Green economy and trade: Trends, challenges and opportunities

Posted on: 15 May 2013
By: mackene
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A new report from the UN Environment Programme argues that developing countries with abundant renewable resources are well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities provided by “green” products to increase their share in international markets for sustainable goods and services. The report analyses six economic sectors – agriculture, fisheries, forests, manufacturing, renewable energy and tourism – where trade opportunities exist, and identifies measures, such as policy reforms and certification, that can help developing countries benefit from these markets. These chapters can be downloaded individually.

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Designing homes for the 21st Century: lessons for low energy design

Posted on: 8 May 2013
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A fundamental review of housing design is needed if the UK is to produce successful low carbon homes of the future, according to a new guide by the NHBC Foundation. The guide explores the challenges of designing zero carbon homes and helps identify the processes needed to achieve cost effective and practical design. It finds that current design and procurement practices need to change if these are to be addressed. Registration is required to view the document.

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Bioenergy Dialogue Toolkit

Posted on: 8 May 2013
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The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has launched a new toolkit to encourage researchers and the general public to engage in a national conversation about bioenergy. The Bioenergy Dialogue Toolkit provides a range of resources and guidelines to help people plan and run dialogue events this summer.

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Passivhaus development

Posted on: 2 May 2013
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A planning application has been lodged for what its designers claim would be one of the largest-scale UK examples yet of a housing development embodying the low-energy Passivhaus housing construction technique. Archihaus has applied to build 150 homes using the Passivhaus approach in the village of Kingstone near Hereford and the Welsh border.

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UK Energy Research Centre

Posted on: 1 May 2013
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The UK Energy Research Centre has created four tools to assist policy makers and researchers to review the current status of UK Energy Research and Development, and identify the key research challenges.

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Financial support for energy efficiency in buildings

Posted on: 26 April 2013
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This report, and the Staff Working Document , presents the results of an analysis and draws conclusions as to how EU-level funding, funds from the European Investment Bank and other public finance institutions together with national support programmes could be better employed for increasing energy efficiency in buildings in the future.

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Retrofitting our way out of recession

Posted on: 24 April 2013
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The URBACT “Building Energy Efficiency in European Cities” workstream has been set up to examine the role of city public authorities for energy efficient urban communities through retrofitting in the building sector. This article, written by Paul Ciniglio, Sustainability Strategist and Antonio Borghi, Lead Expert of the URBACT Project presents the first findings of their work.

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Water, food, energy securities and climate change. Geneva, 9-11 April 2013

Posted on: 24 April 2013
By: mackene
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The main objectives of the Second International Conference on Water Resources and Environmental Management were to: present the main challenges and opportunities for water, food, energy security and climate change sectors, adopting proper technologies and green economy as a tool of solution; share experience and knowledge on water, food, energy security and climate change management; get feedback on the impact of climate change on water and food resources from officials, experts and other important international stakeholders to know how to adopt new strategies to protect ourselves and our environment; bring experts on water, food, climate and energy security from around the world to one common platform for information sharing and networking; drive the search for solutions to global water, food, climate and energy issues. Presentations are available online.

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Base Birmingham. Birmingham, 11 April 2013

Posted on: 24 April 2013
By: mackene
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Base organises city-focused events that address and accelerate the potential of green and smart city initiatives to drive economic growth and development. Events focus on the built environment and infrastructure, covering areas such as energy generation and distribution, transport, improving the energy efficiency of homes and offices, waste as a resource and water. Birmingham has big ambitions to use the low-carbon agenda to reassert its position as one of the UK’s most dynamic and future looking cities. This event explores how. Presentations are available online.

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Delivering buildings that are truly fit for purpose. Liverpool, 11-12 April 2013

Posted on: 24 April 2013
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This technical symposium, organised by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, aimed to highlight the latest practice and research and provide a glimpse of future developments across the world with regard to reducing the energy dependence of buildings whilst maintaining lifelong performance. Papers and presentations are available online.

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