There are two important reports just out on energy efficiency. One is from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the other is from American Physical Society. There is also a major building energy conservation program getting underway in the UK. (I have written about the critical subject of energy efficiency here, here and here since February.)
The JRC provides "scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies." According to this article from ENDS Europe Daily, via the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's (WBCSD) newsfeed, the EU's residential buildings could produce a 7% reduction in GHG for the EU as a whole if a series of energy conservation measures were taken. "Up to 95 per cent of the projected cuts could be achieved at no cost or could even generate a profit, it says." This theme of achieving massive energy savings with little cost or even at a net financial benefit recurs throughout all the studies and reports on efficiency , and in practice. You can access the JRC's report, "Environmental Improvement Potential of Residential Buildings," here.
The American Physical Society, "the leading professional organization of physicists, representing more than 46,000 physicists in academia and industry in the United States and internationally," launched its report, Energy Future: Think Efficiency, at a press conference in Washington yesterday. The APS report is comprehensive , it looks at buildings and transportation. From the press release: "The report concludes that the average light-duty vehicle should have a mileage of at least 50 miles per gallon by 2030 and that widespread construction of homes that require no fossil fuels should be possible in most areas by 2020." (I have also written about the myriad benefits of green building a good number of times here. It is, in a word, the future.)
Folks, this report is from physicists. These are not pie-in-the-sky hippie tree-huggin' earth lovers (like me). The APS represents serious, sober-minded hard scientists who don't take anything as a given. And they are telling us that we can do things differently, smarter, and much more cost effectively. They are saying that the technology is here and now. All that is required is political will and focus. "The American people need leadership from the Congress and the next president on this issue," said Nobel Laureate Burton Richter, chair of the study panel and director emeritus of the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. There is a wonderful body of information in this report and at their website.
Meanwhile, back across the pond, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, last week announced a massive private and public investment in energy conservation. PM makes £1 billion energy pledge is how the 10 Downing Street website describes it. Much of the program will be a low-tech but incredibly profitable pursuit of " subsidised improvements such as loft and cavity wall insulation." There will be money, as well, to help lower-income households with energy payments. The BBC has this take on the program. "The government says its aim is to insulate every home in Britain by 2020 – and energy companies, councils and voluntary organisations will be making door-to-door visits in deprived areas to promote the scheme." Good on ya, Gordon. It's the right thing to do.
