A ‘light touch’ doesn’t always achieve the best results

John Vidal provides some disturbing news on how the World Bank’s current practices are actually seriously affecting the development it is supposed to promote. Leaked World Bank lending policies 'environmentally disastrous' New 'light touch' rules on bank's $50bn annual lending have been gutted to remove protections, watchdogs claim Radical plans by the World Bank … Continue reading A ‘light touch’ doesn’t always achieve the best results →

Financial support for green energy projects in Armenia

FinChannel.com from Armenia writes about new support for green energy projects for the country. EBRD and HSBC to support energy efficiency in Armenia HSBC clients in Armenia can now benefit from funding for green energy projects, according to EBRD. On 4 July 2014 an agreement was signed between the European Bank for Reconstruction and … Continue reading Financial support for green energy projects in Armenia →

Criticism in UK over cost of subsidising renewable energy projects

There is growing concerns in many countries about the costs of subsidising renewable energy. Well, there are also concerns about the costs for nuclear but the emphasis these days appears to be on renewable energy as shown in an article by Guy Chazan in the Financial Times. The criticism in this post is a national … Continue reading Criticism in UK over cost of subsidising renewable energy projects →

UK’s Green Investment Bank wants greater manoeuvrability

The Green Investment Bank created in 2012, has been getting headlines for its investments in offshore wind projects together with others for energy efficiency. Only this week, it announced plans to launch a £1 billion offshore wind fund as well as support for small businesses to invest in energy efficiency. These efforts are certainly welcome. … Continue reading UK’s Green Investment Bank wants greater manoeuvrability →

New funding to support fuel poverty in Scotland

Scotland has announced more funding for an energy efficiency retrofit scheme that will help address fuel poverty. ClickGreen provides the details. Scottish Government announces £60m energy efficiency programme The Scottish Government has announced a £60 million energy efficiency fund and confirmed plans to permanently take on responsibility for the ECO and Warm Homes Discount … Continue reading New funding to support fuel poverty in Scotland →

New inquiry into designing a sustainable financial system

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) launched an 'Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System: Policy Innovations for a Green Economy' to explore how the financial system might better meet the needs of, and mobilize capital for, a green economy in January 2014. The Inquiry Co-Directors, Nick Robins and Simon Zadek, presented the background, … Continue reading New inquiry into designing a sustainable financial system →

Financing energy-efficient homes

Dan Reicher and Andrew Peterman provide a thoughtful article in The Hill about linking the purchase of energy-efficient homes with better mortgages. Reicher is executive director of Stanford University’s Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance. He was assistant secretary of Energy in the Clinton administration and a member of President Obama’s transition team. Peterman, … Continue reading Financing energy-efficient homes →

EIB support for Dutch wind farm

The European Investment Bank recently agreed to provide EUR 587 million for the world’s largest wind farm to be constructed 85km north of the Netherlands, at a site not visible from land. Once operational the 600MW Gemini offshore wind farm will supply renewable electricity for more than 1.5 million people, equivalent to the all the … Continue reading EIB support for Dutch wind farm →

New energy efficiency fund in Ireland

Recently, the Irish government announced a new energy efficiency fund that focuses on commercial buildings. While many news services reported this news, an article by Siliconrepublic.com was particularly good. €70m Irish Energy Efficiency Fund could be leveraged up to €300m A new €70m Energy Efficiency Fund led by Sustainable Development Capital and supported by the … Continue reading New energy efficiency fund in Ireland →

Formula One sets the pace of development

Recently John Llewellyn wrote a very interesting column for the eceee on the impressive improvements made this year by F1 racing cars. But for John the F1 experience of achieving massive fuel efficiency gains has a deeper significance: it shows what clever people can achieve when motivated and the importance of incentives. No sooner had … Continue reading Formula One sets the pace of development →