Energy efficiency is a subject unlikely to grab the headlines, but there is a quiet revolution under way that is changing the electricity industry and helping to save the planet from climate change. After decades of constant increases, the consumption of electricity in many European countries is going down. Coupled with the rise in the use of renewable energy, this has cut carbon emissions faster than expected. Some countries, notably Germany, have been expecting and planning for this to happen, but the UK government has been surprised by the trend. It forecast a continued rise in the use of electricity − but it has been falling. The use of electricity per person in the UK has gone down every year since 2008, causing the government to repeatedly revise its future forecasts for energy consumption. Part of the reason for this is European Union regulations that have pushed the production of energy-efficient appliances, machinery and light bulbs. But another significant factor is the appointment by many large companies and organisations of sustainability officers, whose specific job it is to find ways of using less resources – particularly energy.
Climate News Network 27th March 2017 read more »
Kingfisher, the owners of B&Q, are among the companies calling for a major energy efficiency drive Reuters. A group of businesses has offered to help the Government come up with a new plan to fight climate change amid fears that the UK is wavering in its commitment. According to the landmark 2008 Climate Change Act, Ministers are legally required to spell out how the UK will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions over the next few years. But, despite signing up to a bold new target to reduce emissions by 57 per cent by 2030 last year, the Government has repeatedly delayed saying how this will actually be achieved – in an apparent breach of the law. Now 30 businesses, including Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q, and engineering giant Arup, have written to Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Greg Clark – responsible for climate change after Theresa May abolished the dedicated Cabinet post – urging him to commit to an ambitious energy efficiency drive as part of the forthcoming Clean Power Plan. The letter, which was coordinated by environmental campaign group WWF, argued this was one of the “most cost-effective” ways of meeting the UK’s climate targets and pointed to a string of other benefits.
Independent 28th March 2017 read more »