News | REEGLE - Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Energy & Enviro Finland News: EU may link carbon markets with UN trading scheme shortly

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:17:49 +0200

The European Commission will link "before December 2008 at the latest" an EU market in carbon emissions permits with a related U.N.-run trading scheme, it said in a statement, writes Reuters. The connection should happen shortly, said European Commission environment spokeswoman Barbara Helfferich, who declined to give a more precise indication of the date.
An EU source told Reuters a firm date may be announced this week. "Possibly at some point this week...we'll issue details of a precise date." Until now there was no software link between the EU and U.N. schemes allowing CER delivery.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Steps to halve U.S. gasoline consumption by 2035

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:44:22 +0200

According to a new MIT report, the nation would save in the year 2035 about half the fuel currently used each year by today's vehicles if lightweight hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles dominated the marketplace. This is feasible, but technology alone won't solve problem. It will also require convincing people that they don't need to buy bigger, faster cars. The final key is policy action. A coordinated set of regulatory and fiscal measures will be needed to push and pull improved technologies and greener alternative fuels into the market place in high volume. "Transitioning from our current situation onto a path with declining fuel consumption and emissions, even in the developed world, will take several decades - much longer than we had hoped or realized,"
said John B. Heywood, the Sun Jae Professor of Mechanical Engineering, who led the research. "We've got to start now."

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Asia fast emerging as a center for the global emissions market

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:36:24 +0200

Analysts expect increased participation of Asian countries in the carbon credit trade, with most of them cornering big investments in clean development mechanism (CDM) projects, writes Philippine Daily Inquirer. Asia Carbon Global group director Yuvaraj Dinesh Babu revealed that securing 1 or 2 percent of CDM projects would make a big difference in carbon trading in Asia. China has so far cornered 46 percent of CDM projects, followed by India with 36 percent. Malaysia is a distant third with 5 percent while Indonesia and the Philippines have 3 percent each. To date, the single largest bilateral and unilateral carbon market exists in Asia. International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) president Henry Derwent revealed that there was confidence in the overall picture of the market. But for the countries in the southeast Asian region, including the Philippines, "they have a long way to go before their full potential to immerse into carbon trading is realized."

Energy & Enviro Finland News: World Bank taps solar market - invests in a Russian company

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:59:37 +0200

The bank's International Finance Corp (IFC) this week announced a USD 50 million equity stake in Russian Polysilicon producer Nitol and provided USD 25 million loan to the company to help establish new production facilities in Usoliye Sibirskoye, in southeastern Siberia. Nitol's projected output of 3,700 tonnes of polysilicon a year is about 9 percent of last year's global supply. "Nitol is highly suited for this particular project because they have access to cheap raw materials, to low cost hydropower, and have the know-how based on their years of being in a chemical business," said Lance Crist, a senior manager in IFC. Growth in solar energy has caused shortages of polysilicon and pushed prices to over USD 400 per kilogram on the spot market right now from just USD 30 a few years ago. The Nitol investment may help to bring down costs of solar energy.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Breakthrough: An efficient process for storing solar energy

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 11:34:23 +0200

MIT researchers have overcome a major barrier to store solar power for use when the sun doesn't shine. The new process will allow the sun's energy to be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Later, the oxygen and hydrogen may be recombined inside a fuel cell, creating carbon-free electricity day or night. The developers, Daniel Nocera, the Henry Dreyfus Professor of Energy at MIT and Matthew Kanan, a postdoctoral fellow in Nocera's laboratory are describing the work in the July 31 issue of Science. More engineering work needs to be done to integrate the new scientific discovery into existing photovoltaic systems, but Nocera hopes that within 10 years, for instance, homeowners will be able to power their homes in daylight through solar cells, while using excess solar energy to produce hydrogen and oxygen to power their own household fuel cell. James Barber, the Ernst Chain Professor of Biochemistry at Imperial College London, who was not involved in this research, called the discovery by Nocera and Kanan a "giant leap" toward generating carbon-free energy on a massive scale.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Beijing unveiled emergency measures for cleaner air

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:35:31 +0200

China has already done a lot of work to get "blue sky" for Beijing Olympics but air quality has remain unfourable
due to lack of rain and wind. If meteorological departments foresee a poor air quality induced by "extreme unfavorable weather conditions" in the coming two days, Beijing and the nearby areas will expand their current curbs on cars and factories. For instance, in Tianjin 56 more coal-fueled power companies, coal-fired heating projects, building materials, electric and chemical factories would be suspended from production. Cars are banned on alternate days according to their odd or even plate numbers. Similar measures would be carried out in Hebei.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Japan to start trial carbon trading in October

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 08:49:33 +0200

Japan will set down rules in September on how to take part in a trial carbon trading scheme and in October it would like to get started, according to Reuters. "Japan should take the lead in building a low carbon society. This is the first concrete step toward that," said Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. Steelmakers and other big emitters in the country argue that a move closer to a European Union-style cap-and-trade system with mandatory emissions limits, would curb their growth. "But the introduction of such a scheme could lure overseas banks and other institutions wishing to trade emissions permits," said analysts. Japan has, until now, encouraged voluntary reduction pledges from individual industries.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Wind could produce one-fourth of EU's electricity by 2030

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:14:49 +0200

Currently, less than 4 percent of the EU’s electricity consumption is met by wind power, but the wind has potential to meet 28 percent of the demand by 2030, according to the European Wind Energy Technology Platform (TPWind). In its Strategic Research Agenda TPWind presents a vision in which wind energy covers 12-14 percent of the EU’s electricity consumption by 2020, with a total installed capacity of 180 gigawatts. By 2030, this could be increased to 300 gigawatts. Final focus will be strengthening European wind power exports. Fulfilling this vision will be a major industrial and technological challenge, and it requires both policy-makers and sector players implement strategic action in technology and policy research.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Feed-in tariffs boost solar power across Europe

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 11:06:10 +0200

The solar photovoltaic sector is building momentum across Europe, particularly in Spain. This development is catalyzed by newly adopted feed-in tariffs. Project size is scaling and causing shifts in competitive positioning along the project development value chain, says a recent study from Emerging Energy Research (EER). Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, and Portugal are expected to hold the lion's share of PV development. But the establishment of high feed-in tariffs in emerging markets, including the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Switzerland has set off a wave of PV development activity.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Climate change carries a high price tag for U.S. states

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:35:38 +0200

Climate change will carry a price tag of billions of dollars for a number of U.S. states, says a new series of reports from the University of Maryland's Center for Integrative Environmental Research (CIER). The researchers conclude that the costs have already begun to accrue and are likely to endure. The trend is very clear for eight states and the nation as a whole. "If there's a single bottom line in all of this research, it's that delaying action on climate change carries a significant cost," says Dr. Matthias Ruth, who coordinated the research. "State, local and national leaders will save money in the long run by adopting a proactive approach."

