A renovation strategy for Europe?

It was in 1970 when the Beatles released The Long and Winding Road. With the onslaught of the first major oil crisis only four years later, it could be the anthem for energy policy ever since. The beginning of the road was a push to start with more insulation in our buildings in order to … Continue reading A renovation strategy for Europe? →

Example from Italy shows why more needs to be done to promote industrial energy efficiency in Europe

Audits were made mandatory to large industry in the EU’s 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive. Now the directive is under review and there have been many concerns that the Commission has proposed no new legislative changes to promote industrial energy efficiency. Silvia Zinetti, a sustainable energy expert based in California and a regular contributor to EiD, … Continue reading Example from Italy shows why more needs to be done to promote industrial energy efficiency in Europe →

The benefits of energy efficiency standards need to withstand the rush to leave the EU

Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation and a regular contributor to EiD, warns that Britain’s tabloid war on energy efficiency standards could end up costing businesses hundreds of thousands of pounds post-Brexit. This is an important message for all countries. Green Brexit: Taking back control to waste energy? According to official … Continue reading The benefits of energy efficiency standards need to withstand the rush to leave the EU →

New report from European Environment Agency

The European Environment Agency shows that the energy transition is well underway in Europe in the deployment of renewable energy. Renewables assuming greater role in the EU energy mix, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions The EEA report ‘Renewable energy in Europe 2017,’ shows that renewables have become a major contributor to the energy … Continue reading New report from European Environment Agency →

Blog from Louise Sunderland – We have a choice: more of the same for consumers, or a chance at really raising the building renovation rate

Having avidly read the Commission’s clean energy package documents at the end of last year (OK, so I admit, not every page but all of the important stuff from a buildings perspective) I am now reading the briefings and recommendations on changes to the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive … Continue reading Blog from Louise Sunderland – We have a choice: more of the same for consumers, or a chance at really raising the building renovation rate →

EU energy efficiency policies under fire in Ireland

One of the main elements of the 2012 EU Energy Efficiency Directive is a requirement to have energy distribution and retail companies provide measures to consumers that achieve quite ambitious targets. Member states are allowed alternative measures but not all have opted for that. The Irish Times had a news item this week stating that … Continue reading EU energy efficiency policies under fire in Ireland →

Britain’s sustainable energy transition

This coming week, the UK will be formally notifying the EU of its decision to leave. The “divorce” is not simple, there has been much hostility raised about the “interference” of EU directives, and there are many issues about what energy efficiency legislation makes sense to retain. Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency … Continue reading Britain’s sustainable energy transition →

The Brussels Winter Package whirlwind

The European Commission’s clean energy - or 'winter' - package is producing a whirlwind of activity in its approval process. I have seen it at first hand over the past few weeks, at meetings, workshops and conferences reviewing impact assessments, addressing energy efficiency financing, and discussing the central role of consumers in the winter package. … Continue reading The Brussels Winter Package whirlwind →

New report by BPIE assesses readiness of EU countries in their transition to smart buildings

Europe is gripped in the trend towards improving our buildings and infrastructure through “smart” techniques. The Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) has recently published a report assessing how prepared EU member states are for this transition. European countries are missing smart buildings opportunities Analysis by the on the readiness of EU countries to transition … Continue reading New report by BPIE assesses readiness of EU countries in their transition to smart buildings →

European Commission’s latest proposals for improving energy efficiency policies seems to be incurring the ire of the departing Brits

Fourteen months ago, there was global agreement to raise the ambition of our energy and climate policies in order to significantly reduce the impact of climate change. Improved energy efficiency was seen as a major element in meeting those goals. That was before Britain voted to leave the European Union. Now, Andrew Warren, Chairman of … Continue reading European Commission’s latest proposals for improving energy efficiency policies seems to be incurring the ire of the departing Brits →