How better buildings can help von der Leyen maintain her green legacy
The EU president must implement plans to boost energy efficiency in the sector, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and exposure to geopolitical shocks
Energy Efficiency
See all
EU’s new energy efficiency rules could be gamechanger for education
Renewed ambition represents an awareness of the key role energy efficiency plays in hitting carbon targets
Despite solar surge, world off track for COP28 renewable energy target
Current plans will only deliver half of the growth needed to hit a global target of tripling renewables by 2030, IRENA warns
Turn down the heating: France unveils ‘ambitious’ energy saving plan
French people and businesses are encouraged to take shorter showers, turn down thermostats and car pool but none of the measures are binding
Why ‘energy productivity’ is making a comeback
ANALYSIS: It presents a positive message and appeals to business, but technological progress is no substitute for climate regulations
Low carbon experts mull iconic buildings for green makeovers
ANALYSIS: Notre Dame or a Durban township? Sustainability advocates are divided on the best way to push the energy efficiency message
EU energy union fails to tackle falling industrial efficiency
ANALYSIS: European leaders seem unaware that energy intensity in the steel, cement and chemicals industries has stalled or increased
EU efficiency push could counter Russian energy dominance
NEWS: A 35% energy efficiency target for 2030 would wipe out reliance on Russian gas, says UK think-tank IPPR
NATO recycles old commitments on climate change
NEWS: The NATO summit concluded with recognition of climate as a security threat, and committed to a more energy efficient military
Europe proposes 30% energy savings target for 2030
NEWS: European Commission targets 30% energy savings by 2030 after last-minute wrangling
Juncker supports 30% energy efficiency target for EU
NEWS: Newly elected European Commission chief support for binding efficiency target praised by green groups
Energy efficiency targets: what are they good for?
COMMENT: As European officials consider an energy efficiency target for 2030, two experts look at why and how it could be useful
Brussels divided on 2030 energy saving target
NEWS: The Ukraine crisis has triggered a focus on energy efficiency but divisions remain over the level of ambition
Smart meters are poor value, find 10 EU countries
NEWS: Nearly half EU countries will miss 2020 target to install digital electricity meters
Russia failing to reap benefit of oil and gas – IEA
NEWS: Russia risks falling oil production without foreign investors, more efficiency
Just three EU countries on track to meet energy savings target – report
NEWS: Denmark, Ireland and Croatia praised for efficiency measures, but others falling short
Efficiency measures pay off as UK energy use falls
ANALYSIS: New data show UK energy consumption has fallen, while US rises, showing benefits of efficiency schemes
LED costs to halve as efficiency doubles by 2020 – US Dept of Energy
Cheaper, more efficient lighting could help countries meet greenhouse gas reduction targets
Analysis: efficiency can be at the heart of EU energy policy
High energy prices, flagging economy and Ukraine crisis should prompt European leaders to push for more effective efficiency targets
Energy efficiency: the gift that keeps on giving
Taking care of the amount of energy you use makes economic and environmental sense, says the Carbon Trust’s Jeff Beyer
Coal blow as major European bank cuts funding
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to limit funding of coal projects and boost investment in renewables and energy efficiency
UK insulation rollback could leave thousands to die in cold homes
As excess winter deaths increase, frustration rises at threatened government rollback of energy efficiency policies
IEA: energy efficiency is world’s ‘hidden fuel’
Global energy efficiency investments hit the $300 billion mark in 2011, on par with renewables and fossil fuels
Halving global CO2 emissions will cost less than 1% of GDP – report
Cutting emissions to safe levels is both technologically and economically feasible, say scientists