Any major macro-economic transition is going to have winners and losers. This also holds true for the low carbon energy transition that is underway. Tom Bawden writes an important article in The Independent about the big hit that insurance companies could suffer due to huge volumes of fossil fuel reserves that could be left ‘stranded.’ … Continue reading How the low carbon energy transition can affect insurers
New report on the key to reducing cities’ emissions
A report released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) finds that transitioning to modern district energy systems could reduce primary energy consumption by up to 50%. The resulting emission reductions could amount to 60% of those required of the energy sector by 2050 to keep average temperature rise below 2°C, according to the report, titled … Continue reading New report on the key to reducing cities’ emissions
Trying to better understand why some distrust science more than others
Chris Mooney writes a very thoughtful article in the Washington Post about a new study that tries to understand how Americans feel about the use of scientific information to determine government policy, and how they feel about the extent to which it should be funded by the federal government. This is well worth the read. … Continue reading Trying to better understand why some distrust science more than others
Significant misperceptions in our views on renewable energy subsidies
The Press Association in the UK provides an important news item in The Guardian about how we view energy subsidies, in particular wind power subsidies. Recent polling finds misconceptions around wind power despite popular support for the technology. What other important sustainable energy areas do we have misperceptions about? British public thinks wind power … Continue reading Significant misperceptions in our views on renewable energy subsidies
Latest update on climate finance
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides the February update on global developments in climate finance. February 2015 Climate Finance Update During February 2015, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank and the Citi corporation reported on funding and new financial instruments. IDB, … Continue reading Latest update on climate finance
The urgent need to raise Australia’s productivity through ‘energy opportunities’
Keith Orchison writes in Australia’s Business Spectator about the almost totally ignored opportunities to increase the country’s productivity, that lags significantly below the OECD average. This is a good article that brings lessons to all of us. The deafening silence on energy efficiency At a point where teeth-grinding over energy policy (or the lack … Continue reading The urgent need to raise Australia’s productivity through ‘energy opportunities’
The moral maze of the environment
How can it be that the majority of Republicans in the US support action to address climate change yet their representatives in Washington are clearly against such action. There is definitely a disconnect for non-Americans, a recent study in Canada (yes, not in the US) shows that for Republicans there remains a very large gap … Continue reading The moral maze of the environment
Display energy certificates on trial
The EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive gives considerable importance to consumers and the general public in knowing and understanding the energy performance of buildings. For public buildings, the idea was to have Display Energy Certificates (DECs) that would allow the public know the performance of buildings that were deemed part of the public space. … Continue reading Display energy certificates on trial
Buildings coming up to measure . . .
George Putic writes a very interesting article on the Voice of America website about how new technology is dealing with energy simulation, thermo-modeling or architectural design. He argues that what is needed in designing many retrofits is precise configuration of buildings, something that has been very difficult to obtain without great expense. Now a new … Continue reading Buildings coming up to measure . . .
Focus on financing energy efficiency
When we are discussing the EU’s energy efficiency strategy, the elephant in the room is money: where does the funding come from and will there be enough to meet investment needs. On the one hand, most energy efficiency measures are considered to be cost effective and thus it is in the interest of consumers to … Continue reading Focus on financing energy efficiency
