New publication on modernising building codes

At her last working day at the IEA, Yamina SAHEB launched the joint IEA-UNDP report on how building energy codes can be modernised with the aim of limiting pressure on global energy supply, improving energy security, and contributing to environmental sustainability. The IEA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partnered to analyse current practices … Continue reading New publication on modernising building codes →

Germany’s energy transition certainly has its critics

Views certainly appear polarised on the success of Germany’s energy transition to date. Ambrose Evans-Pritchard writing in The Telegraph certainly believes the dream is over.  It would be good to hear from EiD readers about their views.  Is it really economic suicide? Romantic Germany risks economic decline as green dream spoils Germany is committing slow … Continue reading Germany’s energy transition certainly has its critics →

Energy use drops in Irish homes

Build.ie, Ireland’s Construction Directory, recently published the results of new data from the national energy agency on residential energy consumption.  The report states that the new building regulations were an important factor. Energy Efficiency Improves In Irish Homes Energy use per household fell by 18% between 2006 and 2011 according to a new report Residential … Continue reading Energy use drops in Irish homes →

Action Plan for a competitive and sustainable steel industry in Europe

Heat Recovery in Energy Intensive Industries (H-REII)  is a project supported by the EU LIFE Programme.  Energy intensive industrial processes (iron, steel and cement production, glass making, etc.) emit heat and carbon dioxide (CO2) into the environment. Technological and non-technological barriers have negatively influenced the introduction of more energy efficient systems that are able to … Continue reading Action Plan for a competitive and sustainable steel industry in Europe →

Trial in UK to have appliance labels show electricity costs

Rebecca Smithers writes in the Guardian about a new appliance label that is being tested at the UK department store, John Lewis. This is a trial, sponsored by the UK government, that will last for six months. The label includes the lifetime electricity costs.  It will be interesting to see how consumers react to it. … Continue reading Trial in UK to have appliance labels show electricity costs →

First fund for SME energy efficiency projects launches

Ilaria Bertini writes in Blue & Green Tomorrow about a new fund for energy efficiency and renewable energy that has just been launched in the UK Energy efficiency fund launched for green businesses ReEnergise Finance has created a dedicated fund for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) wanting to invest in energy efficiency or renewable energy. … Continue reading First fund for SME energy efficiency projects launches →

Lord Stern criticises Britain’s rush to frack

The Independent’s environment editor, Tom Bawden, reports on Lord Nicholas Stern’s latest criticisms of the Government’s rush into fracking without a thorough analysis of all its potential ramifications.    Baseless economics': Lord Stern on David Cameron’s claims that a UK fracking boom can bring down price of gas Lord Stern, author of the hugely influential … Continue reading Lord Stern criticises Britain’s rush to frack →