• Energy sector doesn’t believe we’ll get to net zero

    Energy sector doesn’t believe we’ll get to net zero
    Just 4% of energy professionals believe the UK will get to net zero in 2050.That’s the standout finding of the annual Energy Barometer report from the Energy Institute.
    The Barometer is an annual state-of-the-nation member survey designed to inform the public debate about energy and provide an expert sense check on government policy.
    This year’s report, UK Power Shift, is a retrospective look at the decade since the survey started and, looking forward, the first comprehensive assessm
  • Brilliant night for brokers

    Brilliant night for brokers
    The 11th TELCAs ended with a host of new winners for the best brokers in the country.Equity Energies scooped the top prize of Consultancy of the Year in the Large business category and serial winners, Indigo Swan, won the SME award.
    Other highlights included Chris Shaw the CEO of Utility Bidder branded as Industry Expert and Mitie winning Most Trusted Large Customers.More than 250 packed into the Imperial War Museum in Salford Keys, a stunning venue, for the awards ceremony and it was a night of
  • Second hand? It’s what we want!

    Second hand? It’s what we want!
    British shoppers are embracing second-hand items, with 84% purchasing pre-owned goods.That’s according to new research by YouGov for FCC Environment. This figure has held steady since 2023 but marks a 10% rise from 2022.
    Cost savings (70%) remain the top motivator, followed by sustainability (43%) and the hunt for unique finds (42%).Online platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Vinted have surged in popularity, yet charity shops remain key.
    The most popular items are furniture, books and
  • 1,600+ businesses, schools, care homes and rugby clubs see water-savings and cost reductions

    1,600+ businesses, schools, care homes and rugby clubs see water-savings and cost reductions
    Running costs have been cut through water-savings, giving a boost to budgets at businesses, schools and care homes, in a large-scale, sector-leading approach to drop more than a million litres of water use a week, through efficiencies – equal to 4 million cups of tea.
    More than 1,600 locations – engaged through business water retailer Water Plus – including nurseries, GPs, medical centres, Academies, Sixth Form Colleges, national supermarket stores, a top-flight football club a
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  • Cleaner steel or there will be no point going green!

    Cleaner steel or there will be no point going green!
    No steel – no society.Bit simplistic but look around and it’s true. From the laptop I’m writing this on, to the car or bus you get in, the supermarket or stall you shop at, the clothes rail you sort through and the cooker that warms up your dinner. Steel is everywhere.In fact it is the world’s most important building material, used every place you can imagine. And as we transition to cleaner technologies like solar and wind and nuclear and batteries…it will be need
  • Nuclear energy debate draws stark gender split in Australia ahead of next year’s election

    Nuclear energy debate draws stark gender split in Australia ahead of next year’s election
    Survey finds 25 percentage point gender gap across all age brackets on whether nuclear power would be positive for the country, with majority of men saying it wouldFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew data points to a stark gender split in attitudes towards nuclear energy, with women much more likely to say they don’t support it or think the risks are too great.Research company DemosAu surveyed 6,000 people on
  • You want warm homes – offer more loans!

    You want warm homes – offer more loans!
    If the Labour government is serious about its warm homes programme it should copy overseas schemes and offer retrofitting finance.The Green Finance Institute said in a recent report, retrofit finance could reduce bills in 675,000 homes if the government implimented rules used across Europe.The report compares the UK’s green loan market with international counterparts including Ireland, Belgium and Germany. It identifies areas to scale up theunsecured green home loan market and support a mo
  • Australian homes to be cooled this summer by more renewable energy and battery projects, Aemo says

    Australian homes to be cooled this summer by more renewable energy and battery projects, Aemo says
    But it warns of shortfalls if high demand periods – like heatwaves – happen during unplanned outagesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew renewable energy and battery projects should help the power grid this summer although gas supplies will need to be monitored closely during demand peaks, the Australian Energy Market Operator said.In its industry briefing for the five months from the start of November, r
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  • New minerals strategy on its way

