Some might say that this year the cuts in greenhouse gases emissions are due to the recession. It might be the case, but here the news nonetheless: the European Union decreased its emissions for the fourth year in a row in 2008. But there is more to it : the European Union and its 27 …
To a new study presented by a US non-governmental organization, the European cap and trade system – called Emission Trading System or ETS – seems to finally work after a much difficult start. To TreeHugger: The trading system has created a healthy carbon market now worth 56 billion US dollars, and (…) has been responsible …
Last week Jean-Louis Borloo, the French energy and environment Minister, launched a plan that will quadruple the amount of electricity provided by solar photovoltaïc in order to reach 300 MW by 2011. This is great news as investing 1.5 billion euros ($2 billion) in solar PV is the right move for France to enable local …
I have been an advocate of energy efficiency for years and believe it is the best solution to solve the energy and climate equation. So when the European Union plans to ban importing energy inefficient goods I can only applaud the initiative. This is done to enable the 27 countries and their 500 million inhabitants …
According to the European Environment Agency the generation of electricity and heat in the 27 country members account for 80 percent of of European Union’s greenhouse gases emissions. This occurs as the sector progressively steps back from both coal and oil to embrace natural gas and renewable energy sources. It also increased its efficiency. But …
On December 11th, the leaders of the European Union will meet to decide its climate change policy for the next twelve years. This is a most important occasion to call for leadership. Since they plan to cut our greenhouse gases emissions by only 20 percent when at least 30 percent is needed, we the people …
After Germany, it seems that the whole European Union is willing to steps back on its support to biofuels as they are one of the main reason for the recent riots of hunger. First generation biofuels’ use are competing directly with the traditional consumption of cereals: food. Even worse, some studies have shown that they …
Germany is often quoted as the definite example in climate change mitigation. However, as with all black and white fallacies, it is not really the case and the situation is not that simple. Indeed, even if our neighboring country gets far more energy from renewables than we are, it relies much too heavily on coal, …
While browsing my favorite environmental websites, I discovered a gem : the official blog of the EU Energy Commissioner, Mr. Andris Piebalgs. There I read an impressive article on the multiple benefits an increase of 20 percent of energy efficiency would bring to the EU and its 27 state members. This is perhaps the best …
According to the International Herald Tribune, the European Union is willing to involve the most polluting countries in the mitigation of climate change. To do this, it might implement commercial sanctions to non signatory countries of international agreements. Among these countries are the United States and China. This might be a serious drive for these …
