Spanish energy saving measures

The Spanish government stimulates consumers to replace appliances with newer, more efficient models by refunding at least € 50 per appliance. This is part of a € 280m package of energy-saving and efficiency measures. The package also includes measures such as promoting collective transport, reducing consumption in street and interior lighting and improving energy efficiency in industrial sectors.

Sales of renewables will quadruple

In only a decade the global annual sales of renewables such as wind, solar and biofuels could more than quadruple to nearly $170 billion if oil prices remain high and technology costs fall. These are results of a study of Californian research and publishing firm Clean Edge. Green energy is the fastest growing energy sector. The biggest green energy sector is biofuels.

‘Nuclear power no replacement for fossil fuels UK’

Nuclear power is not the answer to minimize climate change or to secure the energy supply of the United Kingdom, according to the Sustainable Development Commission of the UK government. The report of the SDC says that doubling nuclear capacity would make only a small impact on reducing carbon emissions by 2035. The UK government is currently reviewing the UK’s energy needs and regards nuclear capacity as an alternative for fossil fuels. The SDC report concludes that risks of nuclear energy outweigh its advantages.

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New database renewable energy launched

REN21 and REEEP launched their ‘database of databases’: a new website on renewable energy and energy efficiency. www.reegle.info aims to ensure a better information flow and to facilitate the understanding of what is going on in the two sectors renewable energy and energy efficiency. The website provides up-to-date information and is an entry point to relevant data sources and other key providers of relevant information. The following areas related to renewable energy and energy efficiency are covered: jurisdiction and laws, policies and measures; finance and investment opportunities; latest news, reports and analyses; and actors and experts.

Greenhouse gas concentrations reached record in 2004

Globally average concentrations of CO2, methane and N2O reached their highest ever recorded levels in 2004. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) published this in its first annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin. The levels of CO2 continue to increase steadily and show no signs of leveling off. In contrast, the levels of methane have shown signs of reaching a plateau. Read more here