    New minerals strategy on its way
    With the global rush for critical minerals to enable the net zero transition, Labour will announce today a new strategy to secure the UK’s needs.Industry Minister Sarah Jones will reveal a new Critical Minerals Strategy, set to launch in Spring 2025, when she speaks at the Resourcing Tomorrow conference.
    Speaking to more than 100 companies from the global mining sector, she will outline the vital importance of securing critical minerals for the UK’s automotive, tech and renewable ene
  • Bendy solar panels to meet energy demand of 20 nuclear reactors

    Bendy solar panels to meet energy demand of 20 nuclear reactors
    Mass producuction of perovskite solar panels offers path for Japan to supercharge its renewable energy transition
  • Humans have made hurricanes worse

    Humans have made hurricanes worse
    Human-induced climate change is warming the oceans and making hurricanes stronger, faster and more destructive,
    Analysing storms from the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, researchers found that greenhouse gas emissions significantly increased hurricane wind speeds by 9-28 mph.The study by independent scientists at Climate Central, states rising sea surface temperatures, fuelled by human activities, are driving hurricanes to escalate more rapidly, often jumping categories.
    This means storms are no
  • Country people believe they’re different to city people, but on key issues our views align | Gabrielle Chan

    Country people believe they’re different to city people, but on key issues our views align | Gabrielle Chan
    Researchers at ANU found no real difference between the climate opinions of regional and urban Australians. Remember that as we head into the next federal election, with renewable energy on the front lineSign up for the Rural Network email newsletterI have many heritages: Chinese, Irish, Anglo and Japanese among them. I am a journalist. I grew up in the city but have lived in the country for 30 years. How should I define my identity?Rural life has colonised my writing life. But I would hazard a
  • Sip your liquor sustainably

    Sip your liquor sustainably
    The production of spirits poses significant environmental challenges, particularly in water use, energy consumption and waste pollution.According to work by Canada’s David Suzuki Foundation, liquor drinkers should think about the green credentials of their favourite tipple.In an article exploring sustainable drinking the foundation points out the major issues with spirits and their carbon footprints;Water is fundamental to distilling spirits, yet its use is staggeringly high. On average, d
  • Oil workers get green jobs offer

    Oil workers get green jobs offer
    ScottishPower is offering a job lifeline to workers facing redundancy at Ineos’s Grangemouth refinery.
    The Glasgow-based energy firm plans to recruit 1,000 people next year and is urging affected staff to apply for new roles in its electricity networks business.With electricity demand set to double, the UK is undergoing its biggest-ever grid upgrade. ScottishPower has committed to investing £24bn in the UK, including £11bn in Scotland, to modernise and expand power lines to mee
  • Hopes of plastics deal crushed

    Hopes of plastics deal crushed
    The global deal on cutting plastic use has been postponed for another year as nations failed to agree a treaty.The talks in Busan, South Korea, involving more than 200 countries, known as the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5),aimed to finalise a draft for a global treaty to address plastic pollution.
    Its primary focus was on creating legally binding measures to curb plastic production, promote sustainable alternatives and manage plastic waste effectively.However it ended with just
  • Business confidence plummets

    Business confidence plummets
    The Institute of Directors says business optimisim has collapsed to its lowest point since the pandemic.The effects of Rachel Reeves budget and global uncertainty has left business leaders in a low mood.Investment plans and employment intentions were the weakest since May 2020 last month, while a gauge of business leaders’ optimism sank to its lowest since April 2020 at -65, down from -52 in October.IoD Chief Economist Anna Leach said: “This is a sobering set of results. As businesse
  • South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and NSW could experience blackouts from too much solar power, Aemo warns

    South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and NSW could experience blackouts from too much solar power, Aemo warns
    Aemo says it does not want to ‘directly control people’s rooftop solar’ but it may be necessary to reduce or cut off power gleaned from the sunFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe power grid in eastern Australia could experience “outage conditions” as soon as next spring unless states speed up actions to cope with surplus generation from solar panels on sunny days, the Australian Energy
  • Could the decline of fossil fuels be Australia’s chance to become a clean exports giant? | Frank Jotzo

