Andrew Warren of the UK's Association for the Conservation of Energy provides an excellent article in Building Magazine about how the European Commission is now treating energy efficiency as the first fuel. He commends this approach and contrasts this with the latest UK position to put old-fashioned supply-side solutions first. What can you say about … Continue reading Rethinking energy efficiency
Making wiser energy decisions: the large gap between intention and action
Alex Verkhivker and Jared Meyer provide an important article on the economics21.org website. Jared Meyer is a fellow at Economics21 at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research and Alex Verkhivker is a contributor to Economics21. They argue that as the academic literature on behavioural economics continues to grow, energy efficiency’s future is poised to engage … Continue reading Making wiser energy decisions: the large gap between intention and action
What is the driver behind our environmental values?
Have you thought about why you have a certain attitude towards environmental issues? Chris Mooney writes in the Washington Post about new that it helps us better understand why different people respond differently to the environment. This is a must read for EiD followers. The surprising psychology behind why some people become environmentalists The … Continue reading What is the driver behind our environmental values?
What is the future of carbon capture and storage?
Arthur Neslen writes a good article in The Guardian about the grim reality of deploying carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. As Neslen argues, in Norway capturing and burying carbon emissions has brought down one prime minister, been likened to a national ‘moon landing’ by another and left the country’s highest-emitting gas plant as a … Continue reading What is the future of carbon capture and storage?
The Road to Paris: focus on Canada
Canada has a very complicated attitude towards addressing climate change. Once a strong proponent of a global approach through the Kyoto Protocol, it changed completely and has confused the global community about what its true priorities are. In Europe, it is now better known for promoting the export of its oil from its tar sands … Continue reading The Road to Paris: focus on Canada
The challenge European car manufacturers face in cutting emissions
The EU has quite stringent standards for reducing the carbon emissions levels of vehicles. This is used instead of a fuel economy standard and reflects the importance of reducing emissions for many reasons. Andy Sharman writes in the Financial Times about the difficulty that many of Europe’s car manufacturers are having in achieving the targets. … Continue reading The challenge European car manufacturers face in cutting emissions
Can we “justify” wasting energy?
This is a must read for all followers of EiD. Chris Mooney writes a very good article in the Washington Post about how we justify our wasteful actions. What do you think about this? The bizarre way that we justify actions that waste energy and are bad for the environment Maybe you are familiar … Continue reading Can we “justify” wasting energy?
Nationally recognised standards for competency-based certification programs important for improving energy performance of buildings
Lauren Zullo, a staff member of the US Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) writes an important article on the NRDC staff blog website about the importance of better training and certification of building energy professionals. Hopefully we are seeing the same attention to workforce guidelines in Europe. New Workforce Guidelines Will Promote Energy Efficiency … Continue reading Nationally recognised standards for competency-based certification programs important for improving energy performance of buildings
Showing that public money often needed for “crazy” ideas
It is hard to know whether to leave technology development to the private sector or whether the public sector has a role to play. Ed Crooks provides a good article in the Financial Times where a US government agency has proven to be a valuable ally. The US energy ideas too crazy for private … Continue reading Showing that public money often needed for “crazy” ideas
This week’s briefs
There are some interesting news briefs this week. • Will the shipping industry switch to LNG? Processing Magazine raises about the possible use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the shipping industry. With increased regulation of emissions, the shipping industry represents a promising new market for LNG and there is industry support for such a … Continue reading This week’s briefs
