Cancun 29/11 - 10/12

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20101116/tsc-environment-us-climate-cancun-011ccfa.html

"Countries have realized since Copenhagen that there is no one big solution," Christiana Figueres, head of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat, said of the U.N.-led talks in Mexico's Caribbean beach resort of Cancun from November 29 until December 10. "We need to take the process one step forward," she said.
"Everything tells me that there is a deal to be done," she said of negotiations to slow a creeping rise in global temperatures that the U.N. panel of climate scientists says will bring ever more floods, droughts, heat waves and rising sea levels." But even a limited deal at Cancun -- where only environment ministers will meet rather than world leaders who went to Copenhagen -- is a tall order after a year of bickering between China and the United States, the top greenhouse gas emitters.
Each says the other should do more, taking the focus off other nations' inaction at a time when budgets in developed nations are tight and opinion polls show many people are far more worried by high unemployment."China and the United States being stuck in a deadlock is a very comfortable mode of failure for everyone involved," said Shane Tomlinson, director of development at the E3G climate think-tank in London."

Looks like its going to be a very interesting December with that meeting coming up. There has to be a global decision on how to best save energy and make a difference to climate change. There are alot of tools available now - wind farms, solar power etc and if everyone can work together and ignore their egos during the meeting then hopefully the entire world will benefit.

Game time

I have just found out that a new game is coming and for once its actually one that I want (I normally steer well clear of computer games).

The game is called "Fate of the World" and allows you  to protect the world's climate and resources while managing a growing population demanding more power, food and living space, you basically run the World for 200 years and its fate is in your hands - you can either save it or destroy it.

"Gamers see the impact of their decisions: orangutans are saved from extinction, global temperatures drop by a degree; however, bad moves could see Europe battered by floods, or Africa ravaged by war.
"Even if they choose to destroy the world, they still learn more about the subject," said Rowlands, the 35-year-old head of video games developer Red Redemption, which employs 15 people at its base in Oxford, southern England. The game was based on scientific, economic and demographic data from sources such as NASA, the United Nations and Oxford University. "Fate of the World" was developed in partnership with academics working under Oxford University climate change expert Doctor Myles Allen.
The game "allows people to experience the decisions we are likely to confront and makes clear there are no easy answers", Allen said."

I am going to have a little go on the already released taster version very soon and will let you know what I think. It is a good way of introducing climate change, the global community and showing how every small thing can affect the world in a fun, light way for people - anything that promotes the problem and how we all need to work together has got to be a good thing.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20101115/tsc-save-the-world-from-climate-change-b-c6db719.html

Why

Why am I writing this?

Why should you read this?

Because I am a normal person who has an average life with a family. I am not a scientist. I am not a politician. I am not doing this to achieve world domination.

Because I want to see change.

Because I am trying to learn about what the entire global community are doing to lower emmissions and be more energy efficient.

I have strong beliefs, but I am open to change, I am prepared to learn new things and shape my views accordingly.

Because there are millions of people just like me across the world - no PHD, no £100,000 per annum job, not involved in politics, who just want to see what is happening across the world and make their own minds up and if I can help by finding out some information (apologies for my comments on the info) then that is a good enough reason for me to write this and for you to read it.

Things that make you go mmmm?

I admit it I love writing this blog, its incredibly relaxing and it has encouraged me to learn so much more about the global community and what everyone is doing to save energy. It gives me somewhere to vent my feelings and thoughts (such as they are) - 3year doesn't care, 18 month old can't understand and 8 year old doesn't want to listen to her old mum. It has in a strange way given me some "adult" time when I can be me, Domestic Energy assessor and adult not the chief bottlewasher/cleaning lady/taxi aka mum.

But I am intrigued by the statistics that are coming back about who is reading my blog - people in America, UK, Israel, Russia, Sweden, France, Singapore. I am really pleased that there is 1 person reading it let alone all the people that seem to be (unless the stats are wrong). I am wondering what people think though, and although I can hope that job offers (daydreaming again) will be winging their way to me in the near future from some amazing energy related industry I don't think thats really going to happen.

Please if you have any comments or want to email me - hazelgreenassociates@yahoo.co.uk feel free (*nothing abusive though please - I am sensitive)

I probably won't write much over the weekend as it is going to be fairly busy - spending time with family, shopping, and my favourite activity of dog agility on sunday (adore it - you get cold, wet, frustrated when your dog won't do what you want but its good exercise and when it all comes together it feels fantastic) so I hope everyone has a lovely weekend doing what ever it is they enjoy.

