The global energy efficiency market is worth at least USD 310 billion a year and growing, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency that confirms the position of energy efficiency as the world’s “first fuel”. The report also finds that energy efficiency finance is becoming an established market segment, with innovative new products and standards helping to overcome risks and bringing stability and confidence to the … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2014
Italian EU Presidency falls down on energy policy
With a final decision on the 2030 framework for EU climate and energy policy approaching, and a highly unstable international energy situation, the Italian Presidency of the EU should focus squarely on energy. However, the Italian energy effort is vague, focused on the short term and fails to initiate the measures the EU and Italy need to solve the energy and climate crisis, writes energy journalist and economist Lorenzo Colantoni. … [Read more...]
Europe’s new VP for Energy Union shows little knowledge of energy
Slovenia’s Alenka Bratušek was condemned as vague, bland and ignorant of key energy issues at her hearing at the European Parliament on Monday afternoon. Bratušek, who from November is meant to lead Europe’s energy negotiations with Russia and take on a global climate deal, failed to convince MEPs she had the skills or integrity to become the EU’s new “Vice President for Energy Union”. … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Latest news on Environment and Energy from Brussels
In this latest Brussels Briefing on Environment from viEUws.eu, Sonja van Renssen provides an overview of the latest developments in the field of European environment policy. … [Read more...]
Exclusive: “In 2015, The Hague should see the birth of a new global Energy Charter”
The Energy Charter, signed in 1991 in The Hague in the post-cold War period mainly to harmonise energy relations between Europe and the former Soviet Union, is on the point of being transformed into a global instrument. Secretary-General Urban Rusnak hopes that next year, again in The Hague, a second high-level meeting will establish a new International or Global Energy Charter, adapted to the globalised economy and suited to the needs of energy … [Read more...]
Fed up with federal inaction, States in US and Canada act alone on cap-and-trade
While the EU is discussing the introduction of a Market Stability Reserve to invigorate its moribund Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), States in the US are forging ahead, creating their regional emission trading schemes, writes Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com. They may even manage to forge a national scheme. … [Read more...]
VIDEO: 5 toughest questions faced by Miguel Arias Cañete – Hearings of Juncker Commission
Miguel Arias Cañete – European Commissioner-designate for Climate Action and Energy (nominated by Spain) – had to answer a number of difficult questions during his hearing by the European Parliament’s Committees on Industry, Research & Energy (ITRE) and Environment, Public Health & Food Safety (ENVI) on 1 October. viEUws.eu produced a comprehensive video summary of the hearing, Cañete’s answers to these 5 toughest questions reveal best … [Read more...]
Carefully prepared Cañete dogged by conflict of interest
The candidate for EU Climate and Energy Commissioner, Miguel Arias Cañete from Spain, demonstrated an impressive grasp of his subject matter at his hearing at the European Parliament on Wednesday night in Brussels. But he failed to answer repeated questions about his brother-in-law’s involvement in two oil-related companies. Today, his future hangs in the balance as he becomes a hostage in a fight between the Parliament’s different political … [Read more...]
IEA: Solar costs heading to 4c/kWh, rooftop solar “unbeatable”
The traditionally conservative International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts the cost of solar energy will fall to around 4c/kWh in coming decades as the sun becomes the largest source of power generation across the world. The latest “Solar Roadmap” published by the IEA on Monday shows that the speed with which solar is reaching “socket parity” has taken the world by surprise, writes Giles Parkinson of Reneweconomy.com.au. … [Read more...]