History of architecture; transformation of the basilica 'type' form Essay

History of architecture; transformation of the basilica 'type' form from the Imperial Roman use to the use by the (Western) Catholic Church - Essay Example The structures of these buildings were designed for varying use with a consistency for certain characteristics, and a new form of decoration and building evolved. The new construction in Rome like Saint Peters, Saint John in Lateran and Saint Pauls Outside the Walls deviated from the Roman baths that used massive engineering made of brick and concrete and from the classical and simple form of temple, to colonnades circling a cella or chamber. The new construction adopted elements from traditional market places, military and riding halls and judiciary building where the interior colonnade separates the space into a major longitudinal space and aisles. These elements were employed in an innovative way to form a religious gathering hall with a better ground plan and varying interior and exterior effects to house new functions according to the evolving liturgy of the Christian church. Saint Peters Basilica has the characteristics of this form of planning and structure. Since the Basilica is situated adjacent to a hill, the way to entrance gate is connected with a monumental stairway. The Basilica has a large atrium or colonnaded court with a purification facility from a fountain. The church is a five aisled basilica with colonnades separating two aisles. The longitudinal space leads to a broad arch opening to a transverse space called the transept. An elevated sanctuary or bema is constructed after the transept and the high alter is situated on the bema in an apse or semicircular area. Saint Peters basilica is covered using a timber roof. The basilica also has sloping roof above the aisle with a gabled roof above the nave (Calkins p.10). The spatial logics of the basilica permits only partial view of the ceremony. The ruler or emperor was the only layman allowed to enter the sanctuary. The participation of the emperor along with the clergy in the liturgical function by

The Purpose of Repairing the Criminal Justice System Essay

The Purpose of Repairing the Criminal Justice System - Essay Example The practical implication is that when a punishment is given to an offender by a court of law in a criminal case, it does not benefit the victim any way. The victim does not know how to undo the harm done to him / her. The criminal justice system being implemented in all countries stresses on punishment to offenders with a view of ending crimes and reducing crime rate. The system obviously believes that sentencing offenders to imprisonment would help reduce crime rate in the society. The argument certainly seems logical on the face of it but analysts find it hard to buy. Researchers argue that the evidence supporting this logic looks ambiguous by pointing out that crime rates are guided by factors of unemployment, evils of illegal drugs and guns, lack of proper police planning, immigration and housing problems etc (Krisberg). In Krisberg’s view, punishment alone would not reduce crime rate. While the failure of the factor of punishment in reducing the crime rate could be one of the reasons seeking to repair the criminal justice system, the purpose of such a repair would be really varied. More than achieving reduction in crime rate, the main purpose of repairing the system lies in the objective of undoing the harm done to a victim. In fact, the repair of the criminal justice system should be undertaken lock, stock and barrel in order to transform it from retribution into restoration. Turning it into a restorative one should be the main purpose of repairing the criminal justice system. In a system of justice governed by restitution, more concentration is placed on healing the wounds of victims rather than on punishing the offender. Wray vehemently argues in an internet article that this type of justice demands conciliation between an offender and his / her victim through a friendly encounter which could be a source for healing the latter’s wounds. On the other

The Power of Love Essay Example for Free

