EU member states have been encouraged to introduce energy efficiency obligation schemes (EEOS) to help meet energy saving objectives. As a result, there are now 15 EU EEOS in existence, compared with just six prior to the introduction of the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive. At the same time, the long-standing EEOS in Denmark and the UK have faced challenges because of concerns over increasing costs. This paper considers the role of EEOS in current and future EU and national policy. Firstly, this paper sets out in more detail the place of EEOS in EU energy policy.

In April 2010 the Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched the Tokyo Cap-and-Trade Program to reduce energy consumption-related CO2 emissions at the city level. This is the world's first cap-and-trade programme to cover buildings in the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Its main aim is to reduce CO2 emissions from energy consumption in existing buildings in urban areas; therefore, it is called an ‘urban cap-and-trade programme’.

The work carried out by Copenhagen Economics for the Renovate Europe Campaign broke new ground in the debate around the benefits of investing in energy efficiency and has, in several ways, advanced the EU agenda in this topic. In executing the contract for us, Copenhagen Economics were professional, impartial and eloquent. I would unhesitatingly use their services again.

The Shenzhen ETS is the first urban-level “cap-and-trade” carbon emissions trading scheme to operate in China. This paper gives an overview of the economic and emissions situation in Shenzhen and focuses on the development of the Shenzhen ETS regulatory framework. It is devised as an ETS with an intensity-based cap, output-based allocation and a market for trading of allowances. The design of the Shenzhen ETS attaches great importance to coordinate the dynamic relationships between economic growth, industrial transition and emissions control.

In this study, we analyze the demand for green office building features among office tenants in the United States. An online survey of a random sample of office tenants in 17 major U.S. markets is employed. Respondents provided their perspective on green buildings and their willingness-to-pay (WTP) for green features. They have the highest WTP for improved indoor air quality and access to natural light. The results show that public firms, along with those in the energy and information technology industries are most likely to pay for green-labeled buildings.