Energy & Enviro Finland News: World needs a new plan to tackle credit, energy and climate crises

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:50:03 +0200

The world needs a New Green Deal-type policies to confront the disastrous combination of climate change, high inflation and economic slowdown, recommends a report by the New Economics Foundation. The report calls, for instance, massive investment in renewable energy and financial incentives and policies to promote energy efficiency. It also urges that every home must generate its own power, that an oil legacy fund must be set up using taxes on oil and natural gas companies to help pay for green transformation, and that carbon should be priced according to its climate impact.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: OECD: Biofuel support to be refocused on more effective alternatives

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:14:01 +0200

Government support of biofuel production in OECD countries is costly and has a limited impact on reducing greenhouse gases, says the OECD's report, and calls on governments to refocus policies to encourage lower energy consumption, particularly in the transport sector. In addition, the report recommends to accelerate development of second generation biofuels that do not require commodity feedstocks. The report also calls for more open markets in biofuels and feedstocks in order to improve efficiency and lower costs.

EERE Network News: G8 Leaders Commit to 50% Cut in Greenhouse Gases by 2050

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:00:04 +0200

The leaders of the world's top eight industrialized nations have agreed to pursue an international climate agreement that includes a 50% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. But the Group of Eight, or G8, still needs to convince other economic powerhouses to agree to the goal.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: EP: Energy efficiency initiative should be included in the energy technology plan

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:20:54 +0200

The European Parliament (EP) considers the European Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan as "fundamental to achieving the EU's energy climate objectives for 2020", which include reductions in CO2 emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy and improvements in energy efficiency, if it has adequate financial support. To respond to these tasks, the EP outlines in a new report recommendations how the EU can strengthen the SET Plan and says, for instance, that energy efficiency needs to be included in the SET Plan in an own initiative because "it is the area with the most potential for cost effective emission reductions in the medium term".

Energy & Enviro Finland News: EU will drastically cut standby electricity consumption

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:45:00 +0200

The endorsed regulation requires to cut the standby electricity consumption of all household and office products sold in the EU by 73% by 2020. Depending on the product, it sets a maximum allowed power consumption for standby of either 1 or 2 watts for the year 2010. As of 2013 the admissible power consumption level will be lowered to 0.5 watt or 1 watt. The regulation will reduce the EU's standby electricity consumption 50 TWh per year or as much as Denmark's yearly electricity consumption. Further savings are expected in other parts of the world as well, since many of the targeted products are sold worldwide.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: U.N. chief: G-8 good beginning, but speeder action needed

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:16:50 +0200

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the Group of Eights statement on climate change and the environment, including the G-8's long-term goal of reducing emissions by 50 per cent by 2050, as "a clear step forward." At the same time, he stressed the need to go further. "By next year in Copenhagen we need to collectively agree to ambitious mid-term emission reduction targets for developed countries, coupled with meaningful efforts by developing countries to reduce the growth of their emissions, consistent with the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities," he said. Ban was also pleased with the "strong commitment" of the G-8 to address the global food crisis in a Global Partnership for Food, facilitated and coordinated by the U.N.

REEEP News: G8 Leaders Statement on Climate Change

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:21:15 +0200

09.07.2008 - We, the leaders of Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States met as the world's major economies in Toyako, Hokkaido, Japan, on 9 July, 2008, and declare as follows:

Energy & Enviro Finland News: EU included aviation in emission trading system

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:58:17 +0200

The European Parliament voted in favour of including aviation in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) from 2012. Under the new directive greenhouse gas emissions from flights to, from and within the EU will be included in the system. All airlines will be covered whatever their nationality. In 2012, the airlines will receive 85% emission allowances free, but the rest 15% they will have to buy through auctions. On current trends, aviation emissions are likely to more than double from present levels by 2020.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: G8 agreed on halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:50:12 +0200

The Group of Eight countries want to work with the nearly 200 states involved in U.N. climate change talks to adopt a goal of at least halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, according to a draft communique obtained by Reuters ahead of its formal approval. Mid-term goals also would be needed to achieve the shared goal for 2050. The statement puts the focus of fighting global warming on U.N.-led talks. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the deal represented a "new, shared vision" and kept negotiations on track for a global deal in 2009. The G8 would also unveil a series of measures to help Africa and would give USD 50 billion extra in aid by 2010.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: EU source: G8 to progress on climate issues, including emissions targets

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:54:02 +0200

So far we have seen progress, difficult progress but progress, said the source, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity. This year's G8 meeting would be considered a failure by Brussels if there was no agreement to cut emissions by 50 percent by 2050, the EU source said, adding that there was already common ground on other issues. These included the use of market mechanisms, including emissions trading as "the way to go and I think that is quite useful and it has been signed up by all the G8 members", the source told Reuters.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Germany aims to obtain 25 000 MW wind power by 2030

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:01:40 +0200

The German government wants to build up to 30 offshore windfarms in a bid to meet its renewable energy targets, Environment Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. The windfarms would be built in the Baltic and North seas and some 2000 windmills with total capacity of 11 000 megawatts of electricity will be operating soon. The first windfarm will go up off Borkum island later this year. "The government is aiming to obtain 25 000 megawatts of energy from windfarms by 2030," Tiefensee told the Welt am Sonntag.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: U.S. seeks progress on climate goal at G8

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:41:47 +0200

President George W. Bush on Wednesday said he hoped industrialized and developing nations could make progress on a long-term goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, reports Reuters. Bush said any agreement must include those other countries and not just the leading industrial countries. Effectiveness comes when major economies come to the table. "The first step is to agree to a long-term goal. I've talked to our sherpa about that, and he feels pretty good that people are now coming to the clear understanding that we're going to have to come to a long-term goal," President Bush said.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: World Bank approves climate funds to support developing countries

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:00:13 +0200

The World Bank has agreed to establish two investment funds to help developing economies switch to clean-energy technologies to curb carbon emissions and help poor countries adapt to climate change. Total investments are targeted to reach USD 5 billion over the next three years. The funds are estimated to be fully operational by the fourth quarter of this year. Developing countries will have an equal voice in the governance structures. "The funds will have a significant impact in generating even more financing for climate action and also in demonstrating new approaches to address the current and future effects of climate change," says World Bank President Robert Zoellick.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Russian President sets the environment on the forefront of the agenda

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:47:02 +0200

President Dmitry Medvedev has driven the environment to the forefront of the political agenda since assuming the presidency in May. He said on Saturday, for instance: Parts of Russia will be uninhabitable within the next three decades if the country does not take better care of the environment. Russia must act now! He called an ad hoc meeting of top government officials this month to discuss clean and efficient energy. Russia also this month pledged budget funds for clean energy and called for limits on greenhouse gas emissions in a reversal of its earlier reluctance to embrace the Kyoto Protocol.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: China and U.S. agreed on ten-year energy and environment cooperation

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:46:43 +0200

China and the United States have signed a ten-year energy and environment cooperation framework. The framework's five goals include clean, efficient and secure electricity production and transmission, clean water, clean air, clean and efficient transportation, conservation of forest and wetland ecosystems. China and the U.S. also agreed to explore the concept of Ecopartnership as a potential vehicle for implementing goals of the framework.

