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Should Britain increase it's speed limit if it wants to reduce CO2?

May 1, 2012 by David Thorpe
with 137 views
0

The Government is to take forward its proposal for increasing the motorway speed limit to 80 mph by trialling the new limit on selected managed motorways. Roads Minister Mike Penning said this week that his Department "is carrying out work to assess the potential economic, safety and environmental impacts of trialling 80mph speed... [read more]

Germany and UK have greatest deficit of EU carbon allowances

February 17, 2012 by David Thorpe
with 296 views
0

Figures show that the UK and Germany have the largest deficit of allowances to pollute under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS), meaning they have to purchase more to meet their obligations. [read more]

UK & France in major nuclear reactor deal

February 17, 2012 by Dan Yurman
with 341 views
0

Two French nuclear giants, EDF and Areva, and Rolls-Royce, the flagship nuclear firm in the UK, are signing deals worth {l}500 million ($791 million) to build new nuclear reactors in the UK [read more]

Edward Davey opens world’s biggest offshore windfarm

February 16, 2012 by Vicky Portwain
with 223 views
0

Edward Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, has demonstrated the coalition’s support for renewable energy in opening the world’s biggest offshore windfarm located near Walney in Cumbria. The site comprises 102 turbines, enough to power 320,000 homes, and sits alongside 60 other turbines generating off the Cumbrian... [read more]

New grid under-sea cable to connect England and Scotland

February 16, 2012 by David Thorpe
with 328 views
1

While politicians talk of Scottish independence from England, a world-beating €1.1 billion contract has today been announced to make the two countries even more interconnected. [read more]

exclusive

Should We Talk About Climate Change?

January 4, 2012 by David Lewis
with 810 views
5

David Roberts, a blogger at Grist, is challenging what he says is an evolving consensus among American "climate hawks" who say there's "nothing to be gained from talking about climate change".  These types, according to Roberts, argue that political effort aimed at climate mitigation needs to conceal itself inside debate focused on... [read more]

Predictions, Speculations, & Random Ideas for 2012

December 27, 2011 by Dan Yurman
with 1,294 views
1

Another fearless look ahead Each year this blog posts its fearless outlook for the coming year.  For 2012 I will add the caveat that while no one can predict the future, there are plenty of pointers to how things might work themselves out over time.  That's what this blog is reporting here.  Japan    A... [read more]

It’s Official – Wind Generates “Substantially” More Electricity

December 22, 2011 by Vicky Portwain
with 390 views
0

The latest Government figures on the amount of electricity generated by wind power have been welcomed by RenewableUK, the country’s largest renewable energy trade association, as proof of the increasingly significant contribution wind energy makes to UK households. Statistics for the third quarter of 2011, released by the Department of... [read more]

Why is Sustainable Biodiesel Illegal in the UK?

December 19, 2011 by David Thorpe
with 542 views
1

  The Government is currently considering the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations (Amendment) Order 2011. I have seen a copy, and I can tell you that there is plenty to be concerned about in terms of its inadequacy. But in this column I'm going to concentrate on one particular aspect: an appalling oversight which involves a... [read more]

Is The End of Durban Also The End of Kyoto?

December 9, 2011 by Shira Honig
with 269 views
1

The end of the Durban conference is approaching, and in all likelihood, the end of the Kyoto Protocol along with it.Developments in the last few days indicate the outcome is more likely to confirm a global disagreement, rather than agreement, over the idea of a second Kyoto commitment period, or “Kyoto II,” for all countries, both... [read more]

Will Britain Exceed Its Carbon Reduction Targets? Post 2

December 9, 2011 by David Thorpe
with 164 views
0

This is the second of two posts that examine the UK's claims and efforts to reduce its carbon emissions. Its conclusion: the UK must stop burning coal to win the battle to cut carbon emissions. The Government claimed last week in its Carbon Plan that it is on track to meet its carbon reduction target, but this is contradicted by other... [read more]

Will UK Will Exceed Its Carbon Reduction Targets? Part 1

December 8, 2011 by David Thorpe
with 145 views
1

This is the first of two posts about the UK's climate emissions and its plans to reduce them. This first one represents the Government's current view: David Cameron and Nick Clegg last week launched a Carbon Plan setting out the Coalition Government's policies to meet its long term commitments to cut carbon emissions. These must, by... [read more]

How To Eliminate Fuel Poverty

November 1, 2011 by David Thorpe
with 476 views
2

Thousands of lives could be saved by giving energy bill rebates to the fuel poor that are conditional on having smart meters, advice, energy audits and eco-refits.A recent report by Professor John Hills of the London School of Economics for the Government estimated that at least 2,700 people die every winter because they can’t afford... [read more]

UK Pulls PV Subsidy For Inefficient Buildings

October 28, 2011 by David Thorpe
with 191 views
0

Greg Barker has told the domestic solar industry that all new domestic PV sites from April 2012 must meet minimum energy efficiency standards.Speaking at the Solar Power UK conference yesterday in Birmingham to an audience of PV installers angry at the cut in Feed-in-Tariffs for PV that has thrown their business models onto the rubbish... [read more]

Weightman Warns Nuclear Industry To Do More Research

October 12, 2011 by David Thorpe
with 465 views
12

The post-Fukushima Weightman report into nuclear safety has been welcomed by the Government and industry as being favourable, but contains warnings to the industry.Chris Huhne has interpreted the report on the UK's nuclear power stations and facilities as giving the green light to nuclear newbuild, but critics have claimed it is "rushed... [read more]