Other countries (again).........

Israel:

On November 30th 2010, Bait Venoy, together with the Israeli Green Building Council, will host a convention dedicated to "Green Building - Technologies, Methods and Applications". The convention will discuss new disciplines in building, with a strong focus on environmental building standards and regulations in Israel and around the world. The convention will address the distinct values of those standards and their important contribution to improving the quality of the environment in and around building projects as well as the quality-of-life standards for the individuals in the communities.
The convention will include a professional exhibition and present cutting-edge projects and technologies from around the world.
Israel’s standard 5281 for buildings with minimal environmental impact addresses four main areas: energy, water savings, land, and various ecological issues. The Intel building meets the Israeli standard at the “Outstanding Green Building” level. The Israeli standard is slated to undergo major revisions, and Erdan said at the ceremony that he would be working closely with the Standards Institute of Israel to ensure that the standard conformed more closely to international levels.http://www.iisbeisrael.org/eng_about_us.htm - very good website.


Denmark:

Energy use by households usually accounts for not only a large share of a country’s total energy consumption, but often also a significant share of energy wasted. Reducing this wastage could make an important contribution to tackling climate change by reducing CO2 emissions. Against the background of needless energy waste and climate change linked to rising atmospheric CO2 levels, the need for improved energy efficiency has swung into focus on the global agenda.

Energy saving
In Denmark, prevention of energy waste in households has long been a focus area, and successive governments have introduced a range of energy saving policy initiatives together with building regulations designed to help householders reduce energy consumption (and thus energy bills) and minimise the environmental impact

A tightened building code, including stipulations on insulation and tighter-sealing doors and windows lowered Denmark’s heating bill by 20% between 1975 and 2001, even though 30% more heated floor space was built in that period.
Energy rating
The energy rating of buildings in Denmark developed out of these initiatives, and schemes now in force are seen as an important way to achieve energy savings in buildings – both existing and new.
In the mid-1990s the Danish government began focusing on the energy efficiency of domestic appliances, and introduced both retailer and consumer incentives to encourage their uptake. Today, many appliances sold must carry a label which rates energy efficiency according to a graded scale based on EU rules. Nordic knowledge Being situated in northern latitudes, Denmark is well accustomed to the challenges of relatively cold winters and has developed considerable know-how in building homes that can be heated in highly energy- efficient and cost-saving ways. Not surprisingly, Danish companies can be found among the world leaders in insulation materials for roofs, walls and floors, energy monitoring and thermostat control systems, as well as solar panels, small wind turbines and – looking ahead to a possible future Hydrogen Society – domestic combined heat and power generators driven by zero-CO2 emission fuel cells.
Sustainable solutions
With the increasing demand among the world’s nations for carbon-neutral architecture and building materials, Danish architects and companies are featuring prominently at international trade fairs focusing on sustainable building solutions.
In Denmark, it has since 2005 been possible to buy various types of housing accredited with the Swan-labelled, the environmental symbol introduced by the Nordic Council of Ministers to show that the product is a good environmental choice. http://www.denmark.dk/en/menu/Climate-Energy/Fact-Sheets/Energy-Efficiency-Do-You-Realize-The-Potential/

Switzerland:

Was really impressed when I read this (UK eco towns eat your heart out!) -

So far 120 Swiss local authorities have been designated "energy towns" – a sign of consistent and efficient energy policies.All the Swiss local authorities, cities and regions that have been labelled "energy towns" have made it their goal to reduce energy consumption, promote renewable sources, organise environmentally friendly transport and more.Thirty-seven per cent of Swiss live in an energy town and the list of local authorities involved runs from Aadorf to Zurich.The "energy town" label, which is based on a standardised catalogue of possible measures, has existed since 1997, although the concept dates back to the end of the 1980s. In 1993 the concept was formalised in the Federal Energy Office's Energy2000 programme and "energy town" was registered as a brand. Most energy towns are in the urban German-speaking parts of Switzerland. The only energy town in Italian-speaking Ticino is Mendrisio.

As a small country in the middle of Europe, Switzerland's energy policy is aligned with that of its neighbours. Switzerland is part of the western European power grid. In the summer it is able to export electricity, but in winter it generally has to import it. In 2005 for the first time it imported more than it exported.
Energy policy
The two main planks of Swiss energy policy are to promote the use of renewable resources and to encourage efficiency. The government sees this as particularly important in the face of the upcoming liberalisation of the European energy market, which Switzerland cannot avoid. Greater competition is likely to bring down the prices of fossil fuels. This would boost their use yet further, which would have a detrimental effect on the environment, undermining Switzerland's determination to cut its CO2 emissions by 2010 to 90% of its 1990 level.
Consumption
Switzerland's per capita electricity consumption is slightly higher than that of its neighbours, though well below that in Scandinavia, the US and Canada.