EERE Network News: DOE Offers $90 Million for Enhanced Geothermal Systems

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:00:00 +0200

DOE announced on June 18 that it would provide up to $90 million over the next 4 years for the research, development, and demonstration of enhanced geothermal systems, an advanced geothermal technology that drills deep wells into hot rocks, fractures them, and circulates a fluid through the fractures to extract heat.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: EU's overall missions fell, emissions from transport up

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:24:25 +0200

EU-27 carbon dioxide emissions fell 0.3 percent in 2006. The drop can be attributed to the reduction in nitric acid production, decreases in emissions from chemicals production in France and Hungary and lower overall use of gas and liquid fuels by households. Emissions from road transport rose 0.7 percent in 2006. Furthermore, emissions from international aviation and shipping activities continued to rise sharply. The 0.8 percent drop in EU-15 emissions between 2005 and 2006 contrasted with an increase in GDP of 2.8 percent over the period, meaning that the EU has succeeded in further decoupling emissions from economic growth.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: U.N. urges property to cut its massive carbon footprint

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:21:17 +0200

The global property industry could pay a high price for moving too slowly to shrink its colossal carbon footprint, a report to a United Nations conference on the environment said. The new report was launched by the UNEP FI Property Working Group, whose members manage USD 300 billion in property assets. Buildings directly and indirectly are responsible for around half of global carbon dioxide emissions. The report highlights the wide range of opportunities that exist for institutional investors who want to take positive action.

Renewable Energy News (renewableenergyaccess.com): Study Finds Solar Could Provide 10% of U.S. Generation by 2025

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:00:00 +0200

A new study from Clean Edge says that solar energy could reach cost parity with retail-electricity rates in most regions of the U.S. in less than a decade. The "Utility Solar Assessment (USA)" study, produced by Clean Edge and Co-op America, provides a roadmap for utilities, solar companies and regulators to reach 10% solar in the U.S. by 2025.

Renewable Energy News (renewableenergyaccess.com): Wind Lifted by Higher Tariffs in Germany

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:00:00 +0200

The wind energy sector in Germany has been given a big boost by an amendment to the country's renewable energy law. Under the new law set to come into force on January 1, 2009, the feed-in tariff for onshore wind farms will be increased from EUR 7.9 to 9.2 cents/kilowatt-hour (kWh) while the tariff for offshore wind will go up to EUR 13 cents/kWh.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: G8 ministers to boost low carbon research and cooperation

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:12:23 +0200

The Group of Eight's science and technology ministers aim to boost funding for research which will lead to the realization of a low carbon economy. They recognize that science and technology is an important key to sustainable development worldwide. They also emphasized the importance of promoting science and technology cooperation between developed and developing countries. The ministers gathered on Sunday in Okinawa, Japan.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Winning the fight against climate change - an EU Perspective

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 17:47:42 +0200

Commissioner for Environment Stavros Dimas gave a speech in the Cambridge University on Friday and said, for instance: With climate change a global response is the only possible solution and there are clear reasons why this will need a strong and effective European Union. If we are to have a chance of successfully tackling climate change the real challenges are political. The EU has risen to this challenge. The competitiveness of the European economy will be determined by the progress that we make towards a low carbon economy built on resource and energy efficiency. The immediate task over the next months will be convincing our partners to follow our example. But with the engagement of major developing countries and the progressive position on climate from both US Presidential candidates I believe there is a real window of opportunity to reach an international agreement in Copenhagen.

EERE Network News: World's Top Energy Ministers Launch Energy Efficiency Effort

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:00:06 +0200

The energy ministers from the Group of Eight, as well as China, India, and South Korea, have agreed to establish the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation, which will serve as a forum for facilitating a broad range of actions that yield significant gains in energy efficiency.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: G8 energy ministers: Nations must improve energy efficiency

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:31:06 +0200

G8 energy ministers appeared to reflect a growing acceptance that consumer nations must find ways to temper their own demand by focusing on technology, conservation and diversification rather than hounding OPEC to pump ever more oil, reports Reuters from Japan. "We all recognize that tremendous progress is being made on energy efficiency and energy diversification, but more has to be done," said Gary Lunn, Natural Resources Minister, Canada, for instance.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Now or never - IEA urges energy technology revolution

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 18:45:54 +0200

According to Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director of the IEA, we are very far from sustainable development. In fact, CO2 emissions growth has accelerated considerably in recent years. To respond to this challenge, the IEA report shows pathways to sustained economic growth based on clean and affordable energy technology. World governments must start a USD 45 trillion "energy technology revolution" or risk a 130 percent surge in carbon emissions by 2050, the report says. Analysts said the IEA's cost estimate of about 1.1 percent of global GDP each year from now to 2050, sounded fair.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: U.N. urges all to end their carbon addiction

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:08:06 +0200

The U.N. has marked World Environment Day,5 June, by urging individuals, companies and governments alike to kick their addiction to carbon dioxide. "Our world is in a grip of a dangerous carbon habit. Addiction is a terrible thing. It consumes and controls us, makes us deny important truths and blinds us to the consequences of our actions," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message for the World Environment Day. Global warming was becoming the defining issue of the era and will hurt the rich and poor alike, he added.

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: EU defends sustainable biofuels policy as criticism mounts

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:00:01 +0200

Forbes

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: United Kingdom: Huge increase in wind power planned

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:00:01 +0200

Independent

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: Russia swings to openness on Kyoto, clean energy

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:00:01 +0200

Guardian

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: EU low-cost airlines reject planned emissions trading rules

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:00:01 +0200

Associated Press: Low-cost airlines on Tuesday called on the European Union to reject a plan that would force air carriers to trade pollution allowances because they say it risks turning potential environmental benefits into punitive fees for air carriers and passengers. Under the EU proposal, debated by the member states' governments and the European Parliament, airlines would trade pollution permits, forcing them to buy more credits over a certain limit of CO2 emission or reduce the greenhouse gases ...

Environmental Finance Online News: G8 environment ministers push for 50% emission cuts by 2050 (from Carbon Finance)

Thu, 29 May 2008 19:09:36 +0200

29 May: Politicians attending the G8 environment ministers' meeting in Kobe, Japan, have reaffirmed their will to adopt stringent greenhouse gas reductions of 50% or more by 2050, but set no actual targets.

REEEP News: Liberian Micro-Finance Solar Lantern Project Wins World Bank Award

Wed, 28 May 2008 08:05:57 +0200

14.05.2008 - The Center for Sustainable Energy Technology (CSET) was one of the winners of the World Bank/IFC award for "Innovations in Off-Grid Lighting Products and Services for Africa. The NGO was awarded a USD $200,000 grant to implement a project to provide improved lighting and battery charging for low-income households and street vendors through the use of micro-financed solar/LED lanterns in rural Liberia.

AllAfrica News: Energy: Kenya: Rural Areas Investing in Renewable Energy

Tue, 27 May 2008 23:52:58 +0200

The United Nations International Development Organisation (Unido) is calling on communities without access to electricity to submit renewable energy production proposals for funding.

