France’s solar-panel imports surged last year as developers relied mostly on foreign manufacturers to supply a boom in renewable-energy projects, Environment Minister Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet said. French customs figures show the deficit in favor of solar panel imports widened to 1.5 billion euros ($2.1 billion) in 2010 compared with 800 million euros the previous year, she said at a conference in Paris.

Germany, a pioneer in many renewable energy initiatives, is also at the forefront of creating environment-friendly toys aimed at making kids think about where energy comes from and how much of it they can use, raising awareness through play.

Biofuel crops can potentially meet half of the current global demand for fuel without affecting food crop production, according to researchers at the University of Illinois. Ximing Cai, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the university, led a team of researchers in isolating land areas across the globe suitable for producing biofuel grass crops with minimal agricultural or environmental impact.

China's measures to develop wind energy will help to save energy, reduce emissions and protect the environment and are in line with the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday in response to a US complaint against China's subsidy for the wind-power sector.

Sweden and Norway have agreed the bases for a common green certificate market, energy ministers for both nations said on Wednesday. A green certificate is a tradable commodity proving that a certain electricity has been produced using a renewable source of energy, such as wind, solar or hydropower. Environmental groups hope they can boost the use of renewables.

Drying biosolids to approximately 75 percent solids, beyond the 15 to 20 percent solids typical at wastewater treatment plants, was recognized as the best way to create a workable, pathogen-free biosolid that could be used as cover at the Toland Road Landfill in Santa Paula, with potential future use as fertilizer or fuel. A biosolids drying system was developed to meet the long-term disposal needs of Ventura County in an economical, environmentally responsible manner.

Officials with the Robins Air Force Base Energy Office are conducting feasibility on the use of plasma arc technology, which offers environmentally safe measures for waste disposal. "The process can take nearly any material and convert it to energy," said Judith Middlebrooks, an engineer with the Energy Office. "It uses extremely high temperatures to turn products into mostly hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Plastics are really great, but most any organic compound will work."

As the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico wraps up its final day, discussions continue over some crucial issues such as the need to simultaneously reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and provide the world with more energy. While no one expects major progress towards a comprehensive binding treaty, Mexican officials say they do see progress in some areas and that the conference is providing an opportunity for many governments and environmental organizations to share ideas and forge agreements of their own.

An act as simple as replacing a light bulb could lead to billions of dollars in electricity savings, a new assessment by the United Nations Environment Programme shows. It studied the advantage of switching from obsolete incandescent lamp technology to compact fluorescent lamps or C.F.L.’s.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said a fund it established to develop large capacity solar projects will increase the renewable energy resource to 3GW by mid-2013 in the Asia and Pacific region. Haruhiko Kuroda, president of ADB, said governments in Asia and the Pacific should invest in solar energy to help ensure their growth is environmentally sustainable.

Head of government's environmental transport policy urges businesses to enrol employees on subsidised eco-driving courses The head of environmental transport policy at the Department for Transport (DfT) has criticised the apparent lack of corporate interest in a government-backed scheme encouraging people to drive in an environmentally friendly manner.

This thought constantly runs through the mind of Casey Lauer, director of energy and environment at K-State. It is a topic that is becoming debated more and more, and Lauer is one of many people on campus trying to figure out how the university can save money through decreased energy use. In Forum Hall in the K-State Student Union on Monday, Lauer and others spoke on the topic of energy consevation.

Compressed natural gas technology first appeared in Vietnam with the introduction of CNG natural gas plant in Phu My I Industrial Zone, Tan Thanh district, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, which began operation in late August 2008. In Nay 2010, to limit environmental pollution and reduce climate change, for the clean and green environment, Vietnam Oil and Gas Group of issued Resolution No. 2958/NQ-DKVN approving the conversion and use of CNG fuel for cars of all members of the group in the areas of HCM city and Ba Ria-Vung Tau (about 600 vehicles).

As one of few four star hotels at international standards in Hanoi, Fortuna Hotel, which is located in a bustling street with many office buildings, has become ideal accommodations for many domestic and foreign customers. Apart from modern and luxurious architect and professional services, Fortuna Hotel attracts a variety of customers thanks to the motto of doing business combined with protecting the environment and conserving energy.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is extending up to $200 million to facilitate private sector participation in natural gas distribution infrastructure in the People's Republic of China (PRC). According to ADB, the project will support the Government of the PRC's push to reduce coal consumption and increase the use of natural gas, a cleaner fuel that is better for the environment and in large supply in the PRC.

The initial line-up of energy efficient roofing products, includes a solar energy-generating system, a unique ventilation and insulation product, along with steel and aluminum shingles. According to company President Todd Miller, "We are bringing products to market that allow homeowners to invest in and improve their current homes, and do so in a way that benefits the environment."

According to the project of “Promoting Energy Efficiency in Small and Medium Enterprises” implemented by the Ministry of Science and Technology under supervision of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and assistance of the Global Environment Fund (GEF), the Dong Thap Province Center for Industry Promotion and Development Consultancy has carried out an energy audit program at the Ba Tang Ice Company (in Long Thanh Hamlet, Phu Thanh A Commune, Tam Nong District, Dong Thap Province).

EnergyHub, a home energy management company, recently announced that it will be supplying its technology to Honeywell for inclusion in the company's portfolio of energy management solutions. According to Joseph Puishys, Honeywell's president of Environmental and Combustion Controls, EnergyHub's home energy management system will allow homeowners to minimize their energy bills by viewing and adjusting their energy usage settings.

On days with little wind, Europe may have to rely on Norwegian reservoirs to keep its wheels running smoothly in the future. On the Continent, the concept of Norway as Europe's green battery has caught on -- but is it feasible in practice? The Centre for Environmental Design of Renewable Energy (CEDREN) -- one of Norway's Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research -- is carrying out the HydroPEAK project to study whether Norway could truly provide Europe's balance power.

The Metropolitan building (235 Dong Khoi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), with the main function of an office for rent, was built in May 1996. Since 2004, seeing the importance of saving electricity in terms of economy as well as environment, the Directorate of the building has invested in renovating energy using equipment to save costs and meet development demand. With investment solutions, the annual power consumption of the building has been reduced by about 11.9%.