Germany’s plan for a major energy transition, including phasing out nuclear power, came under the scrutiny of the Financial Times this week. The FT sees Merkel’s decision to eliminate nuclear power as a huge mistake. But the argument is deeply flawed because the FT makes no reference to Germany’s comprehensive plans to reduce energy demand … Continue reading Dissecting Germany’s energy policy
Improving the sustainability of football
All sectors of our economies can make improvements to ensure greater sustainability. This article by Oliver Balch in The Guardian shows the efforts underway in “the beautiful game,” football and even some reference to American football. From organic pitches and recycled turf to footstep power and energy efficient lighting, new technology is taking football closer … Continue reading Improving the sustainability of football
Latest update on sustainable energy finance
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides the September update on global developments in sustainable energy finance, following last week’s update of climate finance. September 2014 Sustainable Energy Finance Update During the month of September, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Asian … Continue reading Latest update on sustainable energy finance
Tweaking lifestyles is not enough . . .
There is a growing number of articles showing that energy efficiency is so difficult and will produce such modest results, that needed impact will only come from the supply side. This is an article from John Hofmeister, a former president of Shell Oil Co. and founder and head of Citizens for Affordable Energy. He wrote … Continue reading Tweaking lifestyles is not enough . . .
Skyscrapers turning into plyscrapers
Athlyn Cathcart-Keays writes in the Guardian about a new development of engineered timber that could herald a new era of eco-friendly ‘plyscrapers’. Christchurch welcomed its first multistorey timber structure this year, there are plans for Vancouver, and the talk is China could follow. Wooden skyscrapers could be the future of flat-pack cities around the … Continue reading Skyscrapers turning into plyscrapers
The challenge is to modernise, renovate and reinterpret the Eiffel Tower while maintaining its spirit
Last week EiD described the trend to convert its iconic red phone boxes to be able to charge mobile phones. This week, we cross the channel and show what is happening to the Eiffel Tower. Kim Willsher provides an excellent article in The Observer of the changes underway. Solar panels and glass floors: it's … Continue reading The challenge is to modernise, renovate and reinterpret the Eiffel Tower while maintaining its spirit
New IEA report on the energy efficiency market
The International Energy Agency has recently published its 2014 edition of its Energy Efficiency Market Report. This year's report includes an in-depth look at energy efficiency developments in the transport sector and in finance. Significant demand for mobility is emerging in OECD non member economies, bringing with them the challenges of pollution and congestion already … Continue reading New IEA report on the energy efficiency market
Assessing the benefits of passive houses
Sheri Koones writes on AOL’s real estate pages on the growing trend towards passive houses. While it started in Europe, the interest is growing globally. The 'Passive House' Path to Extreme Energy Efficiency With the growing cost of fuel, increasingly stringent home construction codes, and scientific evidence that we must reduce CO2 emissions, many architects, … Continue reading Assessing the benefits of passive houses
Energy-efficient lighting has been a boon for economic development but . . .
Michael Shellenberger and Ted Nordhaus, co-founders of the Breakthrough Institute, an energy and environmental research center, provided an editorial in the New York Times about the value of energy-efficient products but to make a serious dent in carbon emissions there needs to be a shift to cleaner forms of energy. Do you agree? The … Continue reading Energy-efficient lighting has been a boon for economic development but . . .
This week’s briefs
There are several news briefs for you this week. • France takes on banks to expand energy efficiency renovations A debate in the French parliament this week pitted providers of third-party financing for energy efficiency upgrades against traditional banks. The banks are not willing to offer the financing at affordable rates, but they fear … Continue reading This week’s briefs