EERE Network News: DOE Offers $130 Million to Advance Fuel Cell Technology

Tue, 27 May 2008 21:00:00 +0200

With up to $130 million in funding available over the next 3 years, DOE is seeking proposals for research, development, and demonstrations of fuel cells. And thanks to General Motors Corporation, DOE staff will also have an opportunity to drive a fuel cell vehicle over the next six months.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Norway could build a huge wind power capacity

Tue, 27 May 2008 08:42:09 +0200

Norway could become "Europe's battery" by developing offshore wind parks totaling up to 8 000 megawatts with costs up to USD 44 billion by 2025, Norway's Oil and Energy Minister told Reuters. Wind parks, which would stop on calm days, could be supplemented by hydro-power reservoirs which can be turned on and off to turn them into a battery storing power. To proceed, Norway needs new laws, competitive subsidies and more infrastructure.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: MIT researchers point to potential economy-boosting technologies

Sat, 24 May 2008 20:11:33 +0200

As the economy appears to falter and as more Americans fear that their country is on the wrong track, here's something to keep in mind: There is hope on the horizon. To help build the case for optimism, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's News Office asked a collection of MIT faculty and researchers for their thoughts on the potentially life-altering technologies that lie just around the corner. History is filled with examples of how technology helped usher in new eras of prosperity e.g. the Internet.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: EU to accelerate hydrogen and fuel cell based energy systems

Sat, 24 May 2008 10:50:04 +0200

The European Parliament has given its support to the Initiative, which aims to facilitate and accelerate the development and deployment of cost-competitive hydrogen and fuel cell based energy systems and component technologies.
The plan foresees a series of actions relating to the development commercial hand-held devices and portable generators, combined heat and power, and mass market roll-out of transport applications.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Google Earth peeks at climate future

Thu, 22 May 2008 13:44:25 +0200

Google has added a climate change overlay to its Google Earth function, which shows how climate change could affect the planet and its people over the next 100 years. In addition, it views the the loss of Antarctic ice shelves over the last 50 years. Users can also access information on action that can be taken by individuals, communities, businesses and governments to tackle climate change, and highlights good work already underway.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: European Parliament calls stronger efforts on mitigation climate change

Thu, 22 May 2008 11:42:39 +0200

European Parliament's interim report calls for additional research, and warns that current policies are not enough to stem global warming in the long-term. Kyoto targets within reach – but more ambitious cuts needed, the reports says. To curb emissions, the EP's report especially calls for research into the impact of the policy of promoting biofuels and their effects on the increase of deforestation, the expansion of cultivated land and world food supplies. The report also says EU consumers must be given better information about the carbon footprint of goods they buy, including products imported into the EU.

EERE Network News: Long Island Utility to Launch a 10-Year Energy Efficiency Program

Wed, 14 May 2008 09:00:03 +0200

The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) plans to invest nearly a billion dollars in energy efficiency over the next 10 years under its new Efficiency Long Island program. The program will launch on January 1, 2009, and will replace the energy efficiency part of LIPA's Clean Energy Initiative.

REEEP News: REEEP Supports World Bank Initiative on Lighting Africa

Tue, 13 May 2008 12:42:15 +0200

12.05.2008 - Last week in Ghana, 52 short-listed finalists of the international Lighting Africa competition were assessed by an international juror panel who selected 16 finalists. Each finalist will receive up to $200,000 in seed funding to develop and implement their ideas, for a total of $3 million. Dr. Marianne Osterkorn, International Director of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) based in Vienna, was one of 20 jurors involved in assessing the finalist proposals.

REEEP News: FINLAND Joins International Renewables Partnership

Wed, 07 May 2008 17:53:12 +0200

29.04.2008 - Finland today became a formal partner of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP).

Energy & Enviro Finland News: U.N. on the way to reach climate change deal by the end of 2009

Mon, 05 May 2008 09:33:54 +0200

The world can reach a significant new climate change pact by the end of 2009 if current talks keep up their momentum, estimates Rajendra Pachauri, head of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change. "If this momentum continues you will get an agreement that is not too full of compromises," Pachauri said during a seminar at the Asian Development Bank annual meeting in Madrid on Sunday.
Pachauri said that popular awareness of global warming had risen sharply over the last 12 months and put pressure on Washington and other governments for action. He believed it would be very difficult for any country to remain outside a climate change pact. "There's a question of national prestige involved."

REEEP News: Liberia Finds Role for Renewables

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:43:53 +0200

17.04.2008 - War-torn Liberia lacks many typical barriers to clean energy

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Consultation to prepare an EU Offshore Wind Energy Action Plan launched

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:52:28 +0200

The European Commission is inviting investors, project developers, wind turbine manufacturers, energy companies, government services, environmental NGOs and all other interested stakeholders, including the general public, to help identify the key barriers for the further development of offshore wind energy in Europe and what might be done to overcome them.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Synthetic biofuel plant to start commercial operation in Germany

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 11:06:13 +0200

Construction stage of the commercial biomass-to-liquid (Btl) plant in Freiberg, Saxony in Eastern Germany is completed. The plant will use forest residues, waste wood, fast-growing timber and agricultural residue. Thus, the Btl production does not compete with food production. The plant owned by Choren, will reach its full annual capacity of 18 million liters (4.7 million gallons) within 8 to 12 months. It is reported to be world's first commercial biomass-to-liquid plant.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Russia's energy sector moves towards renewables

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:39:14 +0200

The modernization of Russia’s power sector will extend to renewables. The country aims to produce 21 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. At present renewables account for just 0.6 per cent.
The overwhelming size of Russia implies a strong development potential for all renewable energy resources. However, the move away from coal and natural gas will take several years.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Climate talks advance, but split on halving emissions by 2050

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:06:13 +0200

Major economies made progress in defining the building blocks of a new U.N. deal to fight climate change on Friday in Paris, but ended split over whether to set a goal of halving world greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, reports Reuters. The U.S. said it was still "seriously considering" whether to adopt the goal. Developing nations said they would not adapt such a goal unless Washington did far more to curb emissions, mainly from burning fossil fuels.

Renewable Energy News (renewableenergyaccess.com): Windlife Plans 200-MW Wind Farm in Murmansk

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:00:00 +0200

Windlife Energy BV is planning to install a 200-megawatt (MW) wind farm near the Russian town of Murmansk. Windlife Energy has signed a deal with the Murmansk district authorities that grants the company land rights and building permits to install the first phase of the wind farm.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: India proposes new steps to combat climate change

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:50:48 +0200

India has proposed a set of steps, including 'climate proofing' of public infrastructure investments, food security and water resources that the developing countries can adopt to combat climate change, according to Finance Minister P Chidambaram.

Environmental Finance Online News: ADB to seed up to $1.2 billion of clean energy funds

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:03:17 +0200

London, 17 April: The Asian Development Bank has named five clean energy private equity funds to which it is providing up to $100 million in seed financing. Between them, the funds hope to raise a total of $1.2 billion to invest in clean energy projects in Asia.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Lord Stern: We underestimated the climate change

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:47:47 +0200

The internationally influential Stern report on climate change underestimated the risks of global warming and should have presented an even bleaker view of the future, according to its own author, Lord Stern. "We underestimated the risks, we underestimated the damage associated with the temperature increases. and we nderestimated the probabilities of emperature increases," Lord Stern, former chief economist at the World Bank, told the Financial Times.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: U.N. official urges exemption from carbon emissions for China and India

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:15:03 +0200

China and India should not have to submit to the same restrictions on carbon emissions that the United States and other developed nations must, said Mr. Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of the U.N. climate treaty secretariat, in an interview with The Washington Times.
According to Mr. de Boer, developing nations are "still at the beginning of development," while developed countries such as the United States and those in Europe have "a historical responsibility" for emitting greenhouse gases.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: New MIT-Fraunhofer research center to focus on green buildings

