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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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.
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Micro-generation forms key part of Government's vision.
Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, has launched a consultation on the Government's strategy to boost energy self-sufficiency in communities.
The public debate about microgeneration will look at ways to ensure the quality of generating technology and its installation, how to improve available products, and how to develop the microgeneration supply chain while providing more accessible advice.
The consultation follows last week's news that the Government is to overturn a ban on councils selling "green" electricity back to the national grid by the end of the year.
Mr Barker said“I want to see more homes, communities and businesses generating their own energy. We can literally bring power back to the people.Microgeneration is a key part of this vision.
“By becoming more self sufficient we can create sustainable local energy economies. People and communities can save money on their fuel bills at the same time as generating an income and cutting carbon. I want to work with industry to overcome the challenges it is facing. Together we will create a marketplace for jobs and prosperity alongside products and advice which people trust.”
More information can be found on the Microgeneration Strategy consultation web page
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Green policies could hit UK manufacturing hardest.
A report from the think-tank Civitas warns that the increasing cost of energy, which has been driven up as a result of green policies could hit the UK's manufacturing sector - just as the country needs industry to help boost the economy.
The report said efforts to tackle climate change through cutting greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewable energy generation could significantly push up energy bills for business.Extra costs are put on energy from policies including the EU's emission trading scheme, the renewables obligation to boost investment in technology such as wind power, and the climate change levy which taxes energy use in businesses and the public sector. Also, the Labour Government's climate change strategy had already added an extra 14% on homeowners' electricity bills and 21% on business bills.
Last year's renewable energy strategy could have created "surcharges" of up to 70% for businesses, and 33% for domestic customers by 2020, the report from Civitas claimed. The study warns the new coalition Government's energy policy could be as damaging to manufacturing industry as the previous administration.
The review by economist Ruth Lea and Jeremy Nicholson, director of lobbyists the Energy Intensive Users Group, said the UK was badly placed to meet its commitments to boost renewables as it was starting from such a low base. Even without the extra costs imposed to pay for climate change policies, Britain has high industrial electricity prices, which threaten its competitiveness.
Ms Lea said: "The economy desperately needs a competitive and thriving manufacturing sector if it is to prosper. Competitive energy prices are vital to the success of manufacturers, especially energy intensive users.Government energy policies are, however, remorselessly driving up energy costs thus risking the 'migration' of manufacturing plants to economies where the costs are lower."
