Cutting Carbon emissions by utilising Renewable Energy
To attain net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 one of the most crucial factors is to cut emissions from generating electricity - to achieve this we need to transition to cleaner forms of energy. Due to the current heavy usage of fossil fuels like coal and gas it makes it impossible to meet the climate change goals, as they release large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. We have already began the long transition away from fossil fuels to produce electricit

COP26: US and EU announce global pledge to slash methane
A partnership between the US and EU has been announced in the hope of slashing the greenhouse gases caused by methane before 2030. This partnership was publicised at the COP26 by EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and US President Joe Biden. The goals of the Global Methane Pledge is to restrict methane emissions by 30% contrasting 2020 levels. Amongst global warming caused by human actions, methane is accountable for a third of the total emissions while also being one o

COP26: UK firms forced to show how they will hit net zero
The Treasury have proposed new rules under which many of the large firms and financial institutes will be mandated to explain how they will archive the UKs climate goals of becoming net-zero by 2050. The UK has given them until 2023 to set out detailed public plans to transition to a low-carbon future. While an expert panel will be used as oversight to ensure this is not used as advertising and will accomplish the climate goals. The numerous green groups are unsatisfied as an

Climate change: What are the big polluters doing to cut carbon emissions?
The European Union (including the UK) along with China, United States, India and Russia are accountable for the majority of the worlds emissions of carbon dioxide(CO2), being the most common greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. All five countries signed up to the Paris agreement in 2015 to combat emissions and halt the rise of the global temperature. Carbon neutrality indicates total carbon emissions with measures to absorb it from the atmosphere such as planting tr

COP26: World leaders meet for climate summit
Representatives from over 200 countries are currently meeting to discuss climate change and how to reduce emissions by 2030. As the world warms from fossil fuel emissions caused by humans, immediate action is needed. The key is a collective agreement on how to meet this goal. In Paris 2015, more than 200 countries agreed to make changes to keep global warming below 20C above pre-industrial levels. Nevertheless, since then numerous extreme weather phenomenons have intensified

TIME TO TEST GOVERNMENT’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY COMMITMENT
– EMISSIONS REDUCTION PLAN IS A PIVOTAL MOMENT – THREE STEPS TO CHECK AMBITION – COST-EFFECTIVE OPTIONS AVAILABLE The Government is due to publish its Emissions Reduction Plan in the next few months. It aims to set the framework for emissions targets and our carbon budgets, while stimulating low-carbon growth. The background to the plan is that the Government recognises that – without additional policy measures – we will soon be very off-track in progress towards our national

COMMUNITY ENERGY SUCCESS IN SOUTH WALES
Good news from Swansea, where Swansea Community Energy and Enterprise, or SCEES for short, is enjoying a very successful community share offer for a new solar PV scheme based in deprived parts of the city. As well as bringing clean energy to local community buildings, providing jobs and training is at the centre of thinking behind the plans. At the time of writing, the scheme had raised £380,000 – 89 percent of its target – so when you read this, it will probably have reached

ENERGY AND CLIMATE POLICIES: GETTING THE BEST FROM BREXIT
ENERGY AND CLIMATE POLICY POST-BREXIT UNDER SPOTLIGHT
• MPS HEAR FROM ENERGY SAVING TRUST CEO
• FUNDING AND AMBITION KEY OUTSIDE EU Last week, a range of experts gave their views on what should be the energy and climate priorities in forthcoming Brexit negotiations. Among those presenting to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) select committee was Energy Saving Trust chief executive, Philip Sellwood (pictured), who laid out the risks and opportunities arou

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT NEEDED TO UNLOCK BILLIONS IN GREEN BUSINESS, SAYS INDUSTRY
The UK could be a green business powerhouse in the next three decades, but only if given proper support by government, a group representing more than 30 low-carbon companies has said. The low-carbon economy in the UK employs at least 432,000 people, with a turnover of more than £77bn in 2015. This is larger than industries such as car-making and steelmaking, which are frequently given the spotlight when politicians discuss industry and jobs. Growth in green business is also e

CONSUMPTION DOWN, RENEWABLES UP – BUT CAN ENERGY PROGRESS BE SUSTAINED?
– ENERGY EFFICIENCY, RENEWABLES - CHECKED EMISSIONS – PROGRESS IN COMING YEARS NOT GUARANTEED – MORE AMBITION AND INVESTMENT NEEDED Despite some political uncertainties, there have been some distinctly positive recent points of note for the clean energy sector. Firstly, global CO2 emissions have not grown in the last three years, even though economies have. Energy efficiency and renewables are clearly making an impact, but the International Energy Agency (IEA), which publishe
