The ups and downs of the energy transition

We read this week that the Ontario government is planning to scrap many of its renewable energy contracts in order to save the average homeowner Canadian $2.45 per month. Rob Ferguson writes about the developments in the Toronto Star. For a province that has few resources to generate electricity, it seems somewhat puzzling. Ontario … Continue reading The ups and downs of the energy transition →

It takes money to make money: getting money to flow into energy efficiency projects

Jim Barrett, Chief Economist, for ACEEE, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, writes an excellent blog on the ACEEE website about an initiative by the Bank of America to increase investments at the community level. Bank of America’s Energy Efficiency Financing Program shows path to combining energy savings and community development If you … Continue reading It takes money to make money: getting money to flow into energy efficiency projects →

Understanding energy policy in Massachusetts

We often get caught up in our own policy tangles, trying to figure out how to effect the changes that will achieve our long-term goals. It is instructive to see how policies develop elsewhere. John Rogers, a senior energy analyst, writes a very informative blog on the Union of Concerned Scientists website. You should enjoy … Continue reading Understanding energy policy in Massachusetts →

Australia finds that, with federal climate change policies lacking, the local level is taking up the cause

We all know how important the local and regional levels are for promoting and contributing towards the energy transition. Stephen Bygrave, CEO of Beyond Zero Emissions, writes a good article in The Guardian about how the local level has been a major force in Australia, especially given that the federal level has definitely not taken … Continue reading Australia finds that, with federal climate change policies lacking, the local level is taking up the cause →

Scotland’s Existing Homes Alliance calls for energy efficiency to be priority in infrastructure investments

With the high level of fuel poverty and poor quality of buildings in Scotland, the Existing Homes Alliance is calling for the government to give a higher priority to improving energy efficiency. James Hamilton explains the situation on The National website. Call to end scourge of poor housing with nationwide project With six months … Continue reading Scotland’s Existing Homes Alliance calls for energy efficiency to be priority in infrastructure investments →

Important funding strategy for energy activities in Africa

The African Development Bank Group is taking a significant step forward by approving a multi-year strategy for a new deal on energy in Africa. The new deal includes supporting the transition to green growth that includes an emphasis on energy efficiency and scaling up energy access. The PR Newswire on the StarAfrica website provides the … Continue reading Important funding strategy for energy activities in Africa →

Reviewing the benefits to our cities of energy-efficient buildings

We are increasingly aware of the importance of addressing climate and energy issues at the urban level. This is a good article by Eric Maackres on the Eco-Business website about four ways he has identified that cities benefit from better energy performing buildings. 4 surprising ways energy-efficient buildings benefit cities Urbanisation presents major challenges: … Continue reading Reviewing the benefits to our cities of energy-efficient buildings →

Have your say . . .

Silvia Zinetti is well known to many of us who have been working in and around Brussels. Last year she moved to the San Diego area but has continued to work in the field of sustainable energy and wrote a post for EiD last summer. She is very involved with many local groups encouraging sustainable … Continue reading Have your say . . . →

17 US states agree on commitments to expand energy efficiency and renewable energy

Everyone knows the difficulty of getting agreements through America’s federal system, especially with the current Congress. Oliver Milman provides a good review in The Guardian of the bipartisan approach of governors from 17 states to accelerate the energy transition. Coalition of US states pledge to accelerate renewable energy efforts A bipartisan group of governors … Continue reading 17 US states agree on commitments to expand energy efficiency and renewable energy →

Reflections on a COST-JRC workshop on the role of cities-regions in achieving a low-carbon economy

Increasingly, we are better understanding the important role cities and regions can and should play to effectively address priority areas such as climate change and sustainable energy. Cities and regions are unique because so much happens in a relatively small area: we live, work and play there and globally we are becoming increasingly urbanised. This … Continue reading Reflections on a COST-JRC workshop on the role of cities-regions in achieving a low-carbon economy →