New WFC Publications online now
In January, the WFC has published the new study 'FITness Testing: Exploring the myths and misconceptions about feed-in tariff policies', which reviews and refutes common criticisms of feed-in tariffs. In addition, the WFC flagship publication "A Renewable World" is now available for free download. Click here for more information and downloads.
On November 15-16, 2009, the 1st Community Power Conference organised by the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association and the World Wind Power Association took place in Toronto, Canada. The particpants wrapped up a very successful conference with the creation of a new 'International Community Power working group'. WFC Research Manager Miguel Mendonça gave a presentation on 'Civil Empowerment and the Greening of the Economy'. Go to full story.
On October 10th 2009, representatives from various African countries in Addis Ababa established the African Renewable Energy Alliance (AREA). In this Alliance, utilities, industry, policy-makers and the civil society will work together to boost the take-up of sustainable electrification and thermal power. Go to full story.
Ontario creates comprehensive FIT
On October 1, 2009, an ambitious feed-in tariff scheme entered into force in the Canadian province Ontario. The system is based on the cost of generation from each different technology. The tariffs are precedent setting in North America not only for the number of different technologies listed, but also for the prices offered. Go to full story.
San Diego Renewable Energy Payments (REPs) conference
REPs are the most effective policy option for achieving energy security, job creation and the rapid deployment of renewable energy. There is growing awareness of the effectiveness of Renewable Energy Payments (REPs) in the US. See the proceedings of this conference, which was co-hosted by the World Future Council in October 2008.
Utility executives see solar success in Germany
Read the report of a group of US utility executives on a fact-finding mission to Germany, to learn about the country’s successful integration of significant amounts of solar energy into the electricity grid. Go to full story
Washington DC Feed-In Tariff workshop
Our March 2008 workshop in Washington DC brought together Feed-In Tariff expertise from many countries in Europe and North America. Watch the videos and read summaries of the presentations here.
The climate policies the world urgently needs
Tackling climate change means rapidly changing the way we generate and use energy. PACT aims to help lawmakers and advocates to envisage and implement laws and policies that effectively protect the climate. The two main areas of our work so far are Feed-In Tariffs and Energy Efficiency.
Renewable energy policies
Feed-In Tariff (FIT) laws have proved the best approach for accelerating the deployment of renewables in the electricity sector. FITs are a crucial element of the policy framework for promoting renewable energy. This section of the site aims to help users around the world to introduce or improve FIT laws in their country or region.
Policies for energy efficiency
A strategy that emphasises energy efficiency is the most economically and environmentally sensible way of providing energy for sustainable development and avoiding dangerous climate change. This section aims to help users finding policies to make energy use more sustainable and achieve an overall reduction of energy consumption.
The energy and climate crisis
The world’s energy consumption faces serious challenges. Based on 85% fossil fuels, the current energy consumption patterns, in particular in the developing world, accelerate the climate change crisis. Moreover fossil resources are fading out and energy shortages, economic instability and geostrategic disputes will increase. Both problems, threaten the living conditions of future generations. Today, we are still in the position to solve the energy and climate crisis, but the window of opportunity is closing. Even Fatih Birol, chief economist of the IEA, warned “we have to leave oil, before oil leaves us” (Guardian, 3 August 2009). Read more about climate change ...
To see in real time how many tonnes of carbon we are emitting, how many we still can emit without crossing the 2ºC threshold, and by how much percent we must reduce our emissions to achieve this ceiling, go to the Trilliothtonne.org.