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.
Secretary Chu’s Remarks at the Clean Energy Ministerial Opening Session, as prepared for delivery
April 25, 2012 – 9:03am
I would like to thank Secretary of State Davey and the United Kingdom for hosting the third Clean Energy Ministerial, and thank everyone here for traveling to join us and for participating in this important forum.
Today, we have an extraordinary responsibility and opportunity: a responsibility to confront our shared energy and climate challenges, and an opportunity to do this by advancing clean energy technologies that can save consumers money, promote economic growth, strengthen energy security, and expand access to energy. Read more 
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.
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.
UK highlights – birds counts, renewable energy and Rio+20
This weekend kicks off the Big Garden Birdwatch, set aside an hour, make yourself a cup of tea and count the birds in your garden or local park. The RSPB have even provided a handy counting sheet to help! In other ESTH UK highlights, Ministers have been busy with the UK’s first marine energy park, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, preparations for the Green Deal, the Rio+20 Conference and a legal battle over cuts to solar tariffs. MPs have warned the smart meter rollout faces challenges, the UK Carbon Price will outsource emissions, and there is renewed opposition to health reforms. Green charities are concerned about ‘Boris Island’ and give their thoughts on the year ahead. And you need to count your hedgehogs too.
UK news highlights
What with climate change negotiations, the cross-governmental Carbon Plan, Water White Paper, Electricity Market Reform, smart meter roll out, UK’s first Carbon Capture and Storage plant, red tape challenge, and lessons from Deepwater Horizon and Fukushima, it has been a busy few weeks for ESTH issues in the UK.
UK news – green growth
UK green groups and businesses have been digesting the impact of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on plans for a low carbon economy.