    Could the decline of fossil fuels be Australia’s chance to become a clean exports giant? | Frank Jotzo
    Leading the charge towards clean energy would bring some much-needed positive momentum to international climate policyWhen Australia announces its 2035 emissions target to the world, there will be a unique opportunity to promote Australia’s ambition to help other countries decarbonise through exports of renewable energy-based commodities, while coal and gas exports will fall.Coal and gas exports from Australia are equivalent to well over a billion tonnes of CO2 when burned in other countri
  • Former Tesco boss wants to send power from Morocco to Great Britain using subsea cable

    Former Tesco boss wants to send power from Morocco to Great Britain using subsea cable
    Dave Lewis says the near-constant stream of clean electricity could supply the grid as early as 2030In the south-west of Morocco, a sprawl of wind and solar farms stretching across an area the size of Greater London could soon generate the green electricity powering more than 9m British homes.This is the unflinching vision of Sir Dave Lewis, the former Tesco boss who is hoping to build the world’s longest subsea power cable in order to harness north Africa’s renewable energy sources
  • My solar panels are faulty. Can I repair them or is it time for new ones?

    Waste generated by discarded systems is enormous. Here’s how to decide if it’s really time to replace your current arrayChange by Degrees offers life hacks and sustainable living tips each Saturday to help reduce your household’s carbon footprintGot a question or tip for reducing household emissions? Email us at [email protected], solar panels have no expiry, but failing parts, changes in certification standards and a hunger for more kilowatts are seein
  • Emissions trading to now include transport and shipping

    Emissions trading to now include transport and shipping
    The government has announced it’s stepping up efforts to cut emissions by expanding the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), to include the maritime sector and new rules for carbon transport.
    Under the proposals, businesses operating ships on domestic voyages will need to obtain allowances for every tonne of carbon they emit. By bringing maritime into the ETS, the cost of fuels used in the sector will reflect their environmental impact.
    The expansion aligns the UK more closely with similar E
  • London homes most at risk of climate change

    London homes most at risk of climate change
    London homes are most at risk from the twin threats of flooding and extreme heat, according to new research.The capital has huge risks but its not the only place.Sheffield residents face high flood risks but are less exposed to heat, while Bristol and Birmingham rank high for heat risks but not flooding.
    Coastal areas in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Southeast are also flagged as flood hotspots.All of this may undermine Labour’s drive to build 1.5 million of new homes The study by i
  • European DSOs must act on their emissions

    European DSOs must act on their emissions
    European Distribution System Operators (DSOs) are grappling with significant emissions, particularly indirect ones.
    A new Eurelectric report highlights that scopes 2 and 3 account for 97% of DSOs’ greenhouse gas emissions, with direct emissions from vehicles and switchgear making up just 4%.Scope 1 emissions arise from fuel combustion in fleets, SF6 leaks from switchgear and fossil-fuel-powered generators. Many DSOs are moving to electric vehicles, drones and SF6-free technologies to cut t
  • Could teens be turned into techies?

    Could teens be turned into techies?
    The energy transition is going to need lots of skilled workers particularly engineers, so a new programme is going into schools to help find the technical whizzes of the future.EngineeringUK is partnering with Volvo Cars to expand the reach of its ‘Energy Quest’ schools programme to help get young people ‘thinking like engineers.’Energy Quest is a curriculum-aligned science workshop offering fun, practical, hands-on experiments to students aged 11 to 13.
    Students work in
  • Embracing Embedded Generation 

    Embracing Embedded Generation 
    In this podcast, Rob Brannan joins the team at Future Net Zero for an insightful discussion on embedded/distributed generation, a topic which is particularly relevant as the UK navigates towards a cleaner, greener, more sustainable energy future.
    With the drive to reduce carbon emissions and decarbonise energy systems across the UK, combined with the decreasing cost of renewable energy technology, this has substantially boosted appetite for embedded generation and bolstered
  • Public EV charging ten times more expensive