Am really fascinated at the moment with what "everyone" else is doing in the realm of energy saving, I started off thinking that the majority of countries were not doing much and I have been really suprised to see what everyone is doing. There are some very good examples now from other countries that we can all learn from.

http://www.celsias.com/actions/ - while I was researching other countries I found this website, lots of little ideas to help save energy and money, if everyone in the world signed up to just one of the ideas available on this website the energy saving would be unbelievable.

Comparisons

Its easy as a parent to get dragged into the whole my child is doing this earlier than your child routine, it doesn't do anyone any favours and sometimes can leave you feeling very negative about your own parenting skills.

Having just been to my eldests parents evening (shes doing very well, am proud) I was thinking on the way home about comparing countries.......... over the past few days I have looked at what other countries are doing, putting into practice, the websites (I still love Swedens website) and their promises and it has made me think of what its like when you compare children - nobody benefits and you can end up feeling negative when in fact there are things you should be proud of.

Every child develops at a different rate just as every country changes and implements new laws at different rates. The important thing is to praise what is good - if you complain/nag all the time it won't get anywhere.

So I am very proud of the EPC that the UK has in place, there are things that I would change but on the whole we are getting there. I am proud of what all the other countries are doing and it is impressive and encouraging to see what changes are occuring.

But I would still like to see some more changes - greater promotion of the EPC, better website, no interest loans available, available grants promoted more (this would also help stop the current winter scam) and more working together with other countries to see what we can all learn from each other - there is never any point in teaching your grandmother to suck eggs as the saying goes but we can all work together to improve our own countries.

Other countries etc

I must admit that although I have learned alot today with regards to what other countries are doing to reduce energy wastage in houses I have also been increasingly frustrated (sorry to repeat myself) with the news that training providers took advantage in Australia and the fact that the Americans have said that they need to work out how to produce a certificate for the energy efficency of buildings (the UK have had then for over 3 years). It has just emphasised to me how great the need is for everyone to work together on this issue!

I have also looked at what other countries are doing - and I was really impressed with what I have found.

Sweden:

Energy advice -

In all municipalities in Sweden you'll find energy and climate advisors. They will answer your questions free of charge on heating systems, district heating, biofuels, energy costs, government grants in the field of energy and a great deal more.
Find the energy and climate advisor in your municipality (in swedish).

Electricity bills and power cuts

Do you have thoughts on electricity bills and network charges? Or on how you can manage during a power cut and how you can prepare yourself for a power cut.

That is fantastic - energy and climate advisors who answer questions free of charge in the areas of grants etc - with one place in which to find them. The website http://www.energimyndigheten.se/en/Energy-efficiency/Household/ has various pages on how you can save money - depending on your lifestyle, travelling, living in an apartment and how to save energy when you are buying a house. All of the language used is easy to understand and is clear.

Germany:

In 2007 Germany set itself a target of being the world leader when it comes to energy efficency.

"The new energy concept was made public in September by the Federal Government, lead by Chancellor Angela Merkel, and offers a compass for cutting emissions by 80% compared to 1990 base level by 2050. An eighty per cent emissions cut looks like a great vision. So, how does Germany plan to achieve the 80% emissions cut? There are eight pillars holding the energy and climate construct:  1) renewables will make up 80% of Germany’s electricity generation by 2050, 2) energy efficiency will be drastically improved, 3)  existing nuclear power stations will stay on the grid for up to 25 more years, 4) smart grids will be introduced to allow for more efficiency between demand and supply, 5) the housing sector will be restructured towards more efficiency, 6) electric vehicles will be substantially subsidised, 7) more funding will be allocated to research and development and 8) Germany will spend effort and money to harmonize the European electricity grid to allow a better transfer between countries."

Very hopeful, I think the above is definately one of those lets wait and see what happens. It would be brilliant if it was achieved.

