Press Archives
Analysis and Commentary
The Cheapest, Cleanest Way to Meet Electricity Demand
Demand response technologies, which range from smart thermostats and water heaters in homes to sophisticated industrial systems, aren’t discussed as often as renewables or conventional fossil fuel technology, but they will be critical for the future of our electricity system.
How more urbanization in China can actually improve our climate
The way in which new cities are built will drastically determine whether they contribute to the reversal – or acceleration – of climate change. Proper design of urban form and transportation systems, especially in China, will be crucial for getting these cities right.
Three of the World’s Best ‘Cities for People’
A new Energy Innovation report, Cities for People in Practice, compares three sustainably developed communities that offer successful examples of the “cities for people” approach to urban development. By emphasizing public transit, walkability, and bicycling, these neighborhoods provide increased mobility and a higher quality of life for residents and visitors, but development costs have been comparable to traditional neighborhoods.
Building Codes and Pollution Control
In an article for China Daily, Hal Harvey explains the importance of building codes for winning both the air quality and pollution battles in China. Building codes can help combat climate change. International experience suggests that carefully designed standards and pollution control strategies, if properly enforced, can make an enormous difference to air pollution and help with climate change.
How China Can Hit Renewable Energy Targets
In light of the recent U.S.-China pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is clearer than ever that China is committed to achieving a low-carbon electricity system and benefiting from a cleaner environment to boost economic development. But is this technically feasible in the world’s largest energy economy?
A city of the future in China
The Prize for Cities of the Future is given each year to a municipal project in China that demonstrates a “creative, effective, and scalable solution” to sustainable urban development challenges. Today’s urban planning decisions in China will carry huge consequences for how its cities develop for decades to come. These cities need smart, coherent strategies for development that make urban spaces livable, prosperous, and sustainable.