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Lessons from 15 Years of Experience with the Dutch Tax Allowance for Energy Investments for Firms - Environment Working Paper No. 55

Since 1997, the Netherlands has had a tax allowance scheme that was introduced to promote investments in energy-saving technologies and sustainable energy production. This so-called Energy Investment Tax Allowance (EIA in Dutch) reduces up-front investment costs for firms investing in the newest energy-saving and sustainable energy technologies.

National Adaptation Planning: Lessons from OECD Countries - Environment Working Paper No. 54

Since the first OECD country published its national adaptation strategy in 2005, there has been a marked increase in national planning for climate change adaptation. This paper provides an overview of national adaptation planning activity across OECD countries and identifies some of the emerging lessons that have been learnt from their experiences.

Biotechnology for the Environment in the Future: Science, Technology and Policy

Environmental biotechnology is focused on clean-up and much of the policy in this area is around compliance, whereas industrial biotech has quite different policy objectives and only started to grow as a field with the worldwide interest in biofuels. Much of the world now has targets for bioenergy and favourable policy regimes to stimulate production and use of biofuels, but sustainability has become a real issue.

Cross-Border Trade in Electricity and the Development of Renewables-Based Electric Power: Lessons from Europe

To benefit fully from cross-border trade in electricity, interconnected countries need to establish a non-discriminatory trading regime based on co-operation and co-ordination, says this study of trade in renewables-based electric power in Europe.

Climate change won't wait

The European Union may be facing some difficult economic challenges, but that's no excuse for not acting now to create an economy based on resource efficiency and low-carbon development. The benefits are potentially enormous, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, more efficient use of energy and resources and rising growth and innovation.

Putting Green Growth at the Heart of Development, Summary for Policy makers

Putting Green Growth at the Heart of Development, Summary for Policy makers

World Water Day: Big problems but there are solutions

This week, around 30,000 children under the age of five will die from water-related diseases, one every 20 seconds.

Climate Change Expert Group (CCXG) Global Forum

This event held on 19-20 March 2013 at the OECD is part of a series of seminars, organised by the OECD and the IEA, which aims to promote dialogue and enhance understanding between a wide range of experts on technical issues in the international climate change negotiations. The agenda, presentations and list of participants are now available.

Italy: environment improving but more effort needed

Italy has taken a range of initiatives to improve the management of its natural resources and reduce energy intensity. Despite this progress, the OECD’s Environmental Performance Review of Italy says the country still faces numerous environmental challenges.

OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Italy 2013