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"The objective of this study is to:  compile the available recent literature on ILUC emissions;  compare these emissions with the assumed gains of biofuels;  assess how ILUC changes the carbon balance of using biofuels;  formulate policies to avoid these extra emissions associated with ILUC. Trends in land use, with and without biofuels All the studies on global agricultural markets reviewed predict that new arable land will be required to meet future global demand for food and feed. Although there will be increased productivity on current arable land (intensification), food and feed demand will probably grow faster, which means that mobilization of new land is likely to occur. Biofuels produced from crops (the current mainstream practice) will add extra demand for crops like wheat, rice, maize, rapeseed and palm oil. This will increase prices for these crops (as well as for land) and lead to two impacts: intensification of agricultural production and conversion of forests and grasslands to arable land. In this report we consider the issue of indirect land use change initiated by EU biofuels policy and seek to answer the following questions:  What is the probability of biofuels policies initiating land use changes?  What greenhouse gas emissions may result from indirect land use change, expressed as a factor in the mathematical relation given above?  What technical measures can be applied and what policy measures adopted to limit or entirely mitigate indirect land use change and the associated greenhouse gas emissions? We first (Chapter 2) broadly discuss the mechanism of indirect land use change. We next discuss why there is a perception among stakeholders that there is a serious risk that EU biofuels policy will initiate indirect land use change (Chapter 3) and consider the figures cited by other studies as an indication of the magnitude the associated greenhouse gas emissions  (Chapter 4). We then broadly consid

the appropriate combination of a 'full' EU energy policy, a 'Schengen-like' energy policy and purely regional energy policies and schemes has to be thoroughly and decisively investigated, not least because it is one of the few areas of maneuver in which Europeans have to keep making progress through the hard times to come. T

Excellent over view of shale gas and compressed natural gas dynamics including conversion kits for automobiles and truck fleets. THE ONLY LOGICAL ANSWER to bridge the conversion from oil based fuels to paradigm alternatives lies in the conversion of personal transportation to the use of natural gas. Consider the following reasons: (long list) ONE WEEK AFTER Obama's energy policy speech, March 31, 2011, at Georgetown University, a bi-partisan group of more than 150 Members of Congress introduced HR.1835, with Rep. John Sullivan (R-OK) as the primary sponsor. The NAT GAS Act (New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions) Act, is the culmination of efforts of T. Boone Pickens to promote his "Pickens Plan" for changing the focus of American energy consumption. The NAT GAS Act provides incentives for using natural gas in vehicles, purchasing natural gas vehicles, installing natural gas refueling stations, and producing natural gas vehicles in America. The problem is that Obama and his energy secretary do not actually support HR 1835!  The speech was just a ruse.  Watch what he does, not what he says.  CNG-Compressed Natural Gas

The European Commission is pushing for the liberalisation of electricity markets as part of a wider attempt to forge an EU energy policy. EurActiv takes a closer look at the liberalisation drive, including power trading and challenges specific to the electricity sector.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) announced on May 14, 2012, that it has formulated a policy for promoting energy conservation and management, titled "Toward a Smart Energy City Beyond Power-Saving" (unofficial translation). In addition to i...

The World Future Council (WFC) announced this week the release of a new website designed to provide policy makers, regulators and advocates with comprehensive information on renewable energy adoption policies in order to speed up the procurement of clean energy around the world.

"We are thrilled - but not surprised - that because of a growth spurt in the development of wind energy, Texas has met its renewable energy goal 15 years ahead of schedule. Each time Texas has set a renewable energy goal, the state has achieved it far in advance of the deadline set by the Texas Legislature. That's because Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) policies are incredibly effective at stimulating new technologies and economic growth. RPS policies are also remarkably successful at reducing air pollution and global warming gases. This program has resulted in 9 million fewer tons of carbon dioxide and reduces emissions of nitrous oxide by more than 15,000 tons a year, and as such should be heralded as one of the state's most effective environmental programs. The success of this initiative goes to show the positive outcomes that can be reached when environmentalists and business communities work together."

"Resources such as guidebooks, technical reports, tools for training and asset management for social, public and cooperative housing professionals to support the development of their energy efficiency and environmental strategies; Case studies of both retrofitting of older properties and low energy new construction, effective partnerships with residents, ICT applications for empowering residents and more; An on-line forum for information and knowledge exchange between practitioners and policy makers and updates on EU funding opportunities; POWER HOUSE National/Regional platforms which gather enablers of the energy transition from all sectors to work in partnership; A platform to easily establish contacts and partnerships between local social and cooperative housing providers; Updates on development and policy discussions on EU legislation related to energy efficiency and renewables in housing and on the activities of the CECODHAS - Housing Europe Energy Policy work."

"DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the N.C. Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council."

DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the N.C. Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.

"Carbon neutrality by 2030 is the new standard for climate policies, and again the UK is leading North America in the climate debate with a bold national-level proposal about how to get there. The Centre for Alternative Technology just launched zerocarbonbritain2030 (ZCB2030), a collaborative project showing one possible scenario for making the entire UK carbon-neutral by 2030. ZCB2030 is a well-researched, well-written, and well-designed report on a set of possible pathways to a zero carbon Britain by 2030 (The goal, though bold, is not unique: Alex Steffen called for a very similar position for Seattle, a target which the Seattle City Council has included in their legislative priorities this year; and a variety of other nations and cities are approaching the same target, from Copenhagen to New Zealand). In 384 pages, CAT presents a comprehensive look at the kind of systemic changes needed to achieve dramatic emissions reduction in just 20 years in such areas as farming, energy generation, building codes, transportation planning, and economic frameworks. This report truly addresses the scope, scale and speed of the climate crisis and the solutions needed to create a bright green future. "

"How Good Politics Results in Bad Policy: The Case of Biofuel Mandates" Discussion Paper September 2010 Author: Robert Lawrence, Member of the Board, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs Belfer Center Discussion Papers Belfer Center Programs or Projects: Environment and Natural Resources