Energy Efficiency Services
Date: 2020-06-05
Indian state-owned Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) are reporting the launch of the Healthy and Energy Efficient Buildings initiative aimed at retrofitting existing buildings and air conditioning systems for better health conditions and increased energy efficiency.

As part of the initiative, EESL will develop specifications for Indian building energy as well as aid in evaluating the effectiveness and cost benefits of various technologies and their short and long-term impacts on air quality, comfort, and energy consumption.

A recent PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC Ltd) report noted that various Indian energy efficiency measures have translated into approximate savings of Rs 89,122 crore ($890,000 US) in 2018-19, as against Rs 53,627 crore ($530,000 US) savings during 2017-18. (Source: EESL, USAID, Outlook India, June, 2020) Contact: USAID, www.usaid.gov; Energy Efficiency Services Ltd., 011-4580 1260, www.eeslindia.org

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PwC
Date: 2020-01-22
A recent PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) pole of more than 1,500 worldwide major corporate leaders has found that climate change concerns have "soared up the CEO agenda".

The survey found that 64 pct of CEOs in the UK believe climate change is a threat to their organization, with a quarter stating that they were "extremely concerned" about the issue -- tripling 2016 levels when just 7 pct of UK CEOs said they were extremely concerned.

On the up side, more than half of respondents agreed that climate change initiatives will lead to significant new product and service opportunities, while almost three-quarters of UK CEOs -- and a similar proportion of global CEOs -- believe their response to climate change initiatives will provide a public opinion advantage among key stakeholders. Even so, 54 pct of UK CEOs said they do not believe they are seeing changes in international policies that will mitigate climate change risks while 21 pct of UK CEOs believe they are seeing effective change in this area on the domestic front -- well below the global average of 36 pct. (Source: PwC, Various Media, BusinessGreen, 20 Jan., 2020) Contact: PwC, Emma Cox, UK Leader for Climate Change and Sustainability, +44 (0)20 7583 5000, +44 (0)20 7212 4652 - fax., www.pwc.co.uk

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Roanoke Electric Cooperative,
Date: 2019-10-18
The N.C. Weatherization Assistance Program (NSWAP) reports the issuance of a total $128,000 in grant funding to Roanoke Electric Cooperative, Blue Ridge Energy and Fayetteville Public Works Commission for a pilot community solar program covering a total of 40 low-income homes. NCWAP is also providing weatherization and energy efficiency services to these single-family households.

Fayetteville Public Works Commission will use the funding to support the participation of 10 eligible households in their PWC Community Solar Weatherization Pilot project.

Blue Ridge Energy's Community Solar Savings Pilot will serve 10 households, with each receiving a bill credit for the energy generated by solar panels plus a rate reduction from the standard residential energy charge.

Roanoke Electric Cooperative will serve 20 homes participating in the Upgrade to Save Community Solar Program. The community solar participation will allow the households to share in the community solar garden and receive future billing credits estimated at approximately $365 per year per eligible household for a period of no less than 15 years. (Source: NCWAP, rrspin.com, 15 Oct., 2019) Contact: N.C. Weatherization Assistance Program , www.nc.gov/weatherization-assistance-program

More Low-Carbon Energy News Roanoke Electric Cooperative,  Solar,  Community Solar,  

RwC
Date: 2019-07-12
A new report from international accountancy and consulting giant PriceWatershouse Coopers (PwC) predicts that energy efficiency should continue to grow in the build up to 2040 even as the global economy grows. The trend is the result of technological progress and structural change as many economies have moved away from manufacturing and towards services, which by its nature is more energy efficient, according to PwC.

The PwC report notes the UK is among the economies with the most improvement since 1990, while the greatest strides have been seen in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Download the report HERE. (Source: PwC, Energy Voice, 11 July, 2019) Contact: PwC UK, Mike Jakeman, Snr. Economist, www.pwc.com

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PwC
Date: 2018-10-22
International accountancy and consulting giant PriceWatershouse Coopers (PwC) reports its commitment to cut carbon emissions, source 100 pct renewable energy for its electricity consumption, and to offset all business air travel has been reinforced with membership in the Climate Group and CDP lead RE100 initiative. The commitment applies to 21 of PwC's largest firms accounting for 88 pct of revenues in 2018.