The Power of Love Essay â€Å"The Lady with the Pet Dog† are both stories of two unhappy pair of people who find love through unexpected extra-marital affairs. In both stories, the lovers are not seeking to have an affair, but meet randomly while on vacation without their spouses. The characters all share a sense of unhappiness in their marriages, but find in their lovers’ eyes an acceptance leading to self-discovery and fulfillment. Because of the bond formed between the lovers each comes to the realization that life must include the other, for only in the relationship are they made whole and able to find their reason to live. Chekhov and Oates’ short stories share a common theme that true love is a random, transformative event which brings about a feeling of acceptance and completion that serves to give a purpose and meaning to life. Similarly, each story’s pair of characters meet based on chance and proximity. In Chekhov’s story, Dmitri first notices â€Å"a young woman†¦ walking along the embankment; behind her ran a white spitz† (266). In Oates’ story Anna relates the first sight of her lover: â€Å"A man †¦ approaching her†¦[a] small †¦ golden dog, bound[ing] near † (981). These brief introductions lead to the characters interacting; each couple aided by the dog found in the title, allowing an entry into conversation. In Chekhov’s story, â€Å"The lady sat down at the next table, three steps away from him†¦ [he] gently called the spitz, and when the dog came over, he shook his finger at it† (267). This was the opportunity for Dmitri to meet his lover, Anna S.. In Oates’ story, Anna finds â€Å"her soul strained to fly outward, to meet with another person,† so she, â€Å"tied her hair back†¦ and went down to the beach†¦[where] the man glanced around at her †¦ [and] smiled† (981). Unlike Chekhov, Oates does not allow her male character to be called by name, allowing the female narrator, Anna, to have her emotions and uncertainty dominant. In both stories the narrative relates how the principle characters, though opposite in gender, are intrigued by their chance encounters and pursue their new acquaintances. In Chekhov’s story, â€Å"after dinner they walked off together – and a light, bantering conversation began†¦ Afterwards, in his hotel room, he [Dmitri] thought about her, that tomorrow she would probably meet him again. † In Oates’ story, Anna â€Å"spent the rest of the day reading†¦She thought again of the man on the beach. She lay the book aside and thought of him: his eyes, his aloneness, his drawings of her. They began seeing each other after that. † Both stories consummate the relationships. In Chekhov’s story, Dmitri found his chance: â€Å"he looked at her intently and suddenly embraced her and kissed her on the lips†¦ Let’s go to your place †¦Ã¢â‚¬  he said softly. In Oates’ story, Anna takes the initiative: â€Å"she heard herself asking if he would like to come in. She allowed him to lead her inside, to close the door. † After they have made love, and after a period of silence and reflection, both female characters begin to feel the weight of their actions. For Chekhov’s Anna, ten years younger at age 20 than Oates’ Anna, she had â€Å"a feeling of awkwardness, and an impression of bewilderment, as if someone had suddenly knocked at the door†¦ the ‘lady with the little dog,’ somehow took a special, very serious attitude towards what had happened, as if it were her fall. † Oates’ older Anna, impulsively questions her lover, â€Å"Do you †¦ do you love me? † And her lover answers, â€Å"You’re so beautiful† (983). Having felt so alone before, so uncertain, Oates’ Anna absorbs this adoration and â€Å"this beauty, shy and glowing and centered in her eyes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (983). Later, like Chekhov’s Anna, Oates’ Anna also â€Å"felt a strange, idle fear, a sense of the danger that would not recognize her as the lady in the drawing, the lady with the pet dog. There was nothing to say to this man, this stranger,† and, â€Å"[t]his is the end of one part of my life† (984). Chekhov’s Anna also tearfully felt: â€Å"I’m a bad, low woman, I despise myself and am not even thinking of any justification†¦ I swear to God that I couldn’t control myself any longer, something was happening to me, I couldn’t restrain myself† (269). Oates’ Anna was also scared but â€Å"it seemed to her necessary to give in; she had to leave Nantucket with that act completed, an act of adultery, an accomplishment she would take back to Ohio and to her marriage† (983). Though each pair did not look for an adulterous relationship, each pair found just that. After the initial romantic attraction and feelings of loneliness were satisfied through passion, each set of lovers still felt the relationships were temporary and meant to end. After hearing from her husband, Chekhov’s Anna declares â€Å"It’s good that I am leaving †¦ [it’s] fate itself† (270). Oates’ Anna believes: â€Å"Now something will happen. It will come to an end† (984). Even Dmitri thought â€Å"[a] month would pass and Anna †¦ [will] be covered by mist in his memory† (272). In contrast to Chekhov’s story, Oates’ lovers do not part easily. In their last drive together, Anna’s thoughts varied from believing her lover would be relieved when he left her to the thought that â€Å"this man was her