Increasingly we are reading about the importance of behaviour change and energy efficiency. NestLee Lupkin writes an important article on the energyefficiencymarkets.com website on insights from a recent conference of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy conference. This must be music to the ears of the members of Task 24 of the IEA Demand … Continue reading Reflecting on the role of behaviour change
Linking renewable energy and economic growth
Michigan has had a rough ride over recent years with the demise of the car industry and other such structural changes. But all is not lost. Importantly, there is increasing awareness that economic growth is going to be affected if there is not a more ambitious shift to renewable energy. Emily Lawler writes an important … Continue reading Linking renewable energy and economic growth
Impact of energy efficiency standards in the US
Donald Elliott from Covington & Burling LLP writes an informative article on The National Law Review website about the quiet success of energy efficiency standards. It would be good to see an equivalent article on the success of the Ecodesign Directive in Europe. Energy Efficiency Standards A Quiet Success Electricity consumption in the United … Continue reading Impact of energy efficiency standards in the US
New trial on wind-twinning tariffs
Ben Webster writes in The Times about an important trial underway in London to adapt energy consumption according to when electricity is produced from wind power. How to save money: set alarm, get up and do the ironing Getting up early just to boil the kettle or switch on the washing machine might seem … Continue reading New trial on wind-twinning tariffs
New report by UNEP identifies innovations for scaling up sustainable development financing
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a report, titled 'Pathways to Scale,' which identifies "critical innovations in the US$300+ trillion global financial system that can help bring together the historically separate agendas of financial reform and sustainable development." Drawing on country-level examples of financial market and institutional reforms, the report proposes a number of … Continue reading New report by UNEP identifies innovations for scaling up sustainable development financing
EU emissions trading faces a controversial future
One of the pillars of the EU’s climate change strategy has been its Emissions Trading System yet, even after 10 years, it has not lived up to its expectations. Andrew Warren writes an excellent article in the January issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry magazine, taking us back to the ETS’ beginnings and to … Continue reading EU emissions trading faces a controversial future
Latest developments in the solar car
Nick Butler, who is a regular writer in the Financial Times on energy matters, writes an interesting article on the recent developments in producing a solar powered car. Butler believes that technology, rather than negotiations or enforced sacrifices, is the way to achieve a sustainable energy system and that view comes out quite clear in … Continue reading Latest developments in the solar car
Are fossil fuel companies really influencing Europe’s renewable energy associations?
Arthur Neslen writes an important article in The Guardian about how fossil fuel companies are trying to take control of European renewable energy lobby groups. Does anyone have anything more to add to this? Fossil fuel firms accused of renewable lobby takeover to push gas Major fossil fuel companies and energy utilities have used … Continue reading Are fossil fuel companies really influencing Europe’s renewable energy associations?
Brain power key to our sustainable energy future
Chris Mooney writes an important column in the Washington Post about how our brains will lead our transition to a low carbon energy system. The next energy revolution won’t be in wind or solar. It will be in our brains In the arid lands of the Mojave Desert, Marine regimental commander Jim Caley traveled … Continue reading Brain power key to our sustainable energy future
Why is reforming fuel subsidies so hard?
With the recent dramatic fall in the price of oil, the issue of fuel subsidies comes to the fore again. Alan Beattie writes a good article in the Financial Times about fuel subsidy reform, how subsidies affect our economies and also why it is so hard to remove them. He also shows that there are … Continue reading Why is reforming fuel subsidies so hard?
