Buildings could become energy producers

October 2016

Unleashing a fourth industrial revolution in Europe is the bold aim of a new report on how to make the continent’s buildings carbon-neutral energy producers.

A renovation programme to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings in Europe could create a million jobs, provide warmer homes, more comfortable factories and offices, reduce fuel bills across 28 countries, and cut imports of Russian gas, researchers say.

This is because buildings are currently the biggest single emitter of GHGs in Europe. Many have inefficient heating and cooling, combined with poor insulation.

But with existing technology and political will, they could be transformed into energy producers and become carbon-neutral, says a report produced by OpenEXP, an international group of experts helping policymakers to reach sustainable development goals.

Paris changes everything

The Paris Agreement constitutes a global turning point away from fossil fuels and toward 100% renewable energy.

Editorial: No viable future for coal anywhere

The UN climate conference in Paris last December decided to limit the temperature increase to well below 2°C/1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Paths to a sustainable agricultural system

An integrated food and agricultural policy and changes in consumption patterns are holistic approaches needed to tackle emissions from agriculture.

Targets aren’t enough, but gap can be closed

Europe’s solar and wind initiatives, if both implemented, could increase Europe’s climate target of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 to 60%.

Coal kills across borders

Every coal-fired power station switched off will bring great benefits that reach beyond national borders, for both human health and the climate.

Europe’s biggest polluters

Polish lignite plant Belchatow and British coal plant Drax dominate Europe’s most polluting point sources in 2014.

A phase-out plan for coal in Europe

Very old and high-emitting plants are easy to replace with renewables and improvements in energy efficiency.

Lignite power developments in Europe

Several European countries are investing in lignite mining, despite the fact that the industry faces declining profit margins in competition with low-carbon energy production.

New watered-down EU air pollution targets

Compared to the Commission’s proposal, the relaxed targets finally agreed by member states and parliament will result in thousands of additional cases of premature death.

10 countries still breach EU’s air pollution limits

Nitrogen oxides from transport and ammonia from agriculture are still being emitted above the legal limits of the NEC directive.

Many ways to cut ship NOx emissions

Establishing NOx Emission Control Areas would significantly reduce ship NOx emissions by 2040 – introducing economic instruments could cut emissions faster and further.

OECD warns of rising costs of air pollution

Outdoor air pollution could cause up to nine million premature deaths a year by 2060 and cost US$ 3.3 trillion annually as a result of sick days, healthcare expenditure and reduced agricultural output, unless action is taken.

Costs for solar and wind could fall 59% by 2025

IRENA launched a new report revealing that the dramatic cost reductions we’ve seen in recent years for solar and wind electricity will continue well into the future. It finds that by 2025 ..

Buildings could become energy producers

Unleashing a fourth industrial revolution in Europe is the bold aim of a new report on how to make the continent’s buildings carbon-neutral energy producers.

US regulates for more fuel-efficient trucks

In August, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the second phase of greenhouse gas standards for the trucking sector, which are expected to lower CO2 emissions by approximately 1.1 billion metric tons ..

Health costs of PM

A recent scientific study has made new estimates of the marginal social cost per tonne of air pollutant emitted, focussing on the health damage caused by excessive levels of PM2.5 in the air.

UNEP: Actions on air quality

A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) lists ten basic measures to improve air quality. It shows that the majority of countries worldwide are still ..

IEA: Strategies for cleaner air

The International Energy Agency (IEA) in June released a report that highlights the links between energy, air pollution and health, and identifies contributions the energy sector can make to curb poor air quality.

Cruising causes pollution in Europe

An environmental ranking of European cruise ships concludes that none of these can currently be recommended. German green group NABU ..

Cruising cause pollution in North America

In June, Friends of the Earth US released its new Cruise Ship Report Card, documenting the environmental footprint of the cruise industry and grading 17 cruise lines and their 171 ships.

Ships pollute in East Asia

A Chinese-led study has estimated that sulphur dioxide emissions from ships caused an estimated 24 000 premature deaths a year in East Asia, mainly from heart and lung diseases and cancer.

LNG as marine fuel

A recent information paper from the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) discusses the role of LNG (liquefied natural gas) as an alternative fuel for shipping.

Air Convention: More measures needed

Despite recent improvements in air quality in Europe and North America, air pollution is still the primary environmental cause of premature death and ecosystem biodiversity is threatened by nitrogen deposition ..