Tag: energy policy

No sign of reducing our dependence on fossil fuels

Henry Foy writes in the Financial Times about the factors that will lead us to continue or dependence on fossil fuels. Does anyone have a comment? Hopefully, the new overall 2030 target for GHG emissions will have more of an impact than the two energy targets will.   Several factors conspire to increase fossil fuel … Continue reading No sign of reducing our dependence on fossil fuels →

Call for putting low-income households at the heart of Europe’s future policy

While an EU energy efficiency target has been set for 2030, this only means that the work must really start now. While this was written before the Summit that set the target, Simon Read provides an important article in The Independent about the “growing energy divide.” We certainly have a chance to address that.   … Continue reading Call for putting low-income households at the heart of Europe’s future policy →

Siemens remains committed to fossil fuels

The German manufacturer Siemens is a global leader in many technologies and had been shifting to more on renewable energy. Yes, of course many are related to energy efficiency as well. But, as Fiona Harvey and Suzanne Goldenberg write in The Guardian, coal still key to future growth despite strong focus on renewables.                     … Continue reading Siemens remains committed to fossil fuels →

Valuable diplomatic manoeuvring underway on climate change

While there has been understandable focus on the UN’s Climate Summit this week, the International Institute for Sustainable Development also reports on a meeting of another high-level group.   Major Economies Forum Convenes Foreign Ministers MEF21 September 2014: The 20th Meeting of the Leaders' Representatives of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Change … Continue reading Valuable diplomatic manoeuvring underway on climate change →

The EU challenge to find a united approach to achieving emissions targets

There are few who would argue with meeting emissions targets in Europe. But, they are expensive to achieve and many of the new member states have found it difficult to give this a priority when there are so many other economic and social issues to deal with. Christian Oliver writes in the Financial Times about … Continue reading The EU challenge to find a united approach to achieving emissions targets →

Understanding more about Iceland’s energy system

World Bulletin writes a good article about the importance placed on renewable energy. This is important for a country that has the highest per capita consumption of electricity.   Renewable energy saves Iceland Iceland, which consumes the most electricity power per capita in the world, makes almost all energy production through renewable energy sources, according … Continue reading Understanding more about Iceland’s energy system →

What happens when people don’t agree . . .

Ketan Joshi writes a very enlightening article that the Australian Prime Minister doesn’t always follow his own advice. The federal government can’t convince the electorate of the ills of renewables. Perhaps they should listen instead (following the PM’s own advice), and leave the renewable energy target alone. Maybe there are lessons for Europe as we … Continue reading What happens when people don’t agree . . . →

Reaction to President of World Bank’s view of the importance of coal

A few weeks ago, an EiD post  raised concerns that the World Bank’s lending policies are environmentally disastrous. Now we get a post from Justin Guay, Associate Director of the Sierra Club International Climate Programme, writing on the Huffington Post website. He criticises Dr. Jim Yong Kim, president of the World Bank, for his views … Continue reading Reaction to President of World Bank’s view of the importance of coal →