savior, that he [has] come to her at a time in her life when her life demanded completion† (977). Oates’ Anna is undecided, clinging, yet pushing her lover away. She put a hand on his arm, a claim. He turned to her and smiled and she felt that she loved him,† but, â€Å"at the same time she understood †¦ she would leave him soon, safely, and within a few days he would have fallen into the past †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (977). No matter what their plans, the affairs’ end doesn’t come easily to any of the lovers. Their minds continue to be filled with memories of their love. Each male character travels to see their lovers again, going to a public theatre and concert respectively. Chekhov’s Dmitri realizes when he sees Anna S. hat she has changed him, â€Å"when [he] looked at her, his heart was wrung, and he realized more clearly that there was now no person closer, dearer, or more important for him in the whole world; this small woman†¦ now filled his whole life, was his grief, his joy, the only happiness he now wished for himself† (274). Chekhov’s Anna also confesses â€Å"I think only of you [Dmitri] all the time, I’ve lived by my thoughts of you† (275). Oates’ characters are not as verbally expressive, but their actions convey their inability to separate, â€Å"she went to him at his hotel. She wept, pressing against him, demanding of him, ‘What do you want? Why are you here? ’† (985). â€Å"I want to talk about last August,† he replied and â€Å"they became lovers again† (985). With these declarations and actions the lovers’ bonds of attraction begin to evolve into deeper, intimate unions forged by compatible needs which their respective spouses cannot understand or satisfy: the characters are finding true love for the first time. After realizing their love, the principle narrators also find within themselves a feeling of acceptance, and fulfillment with their new relationships. In â€Å"The Lady with the Little Dog,† Dmitri determined that â€Å"by some strange coincidence, perhaps an accidental one, everything that he found important, interesting, necessary, in which he was sincere and did not deceive himself, which constituted the core of his life, occurred in secret† (276). His relationship with Anna fulfilled him in a way that his overt life could not. â€Å"For him it was obvious that this love of theirs would not end soon †¦ at that moment he saw himself in the mirror† (276). The mirror functions in both stories as the catalyst for the narrator’s awareness of their fulfillment in the newly forged relationship. In the mirror Dmitri sees his gray hair but â€Å"only now, when his hair was gray, had he really fallen in love as one ought to—for the first time in his life† (277). For Oates’ Anna, as she again prepared to leave her lover, â€Å"she happened to catch sight of his reflection in the bureau mirror †¦ preparing also to leave†¦ and she realized that he existed in a dimension quite apart from her †¦ she felt a miraculous calm. This man was her husband truly †¦ they [have] been married haphazardly and accidentally for a long time†¦ she [loves him] above any other person in the world, above even her own self-pitying sorrow and her own life† (987). With the principle characters’ discovery that their love affair was now their primary relationship, giving them emotional security and a fulfilling sense of completion, they also realize that their lives have changed direction. Oates’ Anna concludes that her lover is â€Å"her destiny. And she does not hate him, she [does] not hate herself any longer; she [does] not wish to die; she [is] flooded with †¦ certainty. Anna realizes, a â€Å"gratitude, [and] pure selfless energy †¦ she [knows she has] been behaving correctly; out of instinct† (987). Oates’ Anna concludes love is her â€Å"triumph,† overcoming unhappiness with a new â€Å"beginning† (987). Chekhov’s Dmitri changes his goal from one of secrecy and stolen moments to thoughts of â€Å"how they could free themselves †¦ it seem[s] that †¦ the solution [will] be found, and then a new beautiful life [will] begin† (277). The short stories â€Å"The Lady with the Little Dog† by Anton Chekhov and â€Å"The Lady with the Pet Dog† by Joyce Carol Oates both tell of true love found despite the shame of marital infidelity. Though the stories unfold with opposing gender’s center of consciousness, differing chronological development, and unique expositive style and emphasis, the stories have a common theme of the redemptive and transformative power of true love.  Through similar plots, climactic scenes, and open endings, the stories reveal the two pair of lovers’ fulfillment in their first real love and their new sense of direction and desire for a fresh start with their love in the open.