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:20:50 +0200

Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems announced the formation of a new Center for Sustainable Energy Systems in Massachusetts, part of a collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The new center will be located adjacent to the MIT campus, with an initial focus on solar, green buildings and energy device prototyping.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: International projects for the Energy Globe Award nominated

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:20:21 +0200

Projects from 109 countries apply for the Energy Globe Award 2007. The international nominees in the categories Earth, Fire, Air, Water and Youth were announced this week. On Monday, 26 May 2008, the Plenary Hall in Brussels opens its doors for the environmental mega-event, where the winning projects are presented and renowned speakers honor the international project winners. The Energy Globe is awarded to projects from all over the world that make careful and economical use of resources and employ alternative energy sources.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: UN official: The train to Copenhagen has left the station

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:33:15 +0200

The first major UN climate change talks since the Bali meeting last December have wound up in Bangkok with a schedule agreed for how the 189 nations of the UN climate convention will work towards a new global climate treaty to extend the Kyoto Protocol which runs out in 2012. According to Yvo de Boer, executive secretary of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the meeting's outcome is major step in implementing the Bali roadmap saying "the train to Copenhagen has left the station".

Renewable Energy News (renewableenergyaccess.com): Scotland's First Tidal Energy Project Proposed

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:00:00 +0200

Proposals for the development of Scotland's first commercial-sized tidal energy project have been approved by the community-owned Islay Energy Trust (IET). The proposed project is likely to consist of 4-6 turbine devices with a total capacity around 2 megawatts (MW) that will be installed in the Sound of Islay, an island in the Orkneys off the coast of Scotland.

EERE Network News: California Utility to Install 250 Megawatts of Solar Panels

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:00:05 +0200

Southern California Edison is planning to install 250 megawatts of solar photovoltaic panels on commercial buildings in its service area over the next five years. The project will cost $875 million and will cover 2.33 square miles of rooftop.

REEEP News: IEA Launches International CHP Report

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:34:25 +0100

14.03.2008 - The report is the beginning of the outreach strategy that the IEA will use in 2008-09 to raise the profile of CHP/DHC among policy makers, industry and other stakeholders. Its sister publication will be released in October 2008. For more information visit the IEA website, as they are regularly adding new content, including country profiles, policy case studies, and other information.

REEEP News: £2.5 Million in UK Funding for Renewable Energy Partnership

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:34:24 +0100

14.03.2008 - UK Environment Minister, Phil Woolas said that the funding would form part of a three year further financial commitment to REEEP by the UK. The UK has contributed nearly £9 million to the Partnership since its inception in 2003. Mr Woolas said: “The world needs to shift to a low carbon economy, and it needs to do it quickly. This week’s Budget showed that we in the UK are serious about moving to low carbon growth within our own borders – and [...]

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Americans’ appetite for environmentally friendly technologies is strong

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:07:48 +0100

Americans’ appetite for environmentally friendly technologies and consumer products is grossly underserved, with a potential USD 104 billion in sales this year, according to the 2007 National Technology Readiness Survey (NTRS).

Energy & Enviro Finland News: EU still committed to ambitious climate goals - despite aims to protect heavy industries

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:10:52 +0100

At the EU Council's spring meeting on 14 March, Germany secured pledges that several of its heavy industries could be protected from international competition and exempted from the EU's plan to combat global warming. "EU's leaders are still committed to ambitious CO2 cuts of up to 30% by 2020, despite the appearance of back-tracking at the European summit," ensures Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, in an interview for BBC News.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Germany's renewable energies grow strongly last year

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:12:16 +0100

Renewable energies achieved a share of 14.2 per cent of the country's gross electricity consumption in 2007. This is one fifth more than the previous year. The increase recorded in one year is therefore enough to supply a city the size of Hamburg with electricity.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: U.S. could double its hydropower capacity

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:28:56 +0100

Hydropower production has slightly declined in the U.S. over the last two decades. However, the huge utilization potential in small hydropower, related new technologies and current boom of other renewables may boost take-off of the investments. But before this is possible, the permitting process must be get more fluent.

AllAfrica News: Energy: Nigeria: Country Already Has Capacity for 6,000mw

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:00:11 +0100

The Managing Director of Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO), Dr. Samuel Agbogun, has said the nation's power sector has the capacity to generate, as at today, a little over 6,000 megawatts of electricity.

REEEP News: Enhancing Public-Private Partnerships for RE and EE Development in Russia

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:58:25 +0100

22.03.2007 - The REEEP initiated roundtable held in the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation was aimed at discussing opportunities for enhancing public-private partnerships in Russia. The Public Chamber was established in 2005 to ensure public involvement in the decision-making process of important national issues.

REEEP News: Policymakers Around the Globe Must Push Renewable Energy

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:57:49 +0100

05.03.2008 - Policymakers worldwide must use tested solutions more aggressively to develop and boost the adoption of renewable energy technologies, a report prepared by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership says. The report's main conclusions, based on consultations with government officials and business and nongovernmental groups around the world, were delivered to participants from more than 80 countries attending the March 3-6 Washington International Renewable Energy Conference [...]

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: India: Make solar lamps not war - Nobel scientist Pachauri

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 07:00:01 +0100

Reuters: One billion people can get electricity for the first time for little more than the cost of one month's war in Iraq, said Rajendra Pachauri, the head of a Nobel peace prize-winning U.N. panel of climate scientists. Pachauri is supporting a campaign "lighting a billion lives", led by India's Energy and Resources Institute, to furnish people without access to the grid with electric lanterns powered by solar photovoltaic panels. "Millions and millions of people do ...

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Alarming increase in expected growth of China CO2 emissions

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:35:13 +0100

Previous estimates say the region that includes China will see a 2.5 to 5 percent annual increase in CO2 emissions. The new UC analysis puts that annual growth rate for China to at least 11 percent for the same time period. The projected annual increase in China alone over the next several years is greater than the current emissions produced by either Great Britain or Germany.

Renewable Energy News (renewableenergyaccess.com): 2008 Renewable Energy Improvements Program Funds Available

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:00:00 +0100

USDA Rural Development has released its NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) for this year's Section 9006 clean energy grant and loan guarantee program. Congress recently boosted total 2008 funding for this program from US $23 million to US $36 million in recognition of the value and demand for Section 9006.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: IBM to harness computer's waste heat for domestic heating

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 15:19:53 +0100

A cooling system developed by the IBM engineers allows the waste heat from computer chips to be put to use for domestic heating, writes News Scientist.
IBM's aim is to harness much of the energy now wasted as heat by corporate data centers and feed it into nearby homes and offices. Data centers worldwide account for 2 per cent of global CO2 emissions - about the same as that from aviation.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: EU ministers to prepare the March European Council

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:40:15 +0100

The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council will meet in Brussels on Monday 10 March to prepare the March European Council. Finland underlines that climate and energy issues should be prominently integrated into the Lisbon Strategy. It would be particularly important to finalize discussions on the climate and energy package at the beginning of 2009 at the latest.

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Pledges to advance the uptake of renewable energy can be submitted for one month

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:13:43 +0100

The Renewable Energy Policy Network (REN21) supported Washington International Renewable Energy Conference WIREC 2008 by collecting voluntary and action-oriented pledges.More than 100 pledges received. Pledges can be submitted for one month. The final deadline for submission is 4 April 2008.

