Recently John Llewellyn wrote a very interesting column for the eceee on the impressive improvements made this year by F1 racing cars. But for John the F1 experience of achieving massive fuel efficiency gains has a deeper significance: it shows what clever people can achieve when motivated and the importance of incentives. No sooner had … Continue reading Formula One sets the pace of development
Let there be light . . . when we need it
Paul Attfield writes in Canada’s Globe and Mail about the use of motion sensors to help address improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings. Last person out, the building will turn off the lights Though provincial incentives to reward energy efficiency may give commercial landlords a financial impetus, many find it is also a … Continue reading Let there be light . . . when we need it
The greening of Britain’s Crown Estate
It is interesting how Americans can weave together their interest in British history with a discussion on sustainable energy, but Mark Scott does it in the New York Times. Mark Scott describes how Britain’s Crown Estate is at the heart of the country’s push into green energy. Policy makers are always wanting governments to set … Continue reading The greening of Britain’s Crown Estate
Finland reprimanded over failure to implement EPBD
The popular opinion is that Finland is amongst the best EU member states for giving a priority to energy efficiency. Finnbay reports that the European Commission has referred Finland to the Court of Justice because of its failure to implement aspects of the buildings directive related to energy performance certificates and nearly zero energy buildings. … Continue reading Finland reprimanded over failure to implement EPBD
Every little bit helps
We are familiar with the use of drones in war zones such as Afghanistan and Iraq but increasingly they are being used for better civil purposes as well. Todd Woody writes a good article in the New York Times of their use, amongst other things, to monitor renewable energy projects. Drones Are Becoming Energy’s … Continue reading Every little bit helps
Vehicle fuel economy in the spotlight
Undoubtedly, to achieve low carbon economy we need to seriously reduce consumption of vehicles. Everyone knows this but the road to achieving this is not simple. Henry Foy and Chris Bryant write in the Financial Times about the resistance of car manufacturers to even changing the fuel economy test. Carmakers clash with EU over … Continue reading Vehicle fuel economy in the spotlight
New efficient windows
H&V News describes new developments in windows. As the article states, windows are acknowledged to be a key weak point in terms of the building’s energy use and improvements can have a major impact. It would be good to hear the views of the glass industry. New technology set to improve the thermal efficiency … Continue reading New efficient windows
Focus on education
While we hear of the waxing and waning priority for climate change, there is steady progress in discussing it in our classrooms, according to Beth Gardiner in the New York Times. The classroom experience can have a strong, long-term impact on changing habits and attitudes. Setbacks Aside, Climate Change Is Finding Its Way Into … Continue reading Focus on education
Business needs to raise its voice
Recently, EiD has focused on the role of business to address climate change or sustainable energy concerns. This focus continues with an important article by Andrew Winston in Guardian Professional who writes about the dawning realisation of the threat of climate change to business but who cautions that there is not enough urgency when it … Continue reading Business needs to raise its voice
To nudge or not to nudge . . .
More and more we are hearing about more nuanced approaches to get us to take action in anything from climate change to whatever. There has been much discussion about “nudges”, a concept that is relatively new but has almost always been used. Some question whether there should be nudges or mandates when it comes to … Continue reading To nudge or not to nudge . . .
