The series of 7 web sessions has been summarised in a conclusion document, covering 7 aspects:
To view the results from the web survey: >>
Add comment March 30th, 2006
The UK Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes has launched a new webpage for members to put forward their views on issues in energy efficiency and fuel poverty.
Andrew Warren, the Vice-Chair, makes a point about the role of direct subsidies in the domestic sector. He cites a change of policy in Germany, taking “a giant step forward” by setting up a new programme, designed to bring all pre-1978 homes up to contemporary energy standards by 2025.
Is this not also an essential mechanism for the entire commercial and tertiary sector, both of which have problems in relying on other driving forces and incentives?
Add comment January 24th, 2006
An EU body, the European Environment Agency, has warned that the Union was likely to cut its emissions of greenhouse gases by only 2.5% of 1990 levels by the year 2012, rather than the 8% target that had been set.
Add comment January 23rd, 2006
The World Wildlife Fund’s contribution to the EE Green Paper states that energy efficiency must not become a goal in itself, but has to be a tool to achieve energy conservation and fight climate change. The WWF say that this link must be acknowledged and emphasised.
They also say that the EU will benefit from opportunities to enter new markets, and offer technologies, when developing countries start introducing advanced technologies.
Add comment January 20th, 2006
A report by the UK Institute for Public Policy Research on 28th December claimed that only the UK and Sweden are on course to meet their 2012 Kyoto commitments, and that European countries need to take action, including energy saving and investing in renewable energy.
Ten of 15 European Union signatories including Ireland, Italy and Spain will miss the targets without urgent action. France, Greece and Germany are given an “amber warning” and will not reach the targets unless they implement planned policies, the IPPR said.
Add comment January 19th, 2006
The EU’s Energy Finance Initiative, focusing on policy dialogue, in parallel with specific partnerships and actions on access to energy, is expected to be an important stimulus for energy efficiency actions to benefit developing countries, and at the same time provide an opportunity for partnerships to develop energy efficiency actions and technologies. An estimated two billion people in the world are currently ‘energy poor’. The aim is to improve their access to adequate, affordable and sustainable energy services.
Another catalyst for concrete progress in developing countries, and for the poor in particular, is the European Union Energy Initiative, which puts a major focus on renewables. It is now backed up with a €220 million Energy Facility, which will be available from 2006.
The EU is also closely involved in the 88-country strong Johannesburg Renewable Energy Coalition.
Add comment January 18th, 2006
Europe’s climate may depend upon a complex interaction between the emissions of pollutants from factory chimneys, forest fires, and energy-efficient actions such as the reduced burning of fossil fuels.
Polluted air results in clouds with larger number of droplets than unpolluted clouds, reflecting more of the sun’s heat and energy back into space. This reduction in the amount of heat reaching the earth is known as “Global Dimming”.
Add comment January 17th, 2006
The sheer expected size of the renewables sector in Europe provides an indication of the scope for associated actions to optimize energy efficiency.
By 2010, the EU’s share of renewables in primary energy consumption is planned to increase from 6% at present to 12%. For electricity, renewables should rise from 14% to 21%. Energy efficiency will be an essential component in making renewable technologies affordable and competitive.
Add comment January 16th, 2006
A summary of the discussion dd Jan 13 on this subject, with as panellist Lorenzo Pagliano (Politecnico Milano).
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Add comment January 16th, 2006
A UK project to study the economic challenge of addressing climate change could draw attention to the crucial role of energy efficiency actions.
This reflects growing concern about the cost of achieving Kyoto protocol targets, which have been recently estimated to lead to Britain, Germany, and Italy each losing 200,000 jobs. In Spain, more than 600,000 jobs would be lost.
Add comment January 12th, 2006