REEEP News: Renewable Energy could meet up to 50% of Southern Africa's Energy Needs

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 12:15:48 +0100

Renewable Energy could meet up to 50% of Southern Africa's Energy Needs

AllAfrica News: Climate: Africa: Forestry Sector Critical to Climate Change Debate

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:38:00 +0100

"Forests play a critical role in climate change," FAO said today during the opening day of the first-ever joint meetings between the Near East Forestry Commission and the Africa Forestry and Wildlife Commission. "The Forestry sector, mainly deforestation in tropical areas, causes 17 percent of global emissions of greenhouse gases. Sustainable forest management is a necessary component of a global strategy to combat climate change", said Jan Heino, FAO Assistant Director-General for Forestry.

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: China's listed firms forced to submit environmental data: report

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:00:01 +0100

Agence France-Presse: China's heavily-polluting and energy-intensive companies will be forced to make full disclosures of their environmental impact, state media reported Tuesday. All companies, not just those seeking to list on the stock market, will be required to make the disclosures, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a regulation released by the State Environmental Protection Administration. The government will enforce the regulations and make sure that inspections are carried out before ...

Renewable Energy News (renewableenergyaccess.com): Green Britain Gears Up for Climate Change Battle

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:00:00 +0100

The goal is ambitious: to install 33 gigawatts (GW) of wind power capacity in the next ten years to supply electricity to 25 million homes.

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: US to set 'binding' climate goals

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 07:00:01 +0100

BBC: The US is ready to accept "binding international obligations" on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, officials say, if other nations do the same. The comments came in a news conference in Paris given by James Connaughton and Daniel Price, environmental and economics advisers to President Bush. The US hopes the world's major economies will conclude a "leaders' declaration" before the July G8 summit. There was no indication of how much the US might be ...

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: Mexico sets 25 percent renewable goal

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 07:00:01 +0100

United Press International: Within four years, Mexico wants to produce 25 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, the country's energy secretary said. "The goal is that in 2012 renewable energy sources will account for more than a quarter of total capacity," said Georgina Kessel. One of the Mexican government's priorities is to promote renewable energy as a means of ensuring the country's energy security, Spanish news agency EFE reported. An important part of that strategy ...

Energy & Enviro Finland News: Energy issues on the agenda of EU Competitiveness Council

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:38:43 +0100

The EU Competitiveness Council will meet in Brussels on Monday 25 February. In addition of Lisbon economic reform and Single market, the ministers will discuss, for instance,
the Strategic Energy Technology Plan, Directive to reduce emissions of CO2 from cars, and
a far-reaching package of proposals to fight climate change.

REEEP News: India to Lower Risk for Investing in Renewables

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:27:31 +0100

India to Lower Risk for Investing in Renewables

REEEP News: Energy Efficiency Coalition to Enforce Standards Globally

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:27:31 +0100

Energy Efficiency Coalition to Enforce Standards Globally

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: EU urged to clarify emissions trading reforms

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 07:00:01 +0100

Financial Times: Heavy industries in the European Union must be told as soon as possible whether they will continue to receive pollution permits for free, France and Germany have warned. Paris and Berlin are among seven capitals to have written to Brussels urging clarity on the overhaul of the union's emissions trading scheme. The move marks the latest controversy in the EU's efforts to fight climate change and cut greenhouse gas emissions. The letter, sent on Friday to both the European ...

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: Asia's tigers eye nuclear future

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:00:01 +0100

Asia Times: The 2005-07 spike in petroleum prices topping out at US$100 a barrel has prodded economic planners across the globe to reconsider their energy options in an age of growing concern over global warming and carbon emissions. The Southeast Asian economies, beneficiaries of an oil and gas export bonanza through the 1970s-1990s, now find themselves in an energy crunch as once-ample reserves run down and the search is on for new and cleaner energy supplies. Notably, regional leaders at the ...

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: United Kingdom: Against The Grain: It's hard to see why nuclear is the favoured route'

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:00:01 +0100

Independent: The two core arguments made by the nuclear industry are security of supply and global warming. Let's take global warming first. If we were to rebuild our entire nuclear stock we would mitigate only 4 per cent of our CO2 emissions, so how can it be about global warming? If you're serious about CO2, then get serious about transport, or other forms of energy. In terms of supply, the fear is that Russia will turn off the gas. Unfortunately, half our gas is directed to domestic heating ...

EERE Network News: WIREC Highlights a Busy Energy Conference Season

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 08:00:01 +0100

The Washington International Renewable Energy Conference, or WIREC, will come to Washington, D.C., on March 4-6, drawing the participation of four U.S. cabinet members and energy delegates from around the world. A great number of other energy-related conferences are also coming up soon.

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: The great green land grab

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:00:01 +0100

Guardian: Click! I have just bought 10 sq cm of rainforest for a few pennies on the net. Click click! That's 0.2 sq ft of Patagonia coastline saved from mining. Click click click! A friend has just given me as a present 1 sq m of the Palmyra atoll, wherever that is. Saving the world's most beautiful and ecologically important places just got much cheaper and easier. Hundreds of websites run by charities, trusts, and individuals now invite people to buy up forest, field and mountain to save it ...

Energy & Enviro Finland News: World Bank to establish clean technology fund soon

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:00:11 +0100

Poor countries will soon receive billions of dollars from a new World Bank fund to help them cut pollution, save energy and fight global warming, the organisation has said to Reuters. Developing countries such as India and China are already trying to reduce their carbon emissions, but have baulked at doing more without technological help from Europe, Japan and the United States.

Energy Business Review Latest News: Iberdrola says ScottishPower acquisition increased output by 34%

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:21:00 +0100

Spanish electricity utility Iberdrola has announced that its acquisition of the UK-based utility ScottishPower has helped increase its total electricity output by more than 34% in 2007. Iberdrola produced a total of 123,460GWh electricity of which ScottishPower produced 18,279GWh since April 1, 2007.

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: Global Warming: Sea Level Rise Could Be Twice As High As Current Projections, Greenland Ice Sheet Study Suggests

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:00:01 +0100

Science Daily: A comprehensive new study authored by University at Buffalo scientists and their colleagues for the first time documents in detail the dynamics of parts of Greenland's ice sheet, important data that have long been missing from the ice sheet models on which projections about sea level rise and global warming are based. The research also demonstrates how remote sensing and digital imaging techniques can produce rich datasets without field data in some cases. Traditionally, ice ...

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: Solar Power Boom Faces First Test

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:00:01 +0100

Reuters: Prospects for the solar power sector are puzzling investors juggling on one hand a possible dotcom-style bust and on the other fresh support in Europe, home to a third of the world's market. The solar power industry uses the same silicon raw material as the semiconductor industry and may share a similar boom-bust path, according to some analysts. The semiconductor industry collapsed in 2000 amid a dotcom bust which pulled demand for electronic chips. Solar companies ...

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: UN Climate Fund Seen Fed By More Sources

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:00:01 +0100

Reuters: A fund to help poor countries adapt to consequences of climate change such as rising seas and searing temperatures could soon be enriched by more sources, the UN's top climate change official said on Monday. Recognizing that climate change may be hard to reverse, experts are now examining "adaptation," or protection against potential catastrophes, in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The United Nations agreed to start an adaptation fund for poor ...