France:

New homes have to comply with them, and existing owners can get financial support to achieve them, but just what are the energy efficiency standards in France?In trying to come to grips with the regulations you will also have to learn some rather strange hieroglyphics – RT2005, BBC, HQE, THQE – so we thought a quick tour of the different labels and the basic standards set by each of them might be useful to you.The RT2005 is the minimum energy efficiency standard for new dwellings, replacing an earlier standard called the RT2000.
The full description is Réglementation Thermique 2005, and applies to all those new buildings where the planning application was submitted after 1st September 2006.
In order to obtain the HPE standard your energy consumption needs must be at least 10% lower than those set out in the RT2005.
The standard encompasses a consideration of the global performance of the dwelling through the space heating, hot water, air conditioning, ventilation and lighting systems.
Within the HPE standard there is also HPE Energies Renouvelables (HPE EnR) 2005, in which at least 50% of the heating must be from renewable energy.
Existing older homes build between 1st January 1948 and 1st Jan 1975 are also able to obtain the standard Haute Performance Energétique Rénovation ( HPE rénovation 2009).
The global energy standard set for such dwellings is a slightly more generous than for new dwellings, at 150 50 kWh/m2 per year, subject to location and altitude.
Bizarrely, there seems to be no energy standard for dwellings built prior to this date, and why 1948 has been chosen as the cut off point, is probably only known by the technocrat who drafted the legislation.Grants and Tax Breaks for Energy Conservation
There are grants, interest free mortgages and tax breaks available for measures of energy conservation, which you can read about in our guide to Home Energy Conservation in France.
The rules do not always require that a specific level of energy performance is achieved, notably with some of the tax credits that are available, although in all cases there are rules on the standard of performance of the materials and equipment to be used.
In other cases, you will generally be required to have an energy performance audit undertaken, with an assessment of the anticipated benefits of the work.3.1. Tax Credits in France for Home Energy Conservation
A French tax credit is available for heating and energy saving works to your French home.
A 'tax credit' needs to be distinguished from 'tax relief'. While the latter offers only a reduction in the amount of income tax payable, a tax credit entitles you to a payment by the tax authority. Accordingly, if are eligible to receive a greater sum than you actually pay in tax, then the taxman will send you a cheque for the balance!
Even if you pay no income tax due to your income you will still be entitled to a 'tax credit'. The eligible works includes most types of home energy conservation, provided the installation meets agreed performance standards. You need to discuss these standards with your installer to make sure the works comply with the regulations. In most cases, the tax credit is only available for the costs of the materials, and only then provided they are purchased and installed by a registered artisan or company. There is one important exception to this rule, which is applicable for all work carried out since January 2009. This relates to the installation of roof and wall thermal insulation, for which the tax credit can cover 25% of the labour cost, provided the project is undertaken in its entirety by a registered builder. 3.2. Eco Grant
A grant of between 20% and 35% of the cost of works of home energy conservation is available, subject to a test of resources. 3.3. Interest Free French Mortgages for Energy Conservation
There are interest free mortgages available through the high street banks for works of home energy conservation. iii. Loans and Grants
There are also a surprising number of local, departmental, or regional councils who offer grants or loans towards energy saving equipment, notably towards the installation of solar panels

There is an awful lot of information available after just a brief search on energy efficency in properties and the grants available from France. Although not as easy to read as the Swedish website France is very encouraging towards energy efficency and promotes it much more that the UK does.

Once again interesting to find out what other countries are doing to reduce their carbon footprint and encourage and promote energy efficency within dwellings.

What can we learn from other countries?

I have been reading some of my favourite blogs this morning and looking for new information about what other countries are doing to reduce the energy usage of their privately owned properties. Whilst I was looking I found this: -http://www.energy-performance-certificates.org/blog/think-domestic-energy-assessors-have-it-bad. Its from Mike C's blog and is dated back in March of this year, Mike has tirelessly provided good, up to date information for DEAs and the general public with regards to the energy assessors industry within this country and is one of the people I admire.

"Australia’s Housing Sustainability Assessment Scheme (HSAS) launched in July 2009 to provide 360,000 homes with free energy assessments, allowing homeowners to qualify for an interest-free loan of up to AU$10,000 to pay for energy-efficiency improvements under its Green Loans Program, repayable over four years. " Mike goes on to explain that it was thought that this scheme would take over 4 years to complete and provide work for the assessors in Australia.

