Global slowdown in energy efficiency

ESI-Africa.com, the on-line power journal of Africa, reports on the new study soon to be published by ADEME, the French national energy agency, for the World Energy Council that gives some worrying evidence that efforts on energy efficiency are waning. Slowdown in energy efficiency improvements Dr Christoph Frei, the World Energy Council (WEC) secretary … Continue reading Global slowdown in energy efficiency →

How the press reports on climate change

Fiona Harvey reports in the Guardian on a new study that shows that eight out of 10 stories focus on the uncertainties and risks associated with climate change. Interestingly, articles predominantly about "uncertainty" were judged to be those that included the voices of climate sceptics. So, what does this really mean? Read on. Majority … Continue reading How the press reports on climate change →

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 →

Concern about the overuse of ‘sustainability’

The word has become so corrupted as to not only be meaningless, but to actually obscure the real issues, according to a very thoughtful article provided by Doug King in The Guardian. Why the word 'sustainability' should be banned While the idea of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that became all the rage some time … Continue reading Concern about the overuse of ‘sustainability’ →

Jevons meets the Undercover Economist

The Undercover Economist, Tim Harford, writes an excellent piece in the Financial Times on the age old issue of the rebound effect from energy efficiency. Energy efficiency gives us money to burn Is it possible to enjoy the benefits of fuel-saving devices without using more energy? William Stanley Jevons was born in Liverpool in … Continue reading Jevons meets the Undercover Economist →

Re-thinking energy efficiency

Katherine Tweed writes in Greentechmedia about a new report written by Skip Laitner for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Skip is an old friend of EiD and well known in Europe, having most recently participated at the eceee Summer Study in June. Forget Energy Efficiency, Think Exergy Can a new definition … Continue reading Re-thinking energy efficiency →

New review underway of energy efficiency policies in the commercial sector

Property Magazine International reports of an important new study underway in the UK to determine the impact of government policies on the property sector. This is an important study and everyone in Europe will certainly be interested in the results. Deloitte to review Energy Efficiency Policies for commercial property A major independent study is now … Continue reading New review underway of energy efficiency policies in the commercial sector →

The on-going debate about global warming and economists

John Abraham and Dana Nuccitelli have a regular blog in The Guardian called Climateconsensus – the 97%. In this blog, John Abraham explains why he feels the 2009 publication, SuperFreakonomics, is misleading on climate change. Global Warming and Economists - SuperFreakonomics is SuperFreakingWrong Those who purchased the book SuperFreakonomics are paying to be misled about … Continue reading The on-going debate about global warming and economists →

Can energy efficiency play a major role in addressing climate change?

The Breakthrough Institute argues that while energy efficiency offers a tantalising promise of a win-win for both the environment and the economy, there is a growing number of economists and energy analysts caution against overestimating their energy and carbon savings potential and that it is time to rethink the place energy efficiency has taken in … Continue reading Can energy efficiency play a major role in addressing climate change? →

Consumer Futures, the official UK protection body raises concerns about estimates on cost savings from energy-efficient products

Andrew Oxlade writes in The Telegraph about a report from Consumer Futures that questions official estimates on cost savings of energy-efficient products. Green measures will only save £31 by 2020, says official consumer protection body Consumer Futures, the official UK protection body, today warned the Government its estimates of savings from encouraging consumers to use … Continue reading Consumer Futures, the official UK protection body raises concerns about estimates on cost savings from energy-efficient products →