EU poll finds householders out of touch on waste

Almost 60% of EU residents do not think their household produces too much waste, according to a survey published today. But this is in stark contrast to statistics that show Europeans throw away on average more than half a tonne of rubbish every year. Today’s European Union-backed survey gauged perceptions, attitudes and practices of EU […]

London retrofit scheme gets £2m cash boost

Hundreds of London’s public buildings such as fire stations and hospitals will get an energy makeover following a £2.7m boost for the capital’s RE:FIT climate change programme. RE:FIT is Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s scheme to help public organisations give their buildings an energy overhaul and includes fitting solar panels, insulation and smart meters. The […]

Westminster slammed for Welsh energy policies

Wales is being “stripped bare of its natural resources for the benefit of England’s power needs”, according to Plaid Cymru. The party’s Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd told the Plaid Cymru spring conference that ownership of Wales’ maritime renewable power resources is essential to the nation’s economic future. “The need to devolve power over our maritime […]

Nuclear becomes Scottish election battle

Nuclear power looks set to play a vote-swinging role in the Scottish elections in May following the Japanese reactor accidents. This week the Scottish Labour Party will launch its manifesto which will include a return to nuclear as an energy source. Currently there is a ban in Scotland on the building of new nuclear stations, […]

Cranfield gets £15m research boost

Cranfield University has been given £15m by the government to set up three new centres for innovative manufacturing and take part in a further two. These centres will focus on emerging science including low carbon technologies. The initiative was unveiled by Universities and Science Minister David Willetts, who said: “Partnerships between higher education and industry […]

Former chancellor in climate change row

Former chancellor Nigel Lawson, now Lord Lawson, is said to have infuriated the government’s chief scientific adviser over climate change claims in a book. Lord Lawson, who is chair of climate change-sceptic group Global Warming Policy Foundation, wrote An Appeal to Reason: A Cool Look at Global Warming. In it he argues that there has […]

London listing for Russian electricity giant

The operator of Russia’s electricity grid today listed on the London Stock Exchange, making it the largest publicly traded electricity transmission company in the world. Federal Grid manages over 121,000 km of transmission lines and around 800 substations. Its biggest shareholder is the Russian government, with a 79.48% stake. Chairman of Federal Grid’s management board, […]

UK sends first green trade delegation to US

Climate Change Minister Greg Barker will today lead the UK’s first green trade mission to the US. Wind turbine installers, a brewery and an insurance company will be among six companies joining Mr Barker on the five day trip, which will visit Washington, Philadelphia, Charlotte in North Carolina and Columbia in South Carolina. Mr Barker […]

Oil firms to fund Fair Fuel Stabiliser

Perhaps the biggest surprise of today’s Budget was that the government is to make oil companies pay for a new fuel stabiliser when prices are high. And this has been branded a “huge blow to the oil industry” by international consultants KPMG. The Fair Fuel Stabiliser, which motorists, campaigners and many in Parliament have been […]

Budget: Osborne has missed green opportunities says REA

The Renewable Energy Association says today’s Budget has failed to seize green growth opportunities. Chief executive Gaynor Hartnell said there was “nothing really significant in theBudget to alleviate growing anxiety about the pace of delivery across the UK renewables industry”. She added: “Renewables presents such a growth opportunity, it’s a shame not to see Britain […]