Fortunately the Australians did alot of things right such as:
1. Setting a fee (no undercutting or rogue traders over there)
2. Giving lots of promotion.
3. Only one accreditaton scheme.
4. Interest free loan to make the improvements (great idea and a good way to get people to carry out the improvements in my opinion)

Although there were also the problems with the fact that the accreditation scheme suspended new assessor registration and late payments by the government to the assessors. And once again those nasty training providers were at it again, the Australian government did not cap the amount of assessors needed leaving the assessors in much the same position as the ones here in the UK with too many assessors and not enough work - the only people to benefit from that have been (once again) the training providers.
What was nice to see though was this quote from the ASBA - "While it was not our role under the Federal Government protocol to limit the number of registrations, we became sufficiently concerned with the increased number of assessors seeking accreditation. Therefore we took the decision to limit the number of registrations pending while at the same time putting our concerns directly to DEWHA. "

Apparently though the assessors in Australia have a champion, who believe in speaking her mind clearly - Christine Milne, who is a Green Party MP. Its nice to see that they have some one fighting their corner.

In 2011 Australia is legislating for homes sold to have a certificate of environmental performance - I can only hope that they look at what has happened already with their assessors and limit the number accredited and continue to keep the fees fixed so that the assessors do not suffer the same fate as the DEAs in the UK.

There are many things that both countries can learn from one another and this is what I feel would help in both countries:
1. Set the fee
2. Watch the training providers
3. One overall governing body
4. Incentives to encourage energy saving
5. Promotion to encourage greater understanding of the certificate
6. An EPC should only be valid for 12 months - not 3 years for selling and 10 years for rental. It causes confusion.
7. Cap the amount of assessors.

Admiration

Who do you admire? Margaret Thatcher, Cheryl Cole, Wayne Rooney, Barack Obama?

Although I do think alot of famous people are good the people I tend to admire are alot closer to home - my friends and family. It would take me less than 5 seconds to think of 10 people who I admire because of the amount of work they have put in to achieve a dream against all the odds, less than 5 seconds to think of 5 people who have overcome illness and personal tragedy to triumph and the list goes on. I am exceptionally lucky to have people in my life that I can look up to and who give me the push to carry on regardless and to try harder if and when (I am only human) I fail.

So I suppose the question is do we admire the human race and earth with all its life forms enough to protect it? To do "our bit" and save some energy? Or are we going to rely on other people, constantly hoping that someone else will do enough to counteract the fact that we have done nothing?

I firmly believe in the old saying of practise what you preach - thats why my computer/tv etc get switched off - not left on standby, that my loft is insulated to over 300mm, I have a good combi condensing boiler and that I walk when ever possible rather than using the car. There are lots of little tiny things that we can ALL do to save some energy (and money) that won't take long, won't cost much but will really make a difference in the long run.

Channel 4 last night.

I watched the programme on channel 4 last night - where the Green Party have gone wrong. I didn't think that I would like it but I admit I was fascinated by it.
How the movement started off and how the first real protest/rally sparked off all the large groups - Green Peace etc.

But they were all saying something very interesting and to my mind very simple - you can't be afraid to change your mind if new facts come to light.

There is global warming - you just have to talk to anyone over the age of 60 and ask what it was like when they were growing up, the normal reply is ooh we had proper seasons we did, and the snow was up past your knees (its what my grandma always says to me). Its not like that now - at the minute the seasons are all over the place so we know something has changed.

On a simple EPC if the recommendations were followed the house would put out 10 tonnes of CO2 less than it does now - imagine if all of the properties in the world had an EPC - how much CO2 could we save by doing that?

EPCs and CO2

Which countries have the greatest carbon footprint? As of research conducted by Pitney Bowes, collecting the latest data from around the globe, the country with the greatest carbon footprint per capita is the United States, with 20.1 tons of CO2 per capita. But numbers two, three, and four may surprise you.

Per capita, they are . . .

• United States (20.1 tons)
• Canada (18.4 tons)
• Belgium (14.3 tons)
• Finland (11.8 tons)
• France (6.7 tons)
• Germany (10.5tons)
• Netherlands (16.6 tons)
• Spain (8.8 tons)
• Switzerland (6.1 tons)
• United Kingdom (9.7 tons)

I can't say I am suprised to see how much is produced by the United States but the level of CO2 from Belgium is a suprise.

So lets say the US and Canada as the two largest producers of CO2 per capita start using the EPC with the addition of the recommendations of the EPC (don't forget am more than happy to visit either country to demonstrate the EPC) have to be carried out wouldn't we, as a global community, see a huge benefit?

I carried out an EPC this morning on a pre 1900 property and if the owner/landlord carried out the recommendations there would be a difference of over 10 points from the current 31on the environmental impact graph to a potential 41. At present the carbon dioxide emmissions from the property are 8.1 tonnes, with the potential if the recommendations were followed to be reduced to 6.4 tonnes - thats a reduction of 1.7 tonnes on just one property!If every property was assessed in the world just think of the difference it could make!