world is starting to take “green” finance seriously

While we don’t always have a precise definition, we seem to know when we don’t have green finance. However, the world is embracing green finance as never before and all expectations are that this will increase as we move towards a low carbon economy. Financial systems should play an important role in the green economic … Continue reading The world is starting to take “green” finance seriously

Good policies start with good analysis but . . .

Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, has written an excellent article in the April issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry, about how government analysis in the UK has repeatedly (and we are talking decades) failed to understand the dynamics of changes in energy consumption. Yet, it is more important than that … Continue reading Good policies start with good analysis but . . .

The passive house concept is gaining acceptance

As global temperatures reach record highs, developers of cool, energy-efficient houses are in demand. Paul Miles provides an excellent article in the Financial Times in advance of the the 20th International Passivhaus Conference that will take place on April 22 and 23 in Darmstadt, Germany.   Divine insulation: passivhaus architecture The period between 2011 and … Continue reading The passive house concept is gaining acceptance

Reviewing China’s latest policy announcement on renewable energy

Max Dupuy and Wang Xuan write on the Energy Collective website about Document 625, the Chinese government’s latest policy announcement on renewable energy developments. This is intended to require grid companies to purchase from renewable energy operators. This is a detailed assessment that you should appreciate.   China’s String of New Policies Addressing Renewable Energy … Continue reading Reviewing China’s latest policy announcement on renewable energy

The controversies around energy companies sponsoring cultural events

Oil companies have a long tradition of sponsoring cultural events. In this energy tradition, however, there is growing concern that this should stop, given we are doing all possible to address climate change. Nick Butler provides a good blog in the Financial Times that argues that such sponsorship should be accepted. What are your views? … Continue reading The controversies around energy companies sponsoring cultural events

Improving energy efficiency in Israel to bring big benefits

The Israel Hayom website published an important news item that the Israeli Cabinet recently unanimously approved a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency. What is important is what they see as the important economic benefits from such a policy. It would be good to see other countries understanding this and taking … Continue reading Improving energy efficiency in Israel to bring big benefits

Environmental concerns seem to be the exception, not the rule, in the world of computing

Nathan Ensmenger, an associate professor in the School of Informatics and Computing at Indiana University, provides a fascinating article on the environmental impact of computers on the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists website. He reflects on four environmental aspects of the online economy that deserve serious scrutiny from consumers, producers, and regulators alike. You should … Continue reading Environmental concerns seem to be the exception, not the rule, in the world of computing