Giving communities access to cheaper solar power

Madeleine Cuff writes on the Business Green website that a new initiative in New York City, Solarize NYC, will allow communities to join together into single purchasing groups to access cheaper solar power. There could be some important lessons for Europe as the introduction of nearly zero energy buildings with the needed energy coming from … Continue reading Giving communities access to cheaper solar power →

Improving energy efficiency will bring big benefits to cities

We are seeing more evidence every day about the importance of cities in promoting sustainable energy. David Chandler writes on the MIT website that retrofitting a small portion of buildings would have big impact on cities’ carbon emissions. And more importantly, the study shows how to identify those buildings that will have the biggest impact. … Continue reading Improving energy efficiency will bring big benefits to cities →

A new economic paradigm on sustainability is poised to emerge and both cities and utilities will have an important role to play

In an article for the Renewable Energy Focus website, Lauren Callaway, a research analyst at Navigant Research, delves into the smart city market and discusses what it means for the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors. Comment: Smart cities; the future of sustainable living It’s a no brainer at this point: Improving sustainability in … Continue reading A new economic paradigm on sustainability is poised to emerge and both cities and utilities will have an important role to play →

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 →

Psssst . . . leave your car at home

EiD has regular written about the role of cities in addressing sustainable energy and climate change issues. Cities look at every possible way to reduce emissions and energy use. The benefits in better air quality are well documented but achieving those savings is not always easy. Alison Moodie writes a good article in the Guardian … Continue reading Psssst . . . leave your car at home →

One city sets a good example in promoting sustainable energy

EiD has written before about San Diego’s plans to switch completely to renewable energy. Claire Trageser provides this report on the KPBS radio website about just how San Diego plans to do so. It is an encouraging story. It would be good to know, however, what role improved energy efficiency plays. For this interested, the … Continue reading One city sets a good example in promoting sustainable energy →

San Diego showing real leadership

At the recent climate conference in Paris, much attention was given to cities. Yes, many were highlighted because of the severe air pollution problems but others were noted for the efforts they are making to promote sustainable energy – either renewable energy or improved energy efficiency. Matt Richtel writes a good article in the New … Continue reading San Diego showing real leadership →

Cities play a key role in our sustainable future

We’ve had so many initiatives at the local or city level related to sustainability, climate change or energy and there is a good reason for that. Action can be mobilised and results achieved with good city commitment. Chris Mooney discusses their importance in a recent article in the Washington Post. Why Earth’s future will … Continue reading Cities play a key role in our sustainable future →

Cities are key to deciding our planet’s climate future

For many years, we have realised the power of cities to address our climate and energy concerns. There are a growing number of initiatives to mobilise urban policies. Chelsea Harvey writes in the Financial Times about a new study by the New Climate Economy that details how great a lever that cities can be. … Continue reading Cities are key to deciding our planet’s climate future →

Grime isn’t the pollution sink that many thought it was

Jonathan Webb provides a good article on the BBC news website about recent rooftop experiments to better understand the overall effect of grime that all our cities suffer from. You may be surprised by the results. City grime 'breathes back out' polluting nitrogen gases Scientists say the grime which clings to urban surfaces "breathes … Continue reading Grime isn’t the pollution sink that many thought it was →