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: Bank of America creates environmental banking team

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:00:01 +0100

Reuters: Bank of America Corp, the second-largest U.S. bank, is creating an environmental banking group focused on finding and financing ways to promote conservation and reduce global warming, Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis said on Tuesday. Lewis also called on Congress to create a cap-and-trade framework to limit carbon dioxide emissions and allow the trading of allowances, favoring clear federal standards and a market-based mechanism to set emission values. Presidential candidates ...

AllAfrica News: Climate: Southern Africa: Thirty Percent Less Maize By 2030

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:24:02 +0100

As global warming pushes temperatures up and droughts become more intense, the production of maize, southern Africa's staple food, could drop by as much as 30 percent in another two decades, according to a new study.

Events (from reeep.org): Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) 2008

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:22:32 +0100

Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) 2008

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: UN Gathering to Address Climate Change

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:00:01 +0100

Associated Press: The U.N. General Assembly is bringing together business leaders, activists and government officials for a debate on climate change starting Monday – an effort to keep up the momentum for a new treaty by 2009 to fight global warming. The two-day session is a follow-up to the international climate conference in December on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, where delegates from nearly 190 nations agreed to adopt a blueprint to control global warming gases before the end of next ...

Energy & Enviro Finland News: EU launches a major clean tech project - the green aircraft

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:05:50 +0100

A new generation of greener, more efficient aircraft moved a step closer last week as the Clean Sky JTI research programme was launched in Brussels. With budget EUR 1.6 million, the Clean Sky is one of Europe’s largest research programmes. By 2020, it hopes to cut emissions of carbon dioxide by 50 percent, nitrogen oxide by 80 percent and noise pollution by 50 percent.

Energy Business Review Latest News: RWE joins Nabucco gas pipeline project

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:50:00 +0100

German utility major RWE has announced that its subsidiary, RWE Gas Midstream, has joined the Nabucco gas pipeline project as the sixth partner.

REEEP News: REEEP launches Phase One of its new Website

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:07:19 +0100

REEEP launches Phase One of its new Website

REEEP News: Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Development

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:07:17 +0100

Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Development

REEEP News: Uganda: government renewables strategy makes the jump from words to action

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:07:15 +0100

Uganda: government renewables strategy makes the jump from words to action

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: 2 studies conclude that biofuels are not so green after all

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 07:00:01 +0100

International Herald Tribune: Almost all biofuels used today cause more greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuels if the pollution caused by producing these "green" fuels is taken into account, two studies published Thursday have concluded. The benefits of biofuels have come under increasing attack in recent months as scientists have evaluated the global environmental cost of their production. The new studies, published by the journal Science, are likely to add to the controversy. These ...

EERE Network News: Global Wind Energy Capacity Increases 27% in 2007

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:00:02 +0100

With 5.2 gigawatts of new wind capacity installed in 2007, the United States is currently the largest market for wind power, but Spain and China are now nipping at its heels. The growing worldwide market for wind power increased 27% in 2007, boosting global installed wind capacity to 94 gigawatts.

EERE Network News: Clean Energy Investment Exceeds $117 Billion in 2007

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:00:01 +0100

Worldwide investors provided $54.5 billion in 2007 to build wind farms, biorefineries, solar power plants, and other clean energy facilities, while the total global investment in clean energy grew to $117.2 billion. But to meet current targets, investments will have to triple over the next five years.

Renewable Energy News (renewableenergyaccess.com): A Green Energy Industry Takes Root in California

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 07:00:00 +0100

A Green Energy Industry Takes Root in California

Energy & Enviro Finland News: European Covenant of Mayors launched to address climate protection

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 16:40:37 +0100

During the European Sustainable Energy Week, a groundbreaking initiative - the Covenant of Mayors - for European cities and towns was launched. An ambitious initiative brings together the mayors of Europe's most pioneering cities in a permanent network to exchange and apply good practices across these cities and beyond to improve energy efficiency significantly in the urban environment.

EERE Network News: New International Clean Energy Fund to Battle Climate Change

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:00:03 +0100

President Bush has committed to provide $2 billion over the next three years for a new international clean energy technology fund. The fund will help to deploy clean and efficient energy technologies in developing nations such as India and China.

Environmental Finance Online News: European Commission lays out 2020 GHG targets (from Carbon Finance)

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:42:17 +0100

24 January: The European Commission today agreed on greenhouse gas emissions cuts from sectors not covered by its flagship emissions trading scheme.

Environmental Finance Online News: Europe's biofuels must be 35% cleaner than fossil fuels (from Bioenergy Business)

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:41:40 +0100

24 January: The European Commission said that biofuels in the EU will have to provide a minimum 35% greenhouse gas saving over fossil fuels for them to count towards a new target for biofuels use.

ScienceDaily Headlines: Earth & Climate: Research Project Aims To Make Solar Energy Technology Cheaper

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:00:00 +0100

A new large-scale research project aimed at improving technology for photovoltaic solar energy is underway. The £6.3million PV-21 program will focus on making thin-film light absorbing cells for solar panels from sustainable and affordable materials.

EERE Network News: GM, Toyota, and Fisker to Launch Plug-In Hybrids by 2010

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:00:05 +0100

GM has already announced plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid in the form of the Chevy Volt, but its Saturn division now plans to launch its own plug-in hybrid by as early as 2010. GM will be in a race with Toyota and a small specialty company, Fisker Automotive, to launch the first plug-in hybrid.

Renewable Energy News (renewableenergyaccess.com): Concentrating Solar Power experts to meet in Barcelona

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 07:00:00 +0100

A recent EU report showed that the European Commission has funded €25 million for research into concentrating solar power in recent years, and the potential contribution of CSP "has still to be exploited". Pietro Menna, Directorate General for Energy and Transport, European Commission will address the inaugural CSP Congress in Barcelona, 5-6 February 2006, providing an update on the Commission's policies to promote the development of the CSP market.

Renewable Energy Law Blog: U.S. Renewable Energy Use to Double by 2030

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:06:39 +0100

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its annual long-term U.S. energy forecast yesterday (large pdf). The EIA's new analysis anticipates that renewable energy use will double by 2030. According to the Annual Energy Outlook 2008 Report:

The use of renewable technologies for electricity generation is stimulated by improved technology, higher fossil fuel prices, and extension of the tax credits in EPACT2005. The reference case also includes State RPS programs where the legislation is in place. Total renewable generation in the AEO2008 reference case, including combined heat and power (CHP) and end-use generation, grows by 2.1 percent per year, from 385 billion kilowatthours in 2006 to 631 billion kilowatthours in 2030. The projection for renewable generation in the AEO2008 reference case, which includes State and regional programs, is significantly higher than the comparable AEO2007 projection.

Reuters has a report on the new forecast. A summary of the AEO2008 report is available on the EIA's website.

Renewable Energy News (renewableenergyaccess.com): France Sets Ambitious Renewable Energy Targets

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 07:00:00 +0100

Wind and solar power are at the heart of a big new push by the French government to increase the renewable share of the country's total energy consumption from 6.7 percent in 2004 to 20 percent by 2020.