    Public EV charging ten times more expensive
    Public EV charging costs remain stubbornly high despite a significant drop in wholesale electricity prices, according to the RAC.The RAC’s Charge Watch data shows that the average cost of using rapid chargers (50-149 kW) is 79p per kWh, virtually unchanged from January and up 28% on 2022. Ultra-rapid chargers (150 kW+) are slightly cheaper at 78p per kWh. Charging a family-sized EV from 10% to 80% costs more than £40, making public charging up to 10 times more expensive than home cha
  • More trees please!

    More trees please!
    Who doesn’t like a walk in the woods, well if the government plans announced today come true, there will be plenty of trees to navigate.All four delvolved nations’ forestry ministers have commited to a new Tree Planting Taskforce which aims to plant millions more trees as part of the net zero target.The UK has less tree cover than almost anywhere in Europe and more work is needed to close this gap. 
    The Taskforce is designed to strengthen collaborative working across
  • Hot brick battery offers renewable breakthrough for world’s hardest-to-decarbonise industry

    Hot brick battery offers renewable breakthrough for world’s hardest-to-decarbonise industry
    ‘e-Brick’ can reach extremely high temperatures using clean electricity for the first time
  • Climate change could destroy pensions

    Climate change could destroy pensions
    Pension funds around the world could be hit with up to 50% falls in returns due to the effects of climate change.Independent research has found that North American pension fund returns could decline up to 50% by 2040, under a high warming scenario, if the current approach to setting and governing climate policy doesn’t change.For the UK there’s better news but still the potential for falls of around 30% by 2040
    The report says: “Rising temperatures, increasing extreme weather e
  • Six things we learned about the Australian government’s response to the climate crisis

    Six things we learned about the Australian government’s response to the climate crisis
    ‘Climate Christmas’ data shows emissions are falling but not fast enough, while Labor’s reforms have yet to kick inFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Albanese government dropped six separate documents explaining what is happening on climate change and clean energy on Thursday in an annual event some call “climate Christmas”. Here is some of what we learned. Continue reading...
  • Newsroom edition: do voters still care about the climate during a cost-of-living crisis? - podcast

    A heatwave has hit eastern Australia. As Sydneysiders struggled through the heat, the premier, Chris Minns, asked residents to cut back on their power use to prevent parts of the city from plunging into a blackout. And while the grid strained to keep up with demand, an all-too-familiar debate erupted about the transition to renewable energy.Bridie Jabour talks to Guardian Australia’s head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about the challenges the Labor government
  • Flagship Energy’s Tejal Shah Energy Markets Update – 28th November 2024

    The EU and UK gas markets have seen a small respite after hitting 2024 highs last week. Although the situation has not changed much, improved weather forecasts and renewables as well as stable flows and increased LNG arrivals and send outs have shown the gas systems are capable of withstanding higher demand. EU storage levels are 87% full and although the withdrawal rate has been higher than the previous two years, weather conditions in Q125 will determine how much is left and therefore how summ
  • Carbon crunch – steak and chips makes the most emissions!

    Carbon crunch – steak and chips makes the most emissions!
    If you want to be a emissions-conscious meat eater ditch the steak for a chicken casserole!Cooking meals is about a third of a household emissions, so what you eat matters. A new study says if you can’t ditch the meat, you can still chose to cook with a smaller footprint.Steak and chips is the worst for the planet with 10,273g of CO2e per meal, while a chicken casserole is the best at 532g. For those who love a snack Nachos are the most energy efficient treat using just 0.125 KWh of energy
  • UK fossil fuel generation hits all time low

    UK fossil fuel generation hits all time low
    Fossil fuel electricity generation in the UK hit a record low in August 2024, averaging below 5 GW.This milestone coincided with the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, marking the UK’s complete phase-out of coal power, making it the first major economy to achieve this.According to the latest Drax Electric Insights report, the UK leads G7 nations in decarbonisation, however challenges remain in eliminating natural gas, expanding grid infrastructure and addressing rising system bala
  • Heat networks a massive opportunity for Scotland

