UK Highlights – Queen’s Speech, Barrages and Butterflies
The Green Investment Bank, electricity market reform and proposals for the water industry all made it into the Queen’s Speech on May 9, and environmental groups and business leaders are pressing for further details on Government plans. A proposed tidal barrage across the Severn estuary, the Government’s commitment to green growth and the UK’s springtime weather has also made the headlines.
UK highlights – Clean Energy Ministerial
Energy Ministers from 23 of the world’s leading economies gathered together in London last week for the third Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM3) to help accelerate the transition to clean energy technologies. A joint press release was released from Energy Ministers outlining commitments made on energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy access, and other cross-cutting initiatives. Under pressure from green groups, UK Government Ministers were keen to demonstrate their renewed commitment to be the “greenest government ever” and give a clear vision to investors in renewable energy.
UK highlights – clean energy, green growth and climate science
London is set to host the Clean Energy Ministerial amid debate in UK politics over the direction of green policy and the cost of environmental measures to families and businesses. The Coalition Government has made announcements on fracking, investment in climate science, the green deal and EU emissions targets, and MPs have called on the government for greater clarity on the “outsourcing” of carbon emissions abroad.
UK Highlights – Easter eggs, airports and health reform
With Parliament breaking for Easter Recess, politicians have been busy stoking up the debate on airport capacity in the South East, turning the spotlight on wasteful Easter egg packaging, and discussing ways to better engage the public on climate change. Ministers have launched a new Carbon Capture and Storage competition, a new energy saving advice line and set out plans to cut emissions from heat. After the twists and turns of NHS Reform debate, the Health and Social Care Bill has finally received Royal Assent and the Prime Minister has launched a challenge to tackle the “crisis” in dementia care.
Great Lakes Wind; Rio+20; Power Plant Standards; Clean Water Act; New York, New Jersey, Florida, Georgia Energy Efficiency Efforts; Earth Day; and Other U.S. News
Last week, President Obama called for an end to $4 billion in U.S. oil and gas subsidies, instead using that money to “double-down on investments in clean energy technologies… investments in wind power and solar power and biofuels, investments in fuel-efficient cars and trucks, and energy-efficient homes and buildings.” I, therefore, begin this week’s blog entry with the recently signed Great Lakes Wind Agreement, which streamlines procedures for offshore wind development in several Midwestern states. Watch the President’s full video address below. Other U.S. Government highlights this week include recent sustainable development efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in preparation for Rio+20. There are also newly proposed carbon emissions standards by the EPA for power plants, the approval of E15 blended gasoline for the U.S., and national recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. I discuss efforts to improve energy efficiency in federal buildings and at state and local levels in New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Georgia. I finish with advances in science on biofuels, hydrogen fuel cell technology, and the creation of a $5 million DOE supercomputer institute.
Drought in parts of the UK
The Environment Agency has declared that East Anglia, the south east of England and parts of Yorkshire are in drought, following prolonged dry weather in parts of the UK. Several water companies are to impose hosepipe bans on April 5.
UK Budget – Green Issues
UK Climate Week
This week is Climate Week! Dubbed “Britain’s biggest climate change campaign” climate week is a “supercharged national occasion” showcasing activities, innovations and ideas to help combat climate change. An independent campaign, it has the backing of the Prime Minister and supported by a number organizations. Businesses, schools, charities and local authorities are holding events from March 12-18 and whether you are acting as an individual or as part of an organization everyone is encouraged to get involved. See a map of events for activities happening across the country from low carbon meals to pub quizzes and building retrofits.
UK highlights – Ed Davey’s first weeks in office
Edward Davey, new Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, has been eager to show he has hit the ground running. Stressing there will be “no change in direction or ambition” at DECC, Davey has sought to allay concerns from green critics that the loss of Chris Huhne may signal a change in Government policy. The Secretary of State has underlined the importance of green growth, opened the world’s largest offshore wind-farm, and unveiled a new energy efficiency office in DECC. Davey has rebuffed criticism of subsidies for wind power and set out reforms for the feed-in tariff scheme.
U.S. Announces “Coalition Against Climate Change”; $2.4 Billion CCS Plant; New Nuclear Reactor Licenses; Other U.S. Government News
This week, I highlight America’s ongoing commitment toward tackling climate change and bringing international stakeholders together to achieve specific, measurable results. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced on February 16 the formation of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, a new global initiative to combat climate change and reduce short-lived climate pollutants—methane, black carbon, and many hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs)—that account for approximately one-third of the current global warming. Bangladesh, Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Sweden, and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) are other coalition partners. I describe several efforts by the Departments of Energy, Commerce, EPA, and USAID to invest millions of dollars in new clean energy projects and training programs. There is also a summary of newly released climate change research from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.