EERE Network News: Regulations to Increase Energy Efficiency in New Federal Buildings by 30%

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:00:00 +0100

DOE established new regulations on December 21st that required all new federal buildings to achieve at least 30% greater energy efficiency than that of the currently prevailing building codes. These new changes could save more than 40 trillion Btu over the next ten years.

EERE Network News: Negotiators in Bali Agree to Work Toward New Climate Agreement

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:05:00 +0100

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia, resulted in a new "Bali Roadmap" that provides a framework for negotiations leading up to a new international climate change agreement. The conference also led to new agreements relating to clean energy technologies.

ScienceDaily Headlines: Earth & Climate: New Study Increases Concerns About Climate Model Reliability

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 02:00:00 +0100

A new study comparing the composite output of 22 leading global climate models with actual climate data finds that the models do an unsatisfactory job of mimicking climate change in key portions of the atmosphere. This research raises new concerns about the reliability of models used to forecast global warming.

Environmental Finance Online News: Bali talks go to the brink

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:20:06 +0100

Bali, 13 December: The UN climate talks in Bali are heading for a typical 11th hour showdown, as the EU and US square off over the inclusion of emissions targets in a roadmap for the next round of climate negotiations.

Renewable Energy News (renewableenergyaccess.com): Is Marine Renewable Energy Ready for Prime Time?

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 07:00:00 +0100

In the past few months, there's been some news of problems experienced by wave or tidal developers, such as broken turbines or even a sunken wave buoy. Does that mean that marine renewable energy isn't ready for prime time? --Jim S., Nantucket, MA

Renewable Energy Law Blog: Google's New Goal: Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:30:35 +0100

The Washington Post reports on Google's new renewable energy R&D efforts:

Google Inc (GOOG.O) said on Tuesday it plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to help drive down the cost of electricity made from renewable energy below the price of coal.

The project, dubbed Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal, is hiring dozens of engineers and targeting investment financing at advanced solar thermal power, wind power, enhanced geothermal systems and other new technologies, Google said.

The Web services and online advertising group will be a big customer for the project, running computers and networks on the electricity and selling back what's left to the power grid.

"Our goal is to produce one gigawatt of renewable energy capacity that is cheaper than coal. We are optimistic this can be done in years, not decades," Larry Page, Google's co-founder and president of products, said in a statement.

The Wall Street Journal has more on Google's renewable electricity initiative:

The company is primarily looking at solar, geothermal and wind technologies that show potential for making electricity so cheaply they can displace fossil-fuel plants. "We're optimistic we can do this in years, not decades," Mr. Page said, adding that even though lots of venture capital is flowing to renewable-energy start-ups and the government funds research through its national energy labs, "we don't see a lot of investment in very aggressive, low-cost things" that could reshape the coal-heavy generation mix and reduce power-industry emissions.

One firm Google already is supporting is Makani Power, a company based in Alameda, Calif., working on high-altitude, wind-power systems. Mr. Page said he believes most of Google's investments will be in technologies capable of producing grid-scale quantities of electricity that would use existing infrastructure like the high-voltage transmission system.

AllAfrica News: Climate: Uganda: Climate Change - Leaders Must Act Now

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:30:20 +0100

It does not look good for Bali. The international summit, starting next week, to find a more ambitious successor to the Kyoto Protocol is unlikely to come up with new emission targets.

ScienceDaily Headlines: Earth & Climate: Achieving Low-carbon Growth For The World

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:00:00 +0100

Targets and trading must be at the heart of a global agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to Sir Nicholas Stern delivering the Royal Economic Society's annual public lecture at The University of Manchester ahead of the world summit on climate change in Bali.

EERE Network News: Company Feeds Natural Gas Pipeline with Biogas from Manure

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 08:00:01 +0100

A facility in Texas is now converting manure into a methane-rich biogas that is being fed into a commercial natural gas pipeline. Meanwhile, a waste company is stepping up its efforts to produce energy from landfills, and a landfill gas company is making good use of its own product.

Renewable Energy News (renewableenergyaccess.com): Canadian Government Invests in Nation's Largest Wind Energy Project

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 07:00:00 +0100

Tony Clement, Canadian Minister of the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, announced more than CAN$53 million ($53.7 million USD) in federal funding for the Prince Wind Energy Farm.

Renewable Energy News (renewableenergyaccess.com): East African Agricultural Industries to Use Hydropower and Bioenergy

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 07:00:00 +0100

Two new renewable energy initiatives have been launched in the eastern and southern African agricultural sector. The tea and sugar industries will be the recipients of renewable energy technologies resulting in more than 70 megawatts (MW) of decentralized sustainable energy for the region.

AllAfrica News: Energy: Zimbabwe: Biodiesel, Ethanol - Fuels of Tomorrow

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:57:50 +0100

Zimbabwe today sees its first biodiesel plant, an operation that can turn just about any free-flowing vegetable oil into fuel for diesel engines. Work continues, at the other end of the country, on recommissioning an ethanol plant that turns sugarcane into a fuel for petrol engines.

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: China set to exceed renewables target

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 07:00:01 +0100

Independent (UK): Headlines in China tend to focus on how the country's roaring economy is being fuelled by a lethal cocktail of coal, oil and nuclear power. Chinese power plants emit the second-highest total amount of carbon dioxide (2.4 billion tonnes) into the atmosphere each year. But China also has a fast-growing renewable energy sector and the country is likely to achieve – and may even exceed – its target to obtain 15 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2020, according to a report ...

Environmental Finance Online News: China set to beat renewables target - Worldwatch

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:10:09 +0100

China is on course to meet or exceed its target of sourcing 15% of its energy from renewables by 2020, according to research from the Worldwatch Institute.

Environmental Finance Online News: E.ON to spend another €3bn on renewables

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:09:25 +0100

E.ON is to double its investment in renewable power to €6 billion ($8.8 billion) by 2010.

EERE Network News: Report Finds Major Economic Benefits to Efficiency, Renewables

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:00:05 +0100

A new report from the American Solar Energy Society finds that the U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency industries created 8.5 million jobs in 2006, while generating more than a trillion dollars in sales. The report includes a case study that zeroes in on Ohio.

AllAfrica News: Energy: Ethiopia: Promoting Bio-Fuel

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:03:25 +0100

The escalating price of crude oil in the international market has prompted the Ethiopian government to consider the utilization of biofuel.

EERE Network News: DOE Announces $44 Million to Provide Net-Zero-Energy Homes

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 21:00:00 +0200

DOE announced on October 19th that it would invest more than $44 million in four Building America teams over the next five years. This money will be used to fund the development of net-zero-energy homes. $4.1 million will also be invested in two regional building technology application centers.

AllAfrica News: Energy: Nigeria: KNSG Gets FG Approval to Build Hydro Power Plant

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 09:04:58 +0200

The federal government has approved the utilization of the Challawan Goje and Tiga Dams for construction of a hydro power station in Kano State, Governor Ibrahim Shekarau announced.

AllAfrica News: Climate: Angola: UN Presents Monday Strategy On Climate Changes

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 08:32:11 +0200

Angola will present Monday, in New York, its national strategy for the implementation of the UN Framework Convention and the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, at this Monday's special UN session on this issue, ANGOP has learnt.

Climate Ark Climate Change & Global Warming Newsfeed: Clinton: Saving planet 'economically smart'