A Plan for the Resolution of the Argentine Debt Crisis Essay -- Essays

A Plan for the Resolution of the Argentine Debt Crisis INTRODUCTION: Over the past five years Argentina has suffered from one of the worst economic crises of its history. Mired by currency devaluation, diminished business confidence, contracting GDP, and a large current accounts deficit, the Argentine economy is, at very best, weak. Of its problems, Argentina’s international debt is of greatest concern. Servicing the debt has created a large financial burden for the Argentine government limiting the steps it has been able to take to stimulate economic growth. Since temporarily stopping payment on US$132 billion of debt in 2001 , Argentina has experienced some economic expansion, but this growth has come with large costs. Foreign banks’ condemnation of the default has made Argentina a pariah in the international investment community. Meanwhile, the interest on the outstanding loans is compounding at an astronomical rate increasing Argentina’s debt burden significantly. Unfortunately for Argentina, encouraging international investment and reducing its debt are both essential for a sustained economic recovery. These goals will not be achieved through default, even if it is temporary, as banks are the self-imposed moral authorities on debt and investment and are likely to make Argentina pay a high price. Instead, Argentina must cleverly implement debt reduction mechanisms involving third-party purchase of its discounted debt. It will be the primary responsibility of Argentina’s newly elected president, Mr. Kirchner, and his administration, to stimulate the country’s feeble economy by reducing the public debt. Downsizing its debt will help Argentina to reestablish itself as a creditworthy nation and spur economic... ... and Business, . â€Å"How the debt should be canceled,† Debt & Development Coalition: Ireland, . Krueger, Anne O., â€Å"Crisis Prevention and Resolution: Lessons from Argentina,† International Monetary Fund, 17 July 2002, . MERCOSUR, 6 March 2003, . Moye, Melissa, â€Å"Overview of Debt Conversion,† London: Debt Relief International Ltd., 2001. Powell, James E., â€Å"Time Value of Money,† 1 June 2002, . Rhoter, Larry, â€Å"Argentina Struggles to Meet Debt-Relief Terms.† New York Times, 11 February 2003, . A Plan for the Resolution of the Argentine Debt Crisis Essay -- Essays A Plan for the Resolution of the Argentine Debt Crisis INTRODUCTION: Over the past five years Argentina has suffered from one of the worst economic crises of its history. Mired by currency devaluation, diminished business confidence, contracting GDP, and a large current accounts deficit, the Argentine economy is, at very best, weak. Of its problems, Argentina’s international debt is of greatest concern. Servicing the debt has created a large financial burden for the Argentine government limiting the steps it has been able to take to stimulate economic growth. Since temporarily stopping payment on US$132 billion of debt in 2001 , Argentina has experienced some economic expansion, but this growth has come with large costs. Foreign banks’ condemnation of the default has made Argentina a pariah in the international investment community. Meanwhile, the interest on the outstanding loans is compounding at an astronomical rate increasing Argentina’s debt burden significantly. Unfortunately for Argentina, encouraging international investment and reducing its debt are both essential for a sustained economic recovery. These goals will not be achieved through default, even if it is temporary, as banks are the self-imposed moral authorities on debt and investment and are likely to make Argentina pay a high price. Instead, Argentina must cleverly implement debt reduction mechanisms involving third-party purchase of its discounted debt. It will be the primary responsibility of Argentina’s newly elected president, Mr. Kirchner, and his administration, to stimulate the country’s feeble economy by reducing the public debt. Downsizing its debt will help Argentina to reestablish itself as a creditworthy nation and spur economic... ... and Business, . â€Å"How the debt should be canceled,† Debt & Development Coalition: Ireland, . Krueger, Anne O., â€Å"Crisis Prevention and Resolution: Lessons from Argentina,† International Monetary Fund, 17 July 2002, . MERCOSUR, 6 March 2003, . Moye, Melissa, â€Å"Overview of Debt Conversion,† London: Debt Relief International Ltd., 2001. Powell, James E., â€Å"Time Value of Money,† 1 June 2002, . Rhoter, Larry, â€Å"Argentina Struggles to Meet Debt-Relief Terms.† New York Times, 11 February 2003, .