    Heat networks a massive opportunity for Scotland
    The Scottish Government must prioritise heat networks to meet the 2045 target for decarbonising heating.
    Heat networks, which distribute heat to multiple buildings or areas, are essential as over half of Scotland’s energy is used to heat homes and buildings.
    Scottish Renewables, a trade body representing more than 250 organisations,says it is time for a national strategy, supported by clear delivery plans, to ensure heat networks play a major role in cutting emissions.The government should
  • What’s harder; reaching Net Zero or trying to talk about it?

    What’s harder; reaching Net Zero or trying to talk about it?
    To celebrate the end of the Equity Energies Carbon Admissions video series, we’ve got something different in store.
    The brilliant team have shared their own Carbon Admissions, and talked eloquently about all things Net Zero. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t a few outtakes and bloopers along the way…
    You can watch all the videos in the series here https://www.youtube.com/@EquityEnergies/videos.
    Download the Equity Energies Carbon Admissions report here.Download the re
  • Australian households’ energy bills could be 20% lower in 10 years, report finds

    Australian households’ energy bills could be 20% lower in 10 years, report finds
    AEMC says electrification of homes, including ending use of gas for heating and cooking, could reduce costs by about $1,000 a yearFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian households’ energy bills could shrink by a fifth over the next decade as more renewables cut power costs and help quicken the take-up of electric cars, according to the Australian Energy Markets Commission.In its first residential electrici
  • How can the UK accelerate larger vehicle electrification?

    How can the UK accelerate larger vehicle electrification?
    In previous articles, we’ve looked at the status of HGV and large van electrification – and the challenges the UK and its organisations face. Now, we remind ourselves of the potential benefits and explore the opportunities for meaningful progress.The benefits are clearIn amongst the challenges of electrification, we mustn’t forget the benefits it can bring.Sustainability firstCustomers are increasingly focusing on sustainability among criteria when making purchasing decisions.
  • Cheese… the key to a warm home in the west

    Cheese… the key to a warm home in the west
    With energy bills soaring and one in three children growing up in poverty, Bristol-based CHEESE Project is stepping up to help struggling households stay warm.
    Using thermal imaging, this community interest company uncovers hidden heat leaks, empowering low-income families to cut costs and improve their home’s energy efficiency.On Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, CHEESE highlights the stark reality faced by millions. Cold homes don’t just drive up bills; they cost the NHS an estimated &po
  • Is ZEV dead? Not quite says expert

    Is ZEV dead? Not quite says expert
    With the car sector fighting against what it calls unworkable targets, have we hit a crunch point in the government’s plan to get us all into EVs?After yesterday’s Luton car plant closure news and the reaction of car sector to it, the Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has promised at review of the ZEV (Zero Emissions Vehicle) mandate.He said he had heard the concerns from the sector: “We have to accept and have to analyse whether the environment in the UK for automotive manu
  • Car makers hit the panic button over EV rules

    Car makers hit the panic button over EV rules
    After yesterday’s bombshell news that Luton’s famous Vauxhall plant faces closure, a massive intervention by Labour is on the cards.EV take up has not grown as expected and the rules of the ZEV mandate have been partly blamed by Stellantis, the owners of the Luton plant, for their decision to close. The SMMT, which represents the car sector have said in it’s present form ZEV is not working.They said: “Since the mandate was designed more than two years ago, the original as
  • Forget the fantasy… fusion is reality!

