Reducing energy demand and increasing energy efficiency are seen as major elements of the ongoing transformation of energy systems in multiple national and international programs like the EU 20-20-20 targets. Despite the predominately socio-economic nature of energy demand such interdisciplinary...

Nearly all the macroeconomic literature on environmental policies deals with taxes and tradable permits. A policy instrument that still needs to be looked at is a switch in government expenditure away from environmentally-damaging goods, in particular fossil fuels, and toward resource- and...

As part of the Kyoto Protocol, many countries have committed themselves tosubstantially reduce the emission of greenhouse gases within a politically imposed timeconstraint. Investment subsidies can be an important instrument to stimulate the adoption ofenergy-saving technologies to achieve...

This paper examines the energy savings, environmental benefits, and economic impact of green roof systems applied to a "micro" region in Western Turkey. This subdivision (Artur) in Karaaægaç, Izmir, consists of 1729 residential units, mostly used as summer homes. The units are in 45m2, 60m2,...

Improving the energy efficiency of the residential housing sector represents a key challenge in meeting Ireland's carbon reduction targets. While challenges exist across the sector in terms of incentivising upgrades, these difficulties are more pronounced in the rental sector, which suffers from...

Fossile Brenn- und Kraftstoffe werden in Deutschland überwiegend importiert. Der Ausbau erneuerbarer Energien und Effizienzgewinne, die durch die Energiewende induziert werden, bringen einen verringerten Einsatz dieser fossilen Brenn- und Kraftstoffe mit sich. Ziel ist es, die Einsparungen...

This study uses data of a representative sample of Swiss firms to assess the effectiveness of policy measures directed at the diffusion of energy effcient technology (EET). Three different outcome variables (number of EET applications implemented, CO2 reduction, and EET related investment) are...

The paper presents results of the implementation of an efficiency strategy in Germany until 2020 which is focused on cost-effective measures. The efficiency measures are calculated in bottom-up models and translated into a top-down macro-economic model. The comparison to a business as usual...

The paper first outlines the challenges the global energy system is facing. It then summarises the present knowledge of energy efficient solutions in all energy using sectors from primary energy to useful energy and, more importantly, from useful energy to energy services (material efficiency...