Cottage Industries

Cottage industry or home industry means the manufacturing of goods at home by hands, with small capital and on a small scale by the members of a family. Cottage industries are part time or supplementary occupations. In the past cottage industries played an important role in the economy of our country. They provided employment to a large number of people. The destruction of the cottage industries is one of the main causes of poverty in our country. Ours is an age of machine and large scale industries.Yet even in the highly industrialized country like Japan and Germany, a good proportion of their industries are run in a ‘domestic' system. In India cottage industries have a more important part to play than any other country. They can help a lot in solving the problem of unemployment and poverty. For more than four months in a year, our cultivators have no work to do. Cottage industries can give the cultivator useful employment during spare time. That was why Mahatma Gandhi laid em phasis on reviving the dying cottage industries.Since Independence the country, the government too has been making all possible efforts in this direction. Cottage industries have some real and practical advantages. They make the best use of woman labour. They make the work joyful and pleasant. There is no corruption and no exploitation of the poor by the rich. In cottage Industries there is no fear of a quarrel between the labour and factory owner. In far time Cottage Industries become the vital importance. Large scale Industries provide an easy target to the enemy planes for bombing Tom the air.Their destruction may throw the whole economic structure of the country out of the gear. But if Cottage Industries are well organized, the supply of the country's needs can be maintained to large extent. Cottage Industries can successfully complete with machine made goods, if they are run on modern lines. Periodic exhibitions of the good; manufactured by Cottage Industries and development of Co-operative system are of great advantage for their progress. Co-operative system can help in solving the problems of capital, raw material and marketing then they would easily withstand the competition Large Scale factory production.

Analysis Of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlingss Novel The Yearling

A prize is defined as, â€Å"a thing given as a reward to the winner of a competition or race or in recognition of another outstanding achievement†. A prize is not given out to just anyone, especially the Pulitzer Prize, an award for an achievement in American journalism, literature, or music. With only thirteen made each year, it is a challenge to win one, but writer Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings has completed the challenge, winning a Pulitzer Prize for her novel, The Yearling, published in 1938. She won this award not only for the brilliant thoughts the book contains, but also for the way the words and sentences were crafted and woven together. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings rightfully obtained her Pulitzer Prize in part for her use of sensory details,†¦show more content†¦Along with sensory details, Rawlings’ practical use of figurative language largely helped her to win a Pulitzer Prize for her astonishing work on this novel. The figurative language used, aids in brin ging life to the story through devices such as comparisons and exaggerations. For instance, on page six, the novel reads, â€Å"The bubbling spring would rise forever from the earth, the thin current was endless†. The spring cannot rise forever and the thin current can end. Here, the author uses hyperboles to exaggerate the details, and to show the importance of the ideas.Another instance, is on page two hundred and twenty four when the sound of the air is brought up, â€Å"A great roaring sounded in the distance. All the bears in the scrub, meeting at the river, might make such a roaring†. This description uses a simile, comparing the wind roaring to the sound of a group of bears. This allows a better awareness of the degree of the noise. Rawling could have said the wind roared but by adding the detail, she creates more depth in her portrayal of Jody’s experiences. On page two hundred and twenty four there is another example of figurative language, where perso nification being used, â€Å"In the night, a gust of wind moved through and slammed both doors†. This is very helpful in Rawlings creating a great piece of work because it breathes life into the wind and in that moment gives the

Energy Climate Greenhouse - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 8 Words: 2497 Downloads: 3 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Statistics Essay Did you like this example? 