The new Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa ignores key elements of innovation research

Posted on by Nancy Carter — No Comments ↓

In his recent blog post David Ockwell, Deputy Director of the STEPS Centre, shared his concerns that the new Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 does not consider concerns raised by years of innovation research that were recently addressed by STEPS Centre research on the growth of the Solar Homes Systems market in Kenya…

Seed-selector_STEPSCentreOn 2 July African Union Heads of State and Government adopted the new Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa 2024 (STISA-2024). This replaces the previous African Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA) that was adopted by the AU back in 2006. STISA-2024 sets out a decadal vision that prioritises science, technology and innovation (STI) as the core driver of economic and human development across the continent. The vision, based on what is described as a “participatory process” that included “…policy-makers, prominent scientists, and researchers at home and in Diaspora; institutions and organizations including the AU Commission and the NEPAD Agency”, is focussed around six core goals: Eradication of Hunger and Achieving Food Security; Prevention and Control of Diseases; Communication (Physical and Intellectual Mobility); Protection of our Space; Live Together- Build the Society; and Wealth Creation.

The document itself articulates some sound ideas of the barriers faced by both the preceding CPA and STI in Africa more generally. These frame the impetus for STISA-2024 and include: insufficient funding for STI; over reliance on oversees funding that tends to focus on isolated projects; a lack of linkages between entities in charge of STI policy making and other relevant policy organisations, academics and the private sector; STI policy officials lacking in STI expertise; and inadequate infrastructure, e.g. IT, energy, water. These barriers certainly concur with recent research in the STEPS Centre, for example in this recent paper.

Find the full post on the STEPS Centre blog here

(Photo credit: Seed selector, Kenya / STEPS Centre)

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Rising energy costs and insecurity show EU must get real about reducing demand

Posted on by Steven Sorrell — No Comments ↓

Thermal Image of the Old HouseIn proposing a 30% rather than a 40% energy demand reduction target, the European Commission is increasing the risks that European Union member states face from fossil fuel dependence and slowing the economic and social benefits of better insulated homes and lower energy bills.

The EU should have the courage to adopt a legally binding target of 40% energy savings by 2030 as was originally proposed. This would ensure that all member states introduce effective energy efficiency policies and would reinforce the EU’s leadership role in reducing carbon emissions and preventing dangerous climate change.

The proposed 30% target suggests a weakening of political commitment. Several studies have shown how the technology and strategies are available to achieve more ambitious reductions without imposing a burden on the economy. For example, there are already cars currently available that are 40% more fuel-efficient than the current EU standard – and changes in design and materials can reduce emissions by more than 40%.

A legally binding 40% target would potentially reduce EU gas imports by up to 40% compared to 2010, roughly equivalent to the amount of gas currently imported from Russia. It would reduce household energy bills through improved energy efficiency, lowering levels of fuel poverty and reducing the effects of poor-quality housing on health. And it would reduce the scale of investment in renewable energy infrastructure by reducing energy demand. Read more ›

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The Eco Technology Show 2014

Posted on by Mari Martiskainen — No Comments ↓

Low carbon innovation, energy services, renewable heat, new economy, sustainable transport – these were only some of the topics covered by the two-day Eco Technology Show 2014, which took place in the Brighton Centre on 26-27 June, 2014.

“This government is delivering like no other” on climate change and “we need to make green mainstream”, were some of the remarks made by Greg Barker MP, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, in his keynote speech which opened the seminar series of the event.

Greg Barker MP, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change (image Mari Martiskainen)

Greg Barker MP, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change (image Mari Martiskainen)

From a Government’s viewpoint, as the Minister put it, it is important to focus on a few really important things and deliver on those. He mentioned some general pointers and statistics, such as the introduction of the Climate Change act; that the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions were 25% below 1990 levels; that over 500,000 people were using the Feed in Tariff (FIT); that during the weekend before, 8% of the UK’s electricity generation had come from solar; and that £3.9 billion had been invested in the Green Investment Bank. This all sounds very impressive coming from a Minister, who is adept at public speaking. However, when you look at some of the figures more closely, you start to wonder how the UK could do better. Charles Perry, Director of Anthesis – SecondNature, who chaired the talk, pointed out that in Germany, it is not unheard of that 50% of electricity comes from solar in the summer months, while Bangladesh is installing one solar panel each minute. Furthermore, the UK’s recently published Solar Strategy was watered down from an initial target of 20 gigawatts (GW) by 2020 to 12GW by 2020. And there is no mention of the estimated £110 billion cost of the UK’s nuclear waste clean up compared to the level of financial support for renewables. What was perhaps more telling was the Minister’s visibly deep sigh when a member of the audience raised the inevitable question on fracking. Read more ›

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Makers, fixers and circular economies

Posted on by Adrian Smith — No Comments ↓

The connection between grassroots making and fixing movements and innovation for low energy demand may not be immediately obvious. When thinking about energy demand and resource use it is reasonable to focus attention on immediate and intensive activities, such as heating homes or offices, or making energy-using products more efficient. However, if we think about the energy used to make and distribute the products used in those built environments perhaps links with making and fixing become less tenuous? Products ‘embody’ energy demand in terms of the resources required to mine, process, manufacture, and distribute them. As products break and become discarded, so further energy is demanded in the production of replacements.

Even relatively low energy using products like laptop computers attract criticism about the energy (and water) demands in their manufacture. The manufacture of microchips is energy intensive and has a material intensity in order of magnitude higher than ‘traditional’ products. With more products going digital, through the incorporation of smarter control systems, for example – and speculation about them communicating with one another and us via an ‘Internet of Things’ – then perhaps we need to think about embodied energy? Read more ›

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Energy efficiency – a people’s revolution?

Posted on by Nancy Carter — No Comments ↓

If I told you that you could make an investment that yielded long term, guaranteed monthly returns – greater than a savings account and more secure than stocks and shares – with no upfront costs, as well as adding additional value to your home, you’d bite my hand off right?

cied launch

Energy efficiency improvements under the UK’s Green Deal policy offer this type of potential, with the scheme tipped as the trigger to ‘a third industrial revolution’. However by the end of 2013 only 12 homes had installed Green Deal improvements, with no such revolution materialising.

So if the Green Deal isn’t the answer, what is needed for the UK to achieve an energy efficiency revolution? This was the topic of the Centre for Innovation and Energy Demand’s (CIED) launch event, which untied in discussion a panel of 5 heavy hitting speakers alongside a room of 90 professionals from across the industry in the impressive surroundings of Portcullis House, Parliament.

Introductory comments from Dr Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton, highlighted the increasingly urgent need for energy efficiency to assist in making a meaningful dent in the UK’s climate change commitments. This would require significant step changes in efficiency gains by 2030- is the sector up to meeting this challenge? Read more ›

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