Items tagged:
Renewable energy
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Critical theme: The polluter elite, inequality and the ecological crisis
Independent researcher Dario Kenner has spent years studying the ‘polluter elite’ and how they have blocked the transition to a green economy. At a discussion at IIED's headquarters on 22 July, he’ll show that their personal wealth and interest in maintaining the status quo opens new options for campaigns.
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Turning up the volume: five insights into aggregating finance for expanding off grid energy investment
As renewable technology costs have plummeted in recent years, excitement about the off-grid renewable energy sector has exploded. Yet there are still some significant finance barriers to overcome
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BRICS summit: an opportunity to lead a fairer more sustainable world
Ahead of this week's BRICS summit, IIED's chief economist identifies two key ways the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa can fill the growing global political vacuum and promote sustainability
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Why low-carbon urban development in African cities makes economic sense
City governments in East Africa are grappling with rapid urbanisation and widespread poverty. Pursuing low-carbon urban development could offer a many of benefits
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But, what is the Africa position?
IIED trustee Fatima Denton reflects on Africa's position ahead of COP21 and sees a mix of threat and opportunity
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What will speed up the micro-grid revolution?
For investors to have greater confidence in micro-grid electricity generation, more attention needs to be paid to ensuring technology operates well in rural communities
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Feeding into energy access: data-driven funding
Data on rural electricity use in unconnected parts of the world could support new ways of funding renewable technologies, providing access to those who need it most
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How can we finance sustainable energy for all?
Leading politicians and thinkers are being urged to make sustainable energy available to all. Achieving this goal requires research in how people and communities use energy and how sustainable energy can be financed
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2014 Barbara Ward Lecture: Fatima Denton calls for a "new paradigm" for African development
Leading climate expert Fatima Denton called for a new narrative on Africa and climate change when she delivered the 2014 Barbara Ward Lecture
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If the coal industry really cared about helping poor countries, it would shut itself down
Coal companies are in complete denial — the developing world doesn't need more pollution or expensive new grids, but renewable energy sources
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Transforming energy access: a conversation with Kandeh Yumkella
What will it take to deliver modern energy services to the poor – particularly those in rural Africa who need decentralised energy? What are the barriers to transformative change and what opportunities should be seized today?
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Three big financial shifts put spotlight on social and environmental impacts of large dams — again
With three big shifts in flows of finance rendering recent efforts to limit the environmental and social impacts of large dams marginal, backers of new dams are being urged to ensure safeguards are in place
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Scaling up renewable technologies: incremental or transformational change?
As developing countries transition towards low-carbon economies, governments face tough investment choices.
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Low carbon resilience in the least developed countries: a panacea to address climate change?
Instead of talking about climate change mitigation or adaptation, low carbon resilience has become the new buzzword in climate policy.
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Does development assistance have a future?
No one unequivocally and wholeheartedly said development assistance worked at yesterday’s debate on whether it had a future. All three panel speakers saw the need for a radical change in approach.
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2012 Barbara Ward Lecture: Christiana Figueres calls for an "energy revolution"
Christiana Figueres is executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. She used her appearance at the 2012 Barbara Ward Lecture to call for an "energy revolution"
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Sustainable living success stories that go beyond the 'greenwash'
Those who are doing it well are having their efforts recognised at the coveted Ashden Awards, which highlights “practical, local energy solutions that cut carbo
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Energy: One for all, and all for one
Most of the 2 million car trips shared every month are taken to save money and to make friends. The 112,000 tonnes of C02 saved every year are an added bonus.
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Moving beyond the preamble to creating a new story at Rio+20
The panelists, Tony Cunningham MP (Labour), Martin Horwood MP (Liberal Democrats),
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Three views on how to save a planet under pressure
If someone had peeked into room seven at the Excel centre yesterday they would have seen small groups clustered around tables talking animatedly and scribbling notes onto large pieces of paper. They were part of a World Café session discussing how to ensure poor people can benefit from the green economy.
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UN climate chief Christiana Figueres calls for an “energy revolution”
New technologies and the involvement of the private sector are needed to tackle climate change emissions and power the world said Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the
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A new President: what does this mean for Bulgaria’s energy sector?
On 23 January 2012, Bulgaria’s new President, Rosen Plevneliev, will start his new job.
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Study sheds light on how public-private partnerships can bring renewable energy to the poorest
A report published by IIED today (29 July) examines how governments, donors and businesses can work together to provide poor communities with low-carbon energy supplies.
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How to scale up sustainable energy: answers from the Ashden Awards
All sorts of sustainable energy initiatives across the world are providing solutions to local energy problems. But how can these be scaled up to reach billions of people and really tackle the big issues of climate change and energy access for all? This was the question on everyone’s lips at the Ashden Awards conference last week. And there was a lot to learn from the five international finalists. In a series of films, presentations and discussions each finalist shared their experience of creating new technologies, innovative business models and inspirational marketing initiatives to find solutions that benefit the environment and improve livelihoods. And, despite working against a backdrop of financial limitations and unsupportive policy environments, they are all managing to scale up at a fantastic rate.
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Renewables, why bother?
For much of the developing world producing clean energy that also mitigates carbon emissions is a very low priority. After all, why should countries that haven't significantly contributed to climate change worry about reducing their relatively tiny carbon emissions? In any case who would pay for it all?
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Business models for sustainable development
Market-based activities are now recognised by governments, business and development agencies round the world as potential solutions to major sustainable development challenges – reducing poverty, enhancing livelihoods, protecting ecosystems, tackling climate change, and meeting the Millennium Development Goals.
