Archive for March, 2009
EU Parliament committee shows lack of urgency on energy saving
0 Comments Published March 31st, 2009 in Climate Change
Brussels, Belgium - The European Parliament industry committee today voted on a directive that should promote energy savings in buildings, by improving energy performance in existing buildings and setting more stringent standards for new constructions.
While broadly welcoming the approach, WWF criticizes the delay of the entry into force of new buildings’ standards - to the end of 2018 instead of 2015.
“The lack of urgency shown by the Parliament committee is extremely disappointing,” said Arianna Vitali Roscini, WWF’s Policy Officer for energy conservation in buildings.
“European politicians have failed again to acknowledge massive economic and environmental potential offered by energy efficiency and new buildings will continue to waste energy for at least another ten years.”
The directive on energy efficiency in buildings alone could potentially deliver almost twice of the CO2 emissions reductions of the Effort Sharing Directive by 2020. Buildings absorb 40% of all the energy used in Europe and cause 36% of European greenhouse gases. A strong directive could lead to a cut of 460 million tonnes of CO2 per year thanks to better insulation, improved heating and cooling systems, double glazing, efficient lighting and use of smart meters.
The European Economic Recovery Plan also recognises that smart investments in energy efficiency, and specifically in energy efficiency in buildings, will result in jobs creation.
“It is essential that new measures are put in place as soon as possible to maximize the energy efficiency potential to achieve EU’s 2020 climate targets, promote job creation, reduce the energy bill and improve energy security in Europe. ” adds Arianna Vitali.
In 2008 the European Commission presented a proposal to revise the existing directive to minimise the use of energy in buildings. After today’s vote in the EU Parliament industry committee, the bill will be examined by the Parliament in May, in its last plenary session before elections, and by the Council of Ministers.
For further information:
Arianna Vitali Roscini, WWF’s Policy Officer for energy conservation in buildings
WWF European Policy Office
Tel: +32 2 743 88 16
E-mail: avitali@wwfepo.org
Though the term “herd behaviour” today is most often used when talking about financial markets, it originally described individuals in a group acting together without direction – for example an animal herd fleeing from a predator. When seen from …
“We’re Not In Kansas Anymore”: Transported by a Tornado
0 Comments Published March 31st, 2009 in UncategorizedFordland, Missouri. March 12, 2006. Night. The wind outside the trailer grew louder and louder, like the sound of fighter jets closing in. Next thing, the locked front and back doors of the mobile home were blown off their hinges. Everything was wobbli…
The Hypersonic Dream Series: Europe Sends Out Supersonic Shockwaves
0 Comments Published March 31st, 2009 in UncategorizedThe Russian Tu-144 was the first production Supersonic Transport (SST) Aircraft, closely followed by the famous British-French Concorde. Both aircraft represented highly successful engineering; both have truly fascinating histories; both were blighted …
2010 Games officials eye global warming costs
0 Comments Published March 31st, 2009 in UncategorizedOrganizers of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games said on Monday they are confident they can find sponsors to help with the estimated C$4.5 million ($3.6 million) cost of keeping the event from adding to global warming.
92,000 Acres Sold in Adirondacks, With Protection Pledge
0 Comments Published March 31st, 2009 in UncategorizedThe Nature Conservancy has sold 92,000 acres of forest in the Adirondacks to a Danish pension fund as part of a long-term strategy to protect the land from development.
Sustainable Fishing Lands $5M in Funding from Green Group
0 Comments Published March 31st, 2009 in UncategorizedAt Google’s headquarters this afternoon, the Environmental Defense Fund unveiled a first-of-its-kind revolving loan program aimed at rebuilding California’s fishing industry in an environmentally friendly manner.
Airlines to fly less, and pollute less, in downturn
0 Comments Published March 31st, 2009 in UncategorizedAirlines will reduce their carbon emissions by nearly 8 percent this year as they slash the number of flights they operate in line with a drop in both cargo and passenger demand, executives said on Tuesday.
Amidst the turmoil in Sudan, add the possibility of drought.
The Sahel, the semi-arid region between the Sahara Desert and southern grasslands, has received above-average rainfall in recent years. But precipitation trends suggest that a period of drought is in the near future, which aid workers warn could spell trouble for ongoing peace efforts in Darfur.
“This is three years they’ve been above the statistical average [for rainfall],” said Andrew Morton, manager of the United Nations Environment Programme’s conflicts and disasters program. “If you believe in statistics, there is no evidence it will continue.”
U.S. seeks emissions-control zone around ports
0 Comments Published March 31st, 2009 in UncategorizedThe United States has applied to the International Maritime Organization to create a 230-mile emissions control zone around the nation’s coastline, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson said Monday.







