Frequently analysts are asked to know if there is a premium on energy-efficient homes since the change in asset value has an effect on undertaking a retrofit investment or the purchase of a high performing new building. This study, reported in the Washington Post by Kenneth Harney, gives some strong evidence that there is a … Continue reading Does energy efficiency raise house values?
Don’t count your chickens . . .
Many member states have been planning to use revenue from the planned auction of allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). The UK journal, Energy in Buildings and Industry, reports that introducing a floor price for the scheme risks being seen as a carbon tax. This was the view of the Director General of … Continue reading Don’t count your chickens . . .
Summer reading: on fossil fuel subsidies
This is a good report on updated estimates of global fossil fuel subsidies that was produced by Oil Change International, a research, communication, and advocacy organization focused on exposing the true costs of fossil fuels and facilitating the coming transition towards clean energy. The report highlights that, while there has been progress, there is definitely … Continue reading Summer reading: on fossil fuel subsidies
Good results from Dutch investment tax
Ulrika Lomas of Tax-News.com presents some important results showing that an Energy Investment Allowance has had a significant impact on investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Netherlands. Dutch Investment Tax Boosts Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency The Dutch ministry of economic affairs, agriculture and innovation has recently announced that the government’s tax … Continue reading Good results from Dutch investment tax
Reflecting on consumer preferences
This blog by Brian McGraw for GlobalWarming.org discusses a new paper by the Mercatus Center. The Mercatus Center released a paper (PDF) this month co-authored by Ted Gayer (an economist at the Brooking Institution) and W. Kip Viscusi (an economics professor at Vanderbilt), titled “Overriding Consumer Preferences with Energy Regulations” which questions the economic justification … Continue reading Reflecting on consumer preferences
Learning from the past
This report by Matt Fulford, head of buildings at Sustain, in the Guardian, discusses what we can learn today from our heritage buildings. What can heritage buildings teach us about modern energy efficiency? Heritage buildings have, by definition, been around for a long time. With careful management, they are here to stay for hundreds … Continue reading Learning from the past
Summer reading: The social dynamics of carbon capture and storage
This new book on carbon capture and storage (CCS) takes a different approach than the normal technical review. This book will therefore be of interest to anyone who is engaged with the study of energy technologies, carbon reduction and climate change policy more widely, and concerned with questions about the political, policy and social context … Continue reading Summer reading: The social dynamics of carbon capture and storage
Spanish government to raise cash from renewable energy as austerity measure
Undoubtedly, Spain is going through hard times during this economic crisis. Now the government has decided that it can no longer leave the renewable industry alone. Gone are the lucrative subsidies that built the industry. Now, renewables is being called upon to help dig Spain out of the austerity morass, as described in the following … Continue reading Spanish government to raise cash from renewable energy as austerity measure
Canada is less energy-efficient than . . .
The survey from the American Council for an Energy-efficient Economy on how the top 12 economies are doing on energy efficiency has thrown the Canadians into a tizzy since it is doing even worse than its neighbour, the United States as well as China. This article by Mitch Potter of the Toronto Star explains the … Continue reading Canada is less energy-efficient than . . .
Air conditioning – part 2
Following last week’s post on air conditioning or not, this is a good overview by Stan Cox for Yale Environment 360 of the global impact of air conditioning. The report was on the Guardian website. Climate risks heat up as world switches on to air conditioning The world is warming, incomes are rising, and smaller … Continue reading Air conditioning – part 2