2 Directives Legislation driving Energy Efficiency 2.1Introduction Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Energy Climate Greenhouse" essay for you Create order The debate is ongoing, but there is now overwhelming scientific evidence that mans activities are causing significant climate change. Climate change has the potential to affect all aspects of life on earth and will have major detrimental social, economic and environmental impacts. The best response to these challenging issues is to change. Change the way we think. Change the way we act. (Get source) 2.2Background to Directives for Climate Change The International climate change agenda containing the Directives and Legislation that drives for energy efficiency began in 1992 with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The objectives of the UNFCCC were to: stabilise the atmospheric greenhouse gases at a level that would prevent dangerous interference with the climatic system, to be achieved in a time frame to ensure food production is not threatened and to enable economic development proceeds in a sustainable manner. The UNFCCC is the parent treaty of the Kyoto Protocol (1997) which was developed to implement the UNFCCC effectively and properly. (www.euroace.org/reports) Irelands relation to the Kyoto Protocol is outlined in the subsequent sub-chapter. In December 2007, the latest climate change conference took place in Bali, Indonesia and it included representatives of over 180 countries. The two week period included the sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, as well as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. The Bali Roadmap was adopted from the conference which charts the course for a new negotiating process to be concluded by 2009 that will lead to a post 2012 international agreement on climate change. The next meeting of the parties to the climate change convention is scheduled to take place on December 2008 in Poland. After the Kyoto Protocol was established, Europe needed to take action to succeed in cutting its greenhouse gas emissions to 8% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012, as required by the Kyoto Protocol. This action was taken by launching the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) in June 2000 which was then ratified in October 2005. The main goal of the ECCP was to develop all of the necessary elements of an EU strategy to implement the Kyoto Protocol. From this European Climate Change Programme, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD 2003) was developed. This is explained in chapter 2.4 of this text. (www.euroace.org/reports) In order for Ireland to meet its Kyoto target of limiting the increase of greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above 1990 levels by 2008-2012, a National Climate Change Strategy was implemented. 2.3Ireland and the Kyoto Protocol The Kyoto Protocol was adopted to tackle the threat of climate change. It contains legally binding greenhouse gas emission targets for developed countries for the post 2000 period. The Protocol promises to move the international community one step closer to achieving the Conventions (UNFCCC) ultimate objective of preventing man-made interference with the climate system. As a first step towards tackling the threat of climate change, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) required developed countries to put in place policies and measures with objectives of returning emissions of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by the end of the decade. However, in recognition of the need to take more substantial and urgent action, industrialised or developed countries committed to reduce their combined emissions of greenhouse gases by at least 5% compared to 1990 levels by the first commitment period 2008-2012. The protocol came into force on 16 February 2005. As of November 2007, 174 parties have ratified the protocol. Of these, 36 developed countries are required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the levels specified for each of them in the treaty. The EU has an overall reduction target of 8% below 1990 levels and has agreed a burden sharing agreement that recognises the different economic circumstances of each member state. Irelands target is to limit the increase in its greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol to 13% above 1990 levels by 2008-2012. To date Ireland has struggled to get on target and at this stage looks unlikely to meet the 13% figure. With the help of the National Climate Change Strategy and the Protocol flexible mechanisms, this target may yet be achieved. The National Climate Change Strategy 2007- 2012 provides the national policy framework for addressing greenhouse gas emission reductions and ensuring that Ireland meets its target for the purpose of the Kyoto Protocol. Ireland may achieve their individual targets through domestic actions and use of flexible mechanisms provided for in the Protocol. The Government has decided that it will use the Kyoto Protocol flexible mechanisms to purchase up to 3.607 million Kyoto Units in each year of the 2008-2012 period. (www.environ.ie) 2.3.1Kyoto Protocol Flexible Mechanisms / Emissions Trading An important part of the Kyoto Protocol was the introduction of three flexible mechanisms to reduce the costs of achieving emission reductions for the member states with emission reduction or limitation targets. The mechanisms enable Parties to purchase Kyoto Units from other Parties or to invest in cost-effective opportunities to reduce emissions. While the cost of reducing emissions varies considerably between projects and between countries, the effect for the atmosphere of limiting emissions is the same no matter where the action occurs. The three mechanisms are outlined below: Joint Implementation (JI) This is provided for under Article 6 of the Protocol, and enables Parties with reduction commitments to implement projects that reduce emissions in other member states with reduction commitments, in return for credits. The tradable unit under the JI mechanism is an Emissions Reductions Unit (ERU). Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) This is provided for under Article 12 of the protocol and enables Parties with targets to participate in projects that reduce emissions in those Parties that do not have targets under the protocol. This mechanism is aimed at developing countries. Credits generated using the CDM mechanism can be used by the investing Party for compliance purposes. The tradable unit under the CDM mechanism is a Certified Emissions Reduction (CER). International Emissions Trading This is provided under Article 17 of the Kyoto Protocol and enables Parties or member states that have a greenhouse gas emissions limitation or reduction target under the Protocol to acquire Kyoto Units from those Parties that have reduced their emissions beyond their target under the Protocol. The tradable unit under emissions trading is an Assigned Amount Unit (AAU). The National Treasury Management Agency is the designated purchasing agent for Ireland and will administer and manage purchases of Kyoto Units on behalf of the Government. A dedicated Carbon Fund has been established for this purpose. All purchases will be made in accordance with the following objectives: That they contribute to the ultimate objective of the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change That risk is minimised, particularly in relation to the timely delivery of credits That they represent good value for money The National Treasury Management Agency will use the following mechanisms to purchase Kyoto Units: Direct purchase of Kyoto Units from other Kyoto Protocol member states Direct investment in joint implementation and clean development project activities Direct market purchases of Kyoto Units Any surplus Kyoto Units held by the State at the end of the 2008-2012 commitment period can be banked and used in a subsequent commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol or any successor treaty. (National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government) Below is a graph illustrating the total greenhouse gas emissions for all sectors of all the member states up to 2005. As we can see, Ireland is somewhat off reaching its Kyoto target. 2.4The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 2.4.1Introduction Energy performance demands in the building sector within the EU range from rather demanding energy regulations and already established energy certification schemes in countries like Denmark and Germany, to the situation in countries like France and Spain with low regulation demands and without certification processes established at national level (Casal, 2006). EU legislation and policies, implemented through the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD), aim to provide a more uniform approach to implementing building energy saving measures and reaching Co2 emission goals. Each member state is required to translate and implement the policies and guidelines within the context of its legal and economic framework. The EPBD was enacted by the European Union in line with the Kyoto Protocol to: reduce European building energy consumption by 10 per cent by 2010 and 20 per cent by 2020; complete energy ratings of 2 million existing buildings by 2010; and cut Co2 emissions by 45 million tonnes by 2010 (Casal, 2006). The directive is the first move to target buildings specifically to reduce emissions and overall energy consumption in the construction sector. 2.4.2Overview of the EPBD The EPBD is a legislative act of the European Union which requires member states to achieve particular results with respect to the energy performance of buildings. The directive 2002/91/EC (EPBD, 2003) of the European Parliament and Council on energy efficiency of buildings was adopted by member states and the European Parliament on 16th December 2002 and came into force on 4th January 2003. This directive is a very important legislative component of energy efficiency activities of the European Union designed to meet the Kyoto commitment. The directive concerns a large number of participants on all levels with different impacts and different motivations: designers, housing associations, architects, providers of building appliances, installation companies, building experts, owners, and tenants effectively all energy consumers in the European Union. It will greatly affect awareness of energy use in buildings, and is intended to lead to substantial increases in investments in energy efficiency measures within these buildings. The EPBD has created a great challenge for the transformation of the European building sector towards energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy resources. The 4th of January 2006 was the official deadline by which the 25 member states had to transpose the directive. 