Tag: EU policies

Calls for new car CO2 emissions goals set the scene for another battle over fuel efficiency regulations in the EU

In an article in the Guardian by Arthur Neslen, ministers from the Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland and Finland say new CO2 goals would reduce motoring costs and aid the transition to zero-emission vehicles.   EU states call for tough new car fuel efficiency targets The EU should set challenging new fuel efficiency targets for new cars … Continue reading Calls for new car CO2 emissions goals set the scene for another battle over fuel efficiency regulations in the EU →

British government ditches plans for zero carbon homes

Philip Oldfield writes in the Guardian about the government decision to axe plans to make new homes carbon neutral from 2016. This has raised much criticism. What the article does not mention is how the government will now meet its related obligations for nearly zero energy buildings under the EU’s energy performance of buildings directive. … Continue reading British government ditches plans for zero carbon homes →

Europe’s climate policies are having an impact on America’s forests

Everyone looks for a business opportunity, and when Europe started promoting biomass for power production, American wood suppliers were certainly glad to take advantage of the market opportunity. But, as Joby Warrick writes in the Washington Post, there are implications that may be less than sustainable.   How Europe’s climate policies have led to more … Continue reading Europe’s climate policies are having an impact on America’s forests →

Impact of proposed new air pollution limits in Europe

Arthur Neslen writes in the Guardian about a new study commissioned by Greenpeace and the European Environment Bureau about concerns that likely weakened air pollution standards that are currently in draft form will have a serious impact in Europe. It would be good if anyone has more information on the likelihood of these plans being … Continue reading Impact of proposed new air pollution limits in Europe →

Legal framework for renewable energy is firming up in Romania

Laura Grigore explains on Romania’s Business Review website about the latest legal developments in Romania to establish a sustainable electricity system based on renewables.   Romanian parliament approves law on measures in the field of electricity produced from renewable energy sources Romanian Parliament adopted by a large majority the legislation on measures in the field … Continue reading Legal framework for renewable energy is firming up in Romania →

Important new paper on Display Energy Certificates

Robert Cohen and Bill Bordass, both loyal readers of EiD, have written an important new report that reviews the history of the Display Energy Certificate and it identifies a number of lessons for improvements to future policy outcomes.   Mandating transparency about building energy performance in use In 2002, the European Union Energy Performance of … Continue reading Important new paper on Display Energy Certificates →

Are clean energy companies in Europe part of the living dead?

There are concerns that bureaucracy is killing the clean energy industry in Europe. Pilita Clark assesses these concerns in the Financial Times. Do you have a view?   Politics, red tape ‘turning EU clean energy into zombie industry’ The EU’s dysfunctional political system is turning clean energy companies into a “zombie industry” of the living … Continue reading Are clean energy companies in Europe part of the living dead? →

Important new publication about Ecodesign and resource efficiency

The Danish Ministry of Environment has recently published an important publication that examines how resource efficiency requirements can be integrated into the EU Ecodesign Directive.   Ecodesign Directive version 2.0 - from Energy Efficiency to Resource Efficiency The Ecodesign Directive is one of the policy instruments that can play an important role in the change … Continue reading Important new publication about Ecodesign and resource efficiency →

Call for ring-fencing funds for energy efficiency in the EU

Diarmaid Williams writes on the PennEnergy website about an issue related to serious funding for energy efficiency that is causing quite a stir in the corridors of EU institutions. Do you have views on ringfencing?   EU cogeneration lobby group calls for logic to prevail in efficiency ring-fencing debate The Managing Director of Europe’s cogeneration … Continue reading Call for ring-fencing funds for energy efficiency in the EU →