Tag: energy efficiency

New study on corporate image and energy efficiency

Deloitte LLP has published a new report on how the corporate sector views improved energy efficiency as an important element in their own branding.  This review by Market Watch provides an important overview of the study. Corporate Energy Efficiency is a Tale of Bottom Line Versus Brand Image: Deloitte Improving energy efficiency at America's businesses … Continue reading New study on corporate image and energy efficiency →

Financing retrofits

Improving the energy performance of buildings will require some innovation on financing. Sandra Kwak, an entrepreneur with Powerzoa and D-Light Energy has provided an insightful, detailed article on energy efficiency financing that should be of interest to EiD readers.  It makes for more good summer reading.   Energy Efficiency Financing: The Absent, Invisible Hand “How … Continue reading Financing retrofits →

Does UK really rank number 1 in energy efficiency?

After ACEEE’s league table of major economies on their progress on energy efficiency, there is growing scepticism on Britain’s leading status.  The articles and emails have been coming fast and furious.  Many are questioning the indicators that are used.  As one wrote this week: “The damage is done . . .” The ACEEE ranking contradicts … Continue reading Does UK really rank number 1 in energy efficiency? →

Does energy efficiency raise house values?

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? →

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 →

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 →