The World Bank has often been criticised for funding large-scale energy projects – from large hydropower dams to coal-fired power plants – that can have serious environmental consequences and certainly not in the realm of sustainable energy. Michael Shear writes in the New York Times that its largest funder, the US, has now taken a … Continue reading US changes stance on funding coal-fired power plants
Serbia’s evolving energy system
Serbia is beginning negotiations to join the European Union. It has been developing its energy system and its policies are following EU requirements through its obligations in the Energy Community. Andrew MacDowall writes in the Financial Times about the push to promote renewable energy as well as discussing the energy policy priorities, which interestingly omits … Continue reading Serbia’s evolving energy system
Link of the week – IIED’s climate change programme
Check out http://www.iied.org/climate-change The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) will provide coverage will include daily video updates during the upcoming climate conference in Warsaw from Saleem Huq who has been doing this for several years. The videos are worth watching. But the website provides much more. Have a look. If your organisation is … Continue reading Link of the week – IIED’s climate change programme
UN Secretary-General launches SE4ALL energy efficiency hub
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) opened a new global centre for Energy Efficiency as part of the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative. The Energy Efficiency Hub (EE Hub), in Copenhagen, Denmark, will seek to help “drastically increase” energy access, energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment. … Continue reading UN Secretary-General launches SE4ALL energy efficiency hub
New reports to watch out for
There is some valuable reading in store for you as you explore various aspects of sustainable energy. • Why energy efficiency needs to have priority as part of the Energiewende E3G, based in the UK, has come out with an important briefing paper on the energy transition (Energiewende) in Germany. E3G analysis shows that regardless … Continue reading New reports to watch out for
Keep on truckin’
This week the French government was forced to back down on an “ecotax” on trucks larger than 3.5 tonnes. John Litchfield gives a good account in the Independent. What he does not say is that the revenue to the French budget was to be about €1 billion per year and that already €800 million had … Continue reading Keep on truckin’
Number of the week – $674 billion
Last year, according to the Financial Times, the 200 largest oil and gas companies globally had a capital expenditure of $674 billion for finding and developing new reserves. One has to assume that these companies are not pushing for a sustainable energy future. And one also has to assume that this sum is greater than … Continue reading Number of the week – $674 billion
How energy efficient lighting may shake consumers
As the EU's Ecodesign Regulation requirements continue to escalate, Caroline Hayes reports in LEDs Magazine that LED replacements for mains-voltage halogens may not deliver on consumer expectations on time, while directional SSL lamps are moving faster than the pace of the scheduled phase-out. I was surprised that the Ecodesign regulation was introduced without industry consultation. … Continue reading How energy efficient lighting may shake consumers
Assessing the impact of energy efficiency in America to reduce carbon emissions
Stephen Lacey writes in Greentech media about how complicated it is to determine what impact improved energy efficiency has had in reducing carbon emissions in the US. How Much Is Efficiency Helping America Slash Its Carbon Emissions? Energy wonks collectively gasped when the Energy Information Administration closed its doors briefly during the recent government … Continue reading Assessing the impact of energy efficiency in America to reduce carbon emissions
Green financing for industry still a problem in the UK
OILFIREDUP writes about a recent business survey that shows the difficulties that companies are having in accessing financing to invest in green technologies. It would be good to know if there are similar surveys or similar problems in other European countries. British Business Struggling To Access Green Finance A survey undertaken recently by the … Continue reading Green financing for industry still a problem in the UK
