Norway’s dilemma between benefiting from state-owned Statoil and from addressing climate change priorities

Henry Fountain writes in the New York Times about the dilemma Norwegians are facing over the benefits they derive from its state-owned energy company and the pressure to give a priority to sustainable climate change policies. Even environmental groups understand that this is not a clear-cut issue. Statoil does not believe the oil and gas … Continue reading Norway’s dilemma between benefiting from state-owned Statoil and from addressing climate change priorities →

Comparing air pollution levels around the world

The New York Times has a service called The Upshot that undertakes targeted news analysis, data visualisations, commentary and historical context. Recently Michael Greenstone, the Milton Friedman professor of economics at the University of Chicago, who heads the Energy Policy Institute, wrote an analysis about comparing the pollution challenges globally. It does provide some interesting … Continue reading Comparing air pollution levels around the world →

Looking to Denmark to inspire China’s ‘war on pollution’

Christian Oliver writes an excellent analysis in the Financial Times about the lessons China is learning from Denmark about addressing urban air pollution. There are lessons for more than China.   The urban environment: Clean-up time Before China’s leaders declared their “war on pollution” in March, they had already recruited help from abroad. The northern … Continue reading Looking to Denmark to inspire China’s ‘war on pollution’ →

Educating people how to understand energy saving features in buildings increases the impact

The Green Building Elements website writes an important article on the importance of the behaviour of people in maximising energy savings. Those savings, however, come through good education.   People Are the Key to Energy Efficiency Click Green reports that research conducted by Washington State University shows people are key to energy efficiency and that … Continue reading Educating people how to understand energy saving features in buildings increases the impact →

India opting for greater use of LEDs in government services

Rajesh Roy and Saurabh Chaturvedi write a good article in the Wall Street Journal India about the efforts underway to switch government lights to LEDs. Hopefully this is a good example that other governments will follow.   A Light-Bulb Idea Blinks On: Use LEDs In India’s Halls of Government The power ministry has a plan … Continue reading India opting for greater use of LEDs in government services →

Switzerland also has its energy transition

Rolf Wüstenhagen, who teaches at the at the Institute for Economy and the Environment of the University of St Gallen, writes a very informative article on the Swissinfo website about the progress being made in Switzerland in moving towards a more climate-friendly energy system.   Energy transition: taking stock and looking ahead “2014 – a … Continue reading Switzerland also has its energy transition →

Germany’s energy transition runs into some public concerns

Melissa Eddy writes in the New York Times about the resistance to a high-voltage direct current transmission system that is to carry wind-generated power from north to south.   Germans Balk at Plan for Wind Power Lines Germans have welcomed solar panels glinting on their rooftops and windmills looming over their fields, and they have … Continue reading Germany’s energy transition runs into some public concerns →

The season for bubbly is not over

While many of us have enjoyed a sip or two of champagne (or equivalent) over the festive season, researchers are realising that champagne can play an important role in designing energy efficient turbines and systems, as reported by the News Everyday website.   Champagne Helps Researchers Better Understand Energy Efficiency Bubbling champagne may have just … Continue reading The season for bubbly is not over →

India shows increasing commitment to energy efficiency

While there were mixed results at the UN climate conference in Lima in December, one positive outcome was the commitment of the Indian government to pro-actively promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. Daily News and Analysis India provides an important report   India to be pro-active in enhancing energy efficiency: Prakash Javadekar India will be … Continue reading India shows increasing commitment to energy efficiency →