UK Government announces fall in CO2 emissions
Britain's greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by two percent, according to the latest government information released.
Emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol totalled 623.8 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent in 2008 - down from 636.6 million tonnes in 2007, according to provisional figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
Joan Ruddock, energy and climate change minister, said of the figures published last Thursday, March 26: "Once again emissions in the UK are down. It's clear that our policies will achieve more than what's required under Kyoto, but we have much more to do at home to maintain our leadership globally."
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main greenhouse gas, accounting for about 85% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2007, the latest year for which final results are available.
Provisional figures show UK net emissions of CO2 at 531.8 million tones - also two per cent lower than the 2007 number, which was 542.6 million tonnes.
The fall is the result of fuel switching from coal to natural gas for electricity generation, together with lower fossil fuel consumption by industry and road transport, the DECC said.
But environmental group Greenpeace was scornful of the figures. Robin Oakley, head of climate and energy, said: "The only reason our emissions have dropped is because we're using more gas and less coal to generate power." He added: "Overall emissions in the UK have actually risen under Labour. With a big decision approaching on the proposed (a replacement coal-fired power) plant at Kingsnorth in Kent we'll soon know just how committed ministers really are to fighting climate change. Until last year they had been rising steadily because of increased coal burning. It's been so bad that Government has had to abandon its own 2010 target for CO2 cuts because it knows it has failed to do enough to meet it."
The basket of gases also includes methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride.
They are all weighted by their global warming potential (GWP), which is defined as their warming influence relative to that of carbon dioxide.
The final estimates of UK greenhouse gas emissions for 2008 will be published early next year (2010) but the DECC says most provisional figures are within a per cent of the final figure.
The UK has both international and domestic targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including those under the Kyoto Protocol, a domestic CO2 goal and targets outlined in the UK Climate Change Act.
Ms Ruddock said: "Our Climate Change Act is a world first, it will bind this and future governments to increasingly ambitious carbon budgets, the first three of which will be set out alongside the budget next month. Everyone will have a part to play, from government and businesses down to each of us in our homes."
Carbon dioxide equivalent is a measure for describing how much global warming a greenhouse gas may cause using the equivalent amount or concentration of carbon dioxide.
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British are "bored" with Climate Change
A new energy report suggests that British people are less environmentally conscious than they were five years ago.
4 out of 10 britons take no action at all to reduce their household carbon emissions, and twice as many people are now "bored" by talk of climate change as in 2005. Experts warn that green fatigue is one of the major reasons as to why there are more cars on the roads, more planes in the sky and no reductions in the mountain of packaging waste. The report reveals that too few people are making an effort to reduce their household CO2 emissions and environmentalists believe the recession is further undermining public commitment.
The report, by market researchers Mintel, shows that many of Britain's 26 million homes fail to make simple adjustments such as switching off lights, turning down thermostats, and switching off appliances rather than leaving them on standby. The findings also reveal that people are less willing to spend money on energy-efficient appliances than they were five years ago. Analysts believe the recession together with a backlash against "extreme" environmentalist pressure has reduced people's enthusiasm to combat climate change.
The report also found that resistance to saving the planet was greater among men; one in four said they think there is too much concern over the environment, compared with one in six women.
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More information on the 2016 definition of "Zero Carbon".
Housing Minister, Grant Shapps announced additional information about the new definition of "Zero Carbon".
The Government plans to investigate setting up a community energy fund which will be used to pay for district heating and renewable energy schemes.
Developers who pay into the fund will not have to install onsite renewables or microgeneration equipment. Many developers have welcomed the flexibility of paying into a fund rather than grappling with renewables on each site.
However, the full definition of 'zero-carbon' has once again been delayed. This is despite a pre-election promise to get the definition of zero carbon finalised “within weeks” of getting into office.
The new Government Housing Minister has recently announced that the coalition will review the level of on-site renewables required - before publishing the final definition of the standard, which all new homes will have to reach after 2016.
In the announcement, the Minister also re-affirmed his commitment to all new homes being zero-carbon from 2016 and confirmed the introduction of the ‘Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard' which requires a minimum standard in relation to insulation levels and air tightness and thermal bridging in buildings.
Zero carbon is required of all Code for Sustainable Homes level six homes. Clarification of what zero carbon will mean is still to be decided.
If you require assistance with your Code for Sustainable Homes level requirements, contact Ecowise - we are a fully accredited Code for Sustainable Homes assessment organisation.
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Pilot Tidal Energy Scheme for North Wales Coast
Conwy County Borough Council has backed plans for a pilot tidal energy scheme off the North Wales Coast.
The £150 million scheme at Llanddulas in North Wales would provide a testing facility for turbine designers and manufacturers, and assess the environmental impact of turbines.
The project was given approval by the council as part of a strategic regeneration strategy for the Conwy coast, prepared by consultant Capita Symonds.
Paul Terry, Capita Symonds, said: "Tidal power will play a key role in providing a sustainable energy source for future generations. The North Wales coast is an ideal place for such a scheme as it’s blessed with a good tidal range and suitable ocean depth." He added that the project could also help protect the coast from rising sea levels, storm surges and coastal erosion.
The regeneration strategy also calls for seven new visitor centres costing £30m should be built at key locations stretching from Conwy to Rhuddlan. But North Wales Tourism chairman Chris Jackson raised doubts over whether the proposals could realistically be funded in the current economic climate. The council’s approval now means that Capita Symonds will seek funding for feasibility studies and investigations to develop a business case for the scheme.
