New international standard for assessing environmental impact of buildings
Written by Lenny AntonelliAccording to Building.co.uk, the three leading international tools for assessing the environmental impact of buildings will soon be combined to create a common international standard.
Awards for sustainable projects in Northern Ireland
Written by Lenny AntonelliThe best examples of sustainable planning and building in Northern Ireland were honoured in a joint awards ceremony held last month by the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The RTPI described the winning projects as follows:
More bad news on climate change is expected as more than 2,000 climate scientists gather in Copenhagen. They will be trying to pull together the latest research on global warming ahead of political negotiations later in the year.
ESB to purchase electricity from domestic wind turbines
Written by Jeff Colley
The Commissioner for Energy Regulation has announced that the ESB is to buy electricity from so-called “micro generators” - householders who have their own wind generators or other renewable electricity systems. The price has been set at 9c per unit.
Carbon footprint of Victorian house slashed
Written by Lenny AntonelliBritish government announces energy upgrade plans
Written by Lenny AntonelliFollowing the annoucement that the government is commiting 100 million euro this year to domestic energy refurb, the UK's climate change secretary Ed Miliband has announced that all British households will be retrofitted by 2030.
There has been a significant and sustained increase in the number of Building Energy Rating (BER) assessments being completed and published since January 1, when it became mandatory by law for all dwellings offered for sale or lease, both new and existing, to have a BER certificate.
Making homes energy efficient could create 7,000 jobs
Written by News Desk
MEETING MODERN energy-efficiency standards in Irish homes could generate €600 million a year and create 7,000 sustainable jobs, according to new research from DKM Economic Consultants.
Call for contractors to register urgently
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan and Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley have launched a national energy saving programme designed to stimulate economic recovery.
Wind power becomes Europe's fastest growing energy source
Written by News Desk
More wind power was installed in the EU than any other electricity-generating technology in 2008, according to data released yesterday.
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Market opportunity to improve housing stock energy efficiency
Written by Jeff Colley
Given the decline in new build construction and the increasing demand for greater energy efficiency in existing homes, there is a major opportunity to bring about significant improvements in the energy performance of the existing Irish housing stock, according to Professor Owen Lewis, Chief Executive, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI).
According to Treehugger, Professor Colin Humphries' team at Cambridge University has developed a new LED bulb that can last up to 60 years. Treehugger says:
Humphries claims within five years, the new bulbs will be available, cheap, mercury free, dimmable and
The Government has published a €4.5bn plan for sustainable transport to 2020. The Smarter Travel plan sets out Irelands travel policy for Ireland from now until 2020.
55,000 construction jobs to be lost by 2011, says CIF
Written by Jeff Colley
The
Construction Industry Federation has predicted that up to 55,000 jobs
could be lost in the sector by the end of next year unless action is
taken by the Government.