Richard Matthews writes in theenergycollective.com about the benefits from improving the energy efficiency of new buildings. While the report is about the United States and it admits that the US has lagged behind many other nations, it refers to a recent United Nations study and has important lessons for Europeans. Growth of Energy Efficient Buildings … Continue reading The rising priority for energy efficiency in buildings
More on UK’s VAT issue with European Commission
In the recent post on Britain's taxing issue, EiD quoted Andrew Warren, Director of the UK Association for the Conservation of Energy. Following other comments that EiD has received, Andrew has kindly provided the following extended note. As all Europeans are trying to address how to finance energy efficiency investments, this is an important issue … Continue reading More on UK’s VAT issue with European Commission
A taxing issue
The European Commission’s press release this week was quite stark in its announcement: . . . The European Commission has decided to refer the United Kingdom to the EU Court of Justice for its reduced VAT rate on the supply and installation of energy-saving materials. This measure goes beyond what is allowed under the VAT … Continue reading A taxing issue
When you wish upon a . . .?
Roland Gribben has recently written in the Telegraph about a Bloomberg New Energy Finance report that questions what bonanza will really come to the Britain by its development of its shale gas reserves. Obviously, the jury is still out. UK shale gas revolution is 'wishful thinking' There is little prospect of a repeat of the … Continue reading When you wish upon a . . .?
Launch of new buildings network website
The Global Buildings Performance Network based in Paris has revamped its entire website and launched its participative global Knowledge Platform advancing best practice policies in building energy performance. The new GBPN web-based tool, will stimulate collective research and analysis from experts worldwide to promote better decision-making and help the building sector effectively reduce its impact … Continue reading Launch of new buildings network website
Such talk can give you a chill
Alex Kirby reports for the Climate News Network on warnings by Bob Watson, well known for formerly chairing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The signatories to the 2009 Copenhagen Accord agreed to do what they could to keep global temperatures from climbing above 2°C. The IEA in late 2012 raised concerns that this could … Continue reading Such talk can give you a chill
Congratulations
EiD would like to congratulate Sergio Tirado-Herrero from the Central European University in Budapest for successfully defending his doctoral dissertation (summa cum laude) on Monday, Feb. 18, 2013. His dissertation was: Fuel poverty alleviation as a co-benefit of climate investments: Evidence of Hungary. Sergio recently spoke at an IEA event that addressed the multiple-benefits of … Continue reading Congratulations
Innovative financing for solar energy systems
Diane Cardwell writes in the New York Times about how the Honda car company has now linked with a major solar energy installer to provide solar incentives to encourage customers in the US to buy their hybrid and electric vehicles. It will be interesting to know if such support for renewables will be provided in … Continue reading Innovative financing for solar energy systems
Is it time for better store closing?
Ed King from the Responding to Climate Change website provides an article that has probably had EiD readers puzzled as well as you have gone shopping recently. Closing the door on energy efficiency Imagine it’s is the middle of winter, but instead of battening down the hatches you wedge the front door open, and put … Continue reading Is it time for better store closing?
How consumers can work together to finance climate change solutions
Lisa Palmer recently provided a blog in the New York Times about how consumers can bundle their efforts to finance climate change solutions. A Climate Proposal: Bundling Consumer Buying Power Each year, an estimated 46 percent of the population is responsible for 77 percent of discretionary spending in the United States. To strengthen individual buying … Continue reading How consumers can work together to finance climate change solutions
