News

Abu Dhabi, 28 January 2009 – IRENA, the International Renewable Energy Agency, a new global organisation set up to promote the development and use of renewable energy sources has been officially launched. The organisation aims to achieve what the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have been doing for other forms…

Geneva, 19 January 2009 – A new design standard issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) tackles energy efficiency in buildings. The introduction of the standards in the design stages of buildings aims to contribute in the promotion of a holistic approach to design that encompasses short-term as well as long-term energy requirements and performance…

Brussels, 18 December 2008 – The European Parliament approved the climate and energy legislative package on December 17th, a week after EU leaders met and concluded their negotiations on the deal.  The overall reaction was positive on the achievement, although some critical views were still present. Criticisms focused on what many viewed as a weakening of the…

London, 24 November 2008 – The world’s first legally binding targets for the reduction of GHG emissions have been adopted by UK’s Parliament in the form of a draft law. The law is expected to also receive the formal consent from the British Monarch sometime this week. The law, which includes limits in terms of the…

Brussels, 27 October 2008 – On October 27, 12 European leading research institutes have signed a declaration of intent to found the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA). The key objective of the initiative is to strengthen, expand and optimise EU energy research capabilities through the sharing of world-class national facilities in Europe and the joint…

Brussels, 27 October 2008 – Greening public procurement is one of the most powerful means to create a strong market demand for eco-innovative goods and services. Much has been said, and little has been done so far. But since the Commission proposed ambitious targets for green public procurement as part of a broader action plan for…

Brussels, 8 August 2008 – The action plan presented by the Commission sets out a series of voluntary and obligatory actions to support a coherent and dynamic policy in the EU and internationally, helping to define eco-friendly products, informing the consumer through improved labelling and supporting their purchase through public procurement and fiscal incentives. More specifically, the…

Brussels, 10 June 2008 – The concluding remarks of EU Green Week 2008 began with a reference to the theme of the week: there is only one earth. This reality fueled and shaped the discussions that took place during the various sessions. The overarching conclusions that environmental policies have had a positive effect on Europe, as…

Brussels, 30 April 2008 – For the commission, public procurers can drive innovation from the demand side by acting as technologically demanding first buyers. Not only this could improve the quality and effectiveness of public services, but this could also help create opportunities for European companies to take international leadership in new markets. The public sector…

Brussels, 15 April 2008 –  Following its spring 2007 Communication on knowledge transfer, the Commission adopted, on 10 April 2008, a specific, non-binding Recommendation on intellectual property and knowledge transfer management. The aim is to make EU national systems more coherent and boost transnational academia-industry cooperation to turn more research into lucrative business results. For…

Brussels, 12 March 2008 – “Europe’s outstanding research results in the renewable energy sector need to be exploited more systematically and at a greater success rate” says Katharina Krell, Secretary General of the European Association of Renewable Energy Research Centres EUREC Agency and co-founder of Greenovate! Europe. As co-ordinator of the FP6 support action ProRETT looking into the commercial…

Brussels, 14 February 2008 – The wheels of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) were set in motion this week when Jan Figel, the European Commissioner for Education and Culture, announced the composition of the committee tasked with recommending members for the EIT Governing Board.  Speaking to the European Parliament and the Council…