Category Archives: Emissions
Local Authorities given go ahead to generate renewable energy
From 18th August Local Authorities across the UK will have the restrictions on generating and selling renewable energy removed, following an announcement by the Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne this week. The potential for Local Authorities to lead … Continue reading
Geoengineering the climate: science, governance and uncertainty
This morning the BES Policy Team attended the launch of the Royal Society’s new report, “Geoengineering the climate: science, governance and uncertainty”. The report is the first to provide a wide-ranging assessment of potential future geoengineering options (the large scale … Continue reading
Coal & the Question of Carbon Capture & Storage
A member of the Policy Team yesterday attended a meeting of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee to discuss the vexed question of coal-fired energy generation and ‘Carbon Capture & Storage’ (CCS). The Conservative Shadow Energy Minister, Charles Hendry, gave a … Continue reading
China is going green
China believes it can meet European targets on renewable energy by producing 20% of its energy needs through wind and solar power. Whereas Japan is aiming for 15% in the same time frame, a target that environmentalists call “appalling” yet … Continue reading
Oxford Announces International Climate Conference: 4 Degrees and Beyond
The University of Oxford is holding an International Climate Conference together with the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and the UK Met Office entitled “4 Degrees and Beyond: Implications for people, ecosystems and the earth system,” from 28-30 September … Continue reading
Experts Urge the UK to Make Greater Cuts in Carbon Emissions
Experts from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research have announced that the climate change reports used to set Britain’s first carbon budget is “naïvely optimistic”. They have warned that the advised target to cut UK carbon emissions 34% by … Continue reading
Geo-engineering: not a catch-all solution to climate change
New research from scientists at the University of East Anglia suggests that large-scale geo-engineering projects are not a viable alternative to carbon reduction strategies in the fight against global warming. However, the researchers conclude that certain geo-engineering schemes could compliment … Continue reading
All Party Parliamentary Environment Group Discuss the Climate Change Act
The BES Policy Team recently attended an All Party Parliamentary Environment Group meeting at the House of Commons to discuss the Climate Change Act and the potential implications of its key provisions on economy and society in the UK. Guest … Continue reading
Government Set to Announce Heathrow Expansion
The UK Government is expected to give the go-ahead to the development of a third runway at London Heathrow later today, following delays to the announcement due to Cabinet unrest. A new 200mph rail link between London and Birmingham, with … Continue reading
Lord Smith Outlines Vision for Environment Agency
At a recent meeting in the House of Commons, Chairman of the Environment Agency (EA) Lord Chris Smith, outlined plans to improve the EA’s delivery functions throughout his tenancy as Chair. Lord Smith described the EA as an “unusual body” … Continue reading