    Forget the fantasy… fusion is reality!
    Got to put it out there I loved recording this podcast with Sehila Gonzalez de Vicente, because it was all about something I have been fascinated with since childhood…nuclear fusion.Sehila heads up Fusion at the Clean Air Taskforce. And I know what you are thinking, it’s rubbish, wishful thinking or at best another 100 years away. But even I, the cynical journalist, now think it’s going to happen before 2050 and might even play a big role in getting us to net zero.Let’s
  • Will Labour’s 2030 green energy goal cost more than 2035? They should come clean | Nils Pratley

    Ed Miliband argues the UK should race towards becoming a ‘clean energy superpower’, but costs to the consumer shouldn’t be ignoredThe government’s plan to decarbonise the UK’s electricity system by 2030 is a vast undertaking. Energy companies will throw £40bn-plus annually at the effort, backed by financing that ultimately affects consumers’ bills. So it is extraordinary that no official body seems able to answer this question: will it cost more to compl
  • Manufacturers fail to hit ZEV targets

    Manufacturers fail to hit ZEV targets
    It’s clear EV take up is stalling and latest research shows just three car makers are set to hit their government targets.The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires car manufacturers to sell a growing percentage of fully electric or hydrogen-powered cars, each year. It is designed to phase out new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 and support the UK’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.But today Rho Motion, an EV research hub, has revealed just three traditional car
  • China’s CO2 emissions have peaked or will in 2025, say 44% of experts in survey

    China’s CO2 emissions have peaked or will in 2025, say 44% of experts in survey
    Research reflects rising optimism about country’s green transition as it takes leading position on climate actionNearly half of experts surveyed by a climate thinktank believe China’s carbon dioxide emissions have already peaked, or will do so in 2025, reflecting increasing optimism about the country’s green transition at a time when it is being called on to take a leading position on global climate action.According to a report published on Tuesday by the Centre for Research on
  • Have stagnant EV sales killed off Vauxhall’s Luton plant?

    Have stagnant EV sales killed off Vauxhall’s Luton plant?
    The owner of the iconic Vauxhall car plant at Luton has announced it is to close and move its EV building operations to Ellesmere Port in Merseyside with the potential loss of 1,100 jobs.Stellantis, which also owns brands including Citroen, Peugeot and Fiat, said it would consolidate it’s EV van production at Ellesmere Port partly due to pressures of the government’s ZEV mandate.The zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans, manufa
  • Don’t go in the water!

    Don’t go in the water!
    Swimmers should avoid the only two approved bathing spots in the Thames. Not because of sharks but bacteria.
    Wolvercote Mill Stream in Oxford and Wallingford Beach in Berkshire, were both recently designated as bathing sites but tests from the Environment Agency found high levels of E.coli and intestinal enterococci.Environmental charity Thames21 is now calling for urgent action to improve water quality at the two popular swimming locations.The Environment Agency tests designated bathing water s
  • Businesses in York entitled to free green support

    Businesses in York entitled to free green support
    York businesses are being urged to sign up in time for a free green makeover scheme that has already made 587 tonnes of CO2e savings.Run by City Of York Council and local provider Green Economy, the carbon reduction scheme offers free tailored support to help businesses reduce energy costs and boost their green credentials.The help includes carbon reduction plans built for the needs of a specific business, training and advice.So far 35 businesses have benefitted from energy and carbon savings to
  • Why is Net Zero a collective responsibility?

    Why is Net Zero a collective responsibility?
    Ben Chamberlain, head of operations, has years of experience in the domestic energy sector, but found the switch to commercial came with a newfound understanding of what Net Zero really means.
    So, does Net Zero have something of a language problem?
    Download the Equity Energies Carbon Admissions report here.Download the report belowName(Required)FirstLastEmail(Required)Enter EmailConfirm EmailThe post Why is Net Zero a collective responsibility? appeared first on Energy Live News.
  • Something for the weekend? ScottishPower offers half price electricity

    Something for the weekend? ScottishPower offers half price electricity
    Smart meter customers of ScottishPower will be offered half-price electricity at weekends.The discounted rate could save some consumers up to £300 on their annual bill.It follows a successful six-week flexibility trial run by ScottishPower, during which 5,000 customers adjusted when they used electricity in their home, moving higher consumption to times of lower demand on the national grid, when renewable power can be more readily available.Based on the trial results, the weekend freebie w

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