2.4.3Objectives and Requirements of EPBD The objective of the EPBD is to improve the energy performance of buildings within the community, taking into account outdoor climate conditions as well as indoor climate requirements and cost effectiveness. The directive lays down requirements regarding: The framework for a methodology of calculation of the integrated energy performance of buildings The application of minimum requirements on the energy performance of new buildings The application of minimum requirements on the energy performance of large existing buildings that are subject to major renovation The energy performance certification of buildings The regular inspection of boilers, an assessment of the heating installation in which the boilers are more than 15 years old and an inspection of air conditioning systems in buildings The requirements for experts and inspectors for the certification of buildings, the drafting of the accompanying recommendations and the inspection of boilers and air conditioning systems. The requirements of each member state are set out in the EPBD under different articles. (EPBD, 2002) 2.4.4Summary of Articles 2.4.4.1Adoption of a methodology Each member state is required to have a method of calculating the energy performance of buildings. This calculation method can be set at a national or a regional level. This is an extract of the directive on article 3: Member States shall apply a methodology, at national or regional level, of calculation of the energy performance of buildings on the basis of the general framework set out in the Annex. Parts 1 and 2 of this framework shall be adapted to technical progress in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 14(2), taking into account standards or norms applied in member state legislation. This methodology shall be set at national or regional level. The energy performance of a building shall be expressed in a transparent manner and may include a CO2 emission indicator (EPBD, 2002) 2.4.4.2Setting of energy performance requirements These minimum requirements shall be reviewed every five years. Some categories of buildings may be exempted from the requirements. These include: Protected buildings and monuments Buildings used as places of worship Temporary buildings Residential buildings intended to be used for less than 4 months of the year Stand alone buildings with a total useful floor area of less than 50m 2.4.4.3 Setting of energy performance requirements for new buildings Each member state will set minimum energy performance requirements for new buildings. For large new buildings with a floor area of over 1000m member states should consider alternative energy systems before construction starts. These include: Decentralised energy supply systems based on renewable energy CHP (combined heat and power) District or block heating or cooling, if available Heat pumps, under certain conditions The consideration of the alternative energy systems should take technical, environmental and economic feasibility into account. 2.4.4.4 Setting of energy performance requirements for existing buildings Each member state will ensure that when buildings over 1000m undergo major renovation that their energy performance is upgraded to meet minimum requirements. The minimum standards may be applied to the whole building or limited to the renovated part. 2.4.4.5 Energy performance certificate Each member state must ensure that when a building is constructed that an energy performance certificate is made available to the owner. When a building is sold or rented out an energy performance certificate must be made available to the prospective buyer or tenant. The certificate is valid for 10 years. For buildings over 1000m occupied by public authorities, an energy certificate must be placed in a prominent place clearly visible to the public. 2.4.4.6 Independent experts Member States shall ensure that the certificate of buildings, the drafting of the accompanying recommendations and the inspection of boilers and air-conditioning systems are carried out in an independent manner by qualified or accredited experts, whether operating as sole traders or employed by public or private enterprise bodies. (EPBD, 2002) Implementing EPBD in Ireland 2.5.1Building Control Act 2007 The Building Control Act provides for the legal transposition of the EUs Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) into Irish law. This will lead to energy efficiency becoming an important aspect of design concern for all buildings, both residential and non-residential. It is essential that the general public and companies involved in the industry understand the impact of the directive on residential and commercial property in Ireland. The Act requires that there will have to be mandatory building energy rating (BER) certificates for some buildings. This means that when a building is constructed, sold or rented out, the owner must provide a BER certificate to the prospective buyer or tenant. The BER will be accompanied by an advisory report setting out recommendations for cost-effective improvements to the energy performance of the building. This is further explained in chapter 3. The successful implementation of the directive will require that systems are in place to guarantee the day-to-day delivery of assessment and inspection services by qualified people in a way that is consistent, practical and cost efficient, and with acceptable response times that maintain levels of service in the construction and property markets. (www.lkshields.ie/htmdocs/publications/newsletters) www.sei.ie www.epbd.ie https://www.euroace.org/reports/CIBSE_EUBD.pdf Casal, X.G. (2006), Analysis of building energy regulation and certification in Europe: their role, limitations and differences, Energy and Buildings, Vol. 38 No.5, pp.381-92 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2002