Tag: EU policies

Creating jobs and boosting the economy

Energy efficiency investment is one of the best ways to boost the economy, new research reveals.  GreenWise provides a good review of a new study from Consumer Focus in the UK.  The lessons from this, however, go well beyond the UK.   Carbon taxes could boost economy and lower energy bills Investing money raised through … Continue reading Creating jobs and boosting the economy →

New report on green procurement

The European Commission’s DG Environment published a new brochure titled “Green Public Procurement: A collection of good practices”, illustrating how European local authorities successfully launched green tenders and providing guidance to those wishing to do the same. Green public procurement is highlighted as an important element in the Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) guidebook, which … Continue reading New report on green procurement →

Inside the Brussels beltway

Here are updates on some of the on-going issues in Brussels. Ecodesign For those interested in Ecodesign and products, the 2012-2014 Working Plan, which was to have been published already, is still not available. In May EiD was told that it was still in inter-service consultation and it had been hoped it would have been … Continue reading Inside the Brussels beltway →

Public consultation on EIB’s energy lending policy underway

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is launching a public consultation as part of the review of its energy sector lending policy. The review process is expected to be finalised in summer 2013. The EIB’s energy sector lending policy is based on relevant EU sector policies. These policies are translated into lending objectives and project screening … Continue reading Public consultation on EIB’s energy lending policy underway →

Retrofitting Spain’s hotels

EurActiv recently published a report on how Spain’s hotels are getting support from an EU-funded project to help them improve the energy performance of their buildings. Spanish hotels to get energy-efficiency revamp Spanish hoteliers can now give their buildings an energy-efficient revamp with the help of an online tool calculating their needs, costs and investment … Continue reading Retrofitting Spain’s hotels →

New study on the use of financial instruments to retrofit buildings in Europe

The Buildings Performance Institute Europe has come out with a new report reviewing the use of financial instruments in the European Union.  The paper presents an overview of the various financial schemes in place dedicated to the energy efficient renovation of buildings in 2011. It makes a quantitative analysis of the different financing mechanisms and … Continue reading New study on the use of financial instruments to retrofit buildings in Europe →

VAT challenge could harm Green Deal prospects

The UK government is to fight an EU ruling that the UK must raise VAT on energy efficiency products from 5% to 20%. VAT was reduced to 5% on energy efficiency products in the UK because government wants to tackle fuel poverty, reduce carbon emissions and create jobs. Andrew Warren of the Association for the … Continue reading VAT challenge could harm Green Deal prospects →