In addition to joining RE100, PwC has also committed to offsetting unavoidable emissions linked to air travel by investing in a range of voluntary carbon offsets. PwC network firms will select from a portfolio of offsetting projects to reflect their local priorities. Amongst the project portfolio are a biodiversity reserve in Borneo, a wind farm in Turkey, a cook stove project in China and a landfill gas project in New York state generating electricity for 18,000 homes and creating 420 acres of new wetlands. (Source: PWC, The Financial, 17 Oct., 2018)Contact: PricewaterhouseCoopers, www.pwc.com; RE100, www.thre100.org; CDP, www.cdp.net

More Low-Carbon Energy News CDP,  RE100,  PwC,  Carbon Emissions,  Renewable Energy,  

Carbon Capture,PricewaterhouseCoopers
Date: 2018-10-08
According to a report from PricewaterhouseCoopers, there was "almost zero chance" of limiting global warming to below 2 degree C without carbon capture and storage (CCS). The report also noted that the gap between the current decarbonization rate and that needed to limit global warming to 2 degree C was widening and none of the G20 countries achieved the 6.4 pct rate required to limit warming to 2 degree C this year.

At current decarbonization levels, the global carbon budget for 2 degree C would run out in 2036.

Each year the global economy failed to decarbonize at the required rate, the 2 degree C goal would become more difficult to achieve. The gap between current decarbonization and that needed to limit global warming to 2 degree C was 6.4 pct a year, the PwC report added.

London, UK-headquartered PricewaterhouseCoopers is a multinational professional services network of firms in 158 countries and 743 locations. (Source: PwC, The Australian, Graham Lloyd, Environment Editor, 7 Oct., 2018) Contact: PricewaterhouseCoopers, www.pwc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News PricewaterhouseCoopers,  Climate Change,  Carbon Capture,  CCS,  

Summit Community Power Works
Date: 2018-09-10
In Utah, the Summit Community Power Works is reporting the launch of a new initiative challenging 200 Summit County households to reduce their overall carbon emissions by December. Utah Clean Energy absorbed Summit Community Power Works over the summer. The challenge is designed to provide Park City and Summit County residents with tools and resources to help in the community's overall goals to significantly increase their energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint.

The challenge is centered on a new online platform that gives participants access to about 70 different tips that will help reduce their carbon footprint-environmental impact. While the challenge is designed for homeowners, businesses will be encouraged to participate as well, Emerson said. Part of the coordination comes from the Watt Smart community plans that have been developed with Rocky Mountain Power. (Source: Summit Community Power Works, Park Record. 9 Sept., 2018) Contact: Summit Community Power Works, Kevin Emerson, Energy Efficiency Program Director, CSPW Challenge, https://scpwchallenge.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  Energy Efficiency,  

Strategy& Middle East
Date: 2018-06-13
According to a new study by Beirut-based management consultancy Strategy& Middle East, middle-eastern Gulf state governments (GCC) must develop a carefully planned strategy and framework to maximize the impact of renewable energy projects which could see a cumulative total of $40 billion invested in the GCC between 2016 and 2020, provided the correct decisions and policies are adopted.

The study finds that renewable energy continues to attract an increasing share of global investment, with annual investments expected to grow by $130 billion, compared to 2016 figures, reaching around $370 billion in 2020. The global investment cumulative total is estimated at $1.5 trillion between 2016 and 2020.

The report notes that GCC countries thus far have made little investment in renewables technology -- less than $1 billion in 2016 -- and are at risk of falling further behind other countries if they do not create a supportive, coherent policy framework to facilitate renewables investment.

While several factors in the GCC make rapid deployment of renewables attractive, there are major structural and institutional factors behind current underinvestment in renewable energy. These include generous fuel subsidies, a mindset that prefers building very large conventional plants to meet rapidly growing demand, concerns over transmission and distribution networks and unclear regulatory and policy frameworks that discourage the development of renewables. (Source: Strategy& Middle East, Arabian Business, 5 June, 2018) Contact: Strategy& Middle East, +961 1 985 655, www.strategyand.pwc.com/me/home

PwC
Date: 2018-02-14
Professional services and auditing giant PwC UK reports it plans to cut its carbon footprint by 40 pct by 2022 by utilizing 100 pct renewable energy, further reducing its travel, and further reducing its energy consumption.

PwC UK achieved and exceeded its 2007 sustainability goal of reducing carbon emissions by 25 pct by increased building efficiencies, holding carbon emissions from travel flat and cutting its energy consumption by half. (Source: PwC, PR, 13 Feb., 2017) Contact: PwC UK, www.pwc.co.u

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  Carbon Footprint,