SDUK Heading to go here

  • 8th January 2010

    Brown: Offshore wind expansion - a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions


    Following the announcement of the new offshore wind farms, the Prime Minister has said this will make a significant contribution to reducing emissions and boosting low-carbon jobs in the UK. Gordon Brown said the offshore wind industry could be worth £75 billion and support up to 70,000 jobs by 2020. He went on to say that the government’s support for offshore wind energy has put the UK ahead of every other country in the world.

    He stated: “This new round of licences provides a substantial new platform for investing in UK industrial capacity. This announcement will make a significant and practical contribution to reducing our CO2 emissions and the government will work with developers and the Crown Estate to support the growing offshore wind industry and help remove barriers to rapid development.”

    Also commenting on the announcement, Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband said: “Today’s news shows we’re creating the right conditions for the energy industry to invest in harnessing it. This is one of the strongest signals yet that the UK is locked irreversibly into a low carbon, energy secure prosperous future.”

    Confirmed SDUK2010 speaker Phil Wynn Owen, Director General National Climate Change and Consumer Support, Department of Energy & Climate Change, will discuss wind farms and other alternative power systems as part of his keynote plenary address at this year’s conference: The Low Carbon Transition Plan: Putting the UK at the Forefront of a Low Carbon Economic Revolution.

    DECC full story

  • 5th January 2010

    Ed Miliband's statement - Copenhagen Climate Change Conference


    Earlier this week, Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said the outcome of the Copenhagen climate summit was "disappointing", but he insisted there had been a historic shift in the world's efforts to tackle global warming.

    Mr Miliband told MPs the Copenhagen Accord, agreed late on the last day of the talks, made "important steps forward" on fighting climate change - including getting developing countries to commit to action on their emissions.

    The accord also laid out short and long-term finance to help poor countries, recognised temperature rises should not go above 2C and ensured countries would monitor and verify the action taken to curb greenhouse gases.

    Reporting back on the UN summit in December, he said it was disappointing the deal - agreed by 49 countries which make up 80% of the world's emissions - had no timetable for securing a legally-binding international treaty and no targets for global greenhouse gas cuts. But he said significant progress had been made, which needed to be built on by strengthening, broadening and deepening the deal and by reforming the UN process of negotiations on climate.

    Mr Miliband told the House: "In looking back at Copenhagen, we must bear in mind that agreement was inevitably tough because we are seeking consensus among 192 countries. Like most ambitious efforts, it was always going to be difficult to succeed first time round. But we should not let frustration with the two weeks at Copenhagen obscure the historic shift which this last year has marked.

    "Internationally, thanks in large part to the deadline of Copenhagen and the mobilisation behind it, every major economy of the world now has domestic policy goals and commitments to limit their greenhouse gas emissions: the US, China, Japan, Russia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, and of course the EU.

    He went on to add: "Throughout the world, policy is now set to improve energy efficiency, to increase investment in low carbon power, to develop hybrid and electric vehicles and smart grids, and to reduce deforestation. In 2010 and in the years ahead, this government and I am sure the vast majority of this House is determined to ensure that we redouble our efforts to complete the unfinished business of Copenhagen”.

    The results of Copenhagen and how the government will move forward on the agreements will be discussed at SDUK2010 in March this year by Phil Wynn Owen, Director General National Climate Change and Consumer Support, DECC and Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
    DECC full story

  • 16th December 2009

    Copenhagen: PM promises a “final push” for a global deal to cut carbon emissions


    The Prime Minister arrived in Copenhagen last night where he will work towards securing an ambitious agreement that limits global warming to a maximum two degrees.

    He has promised to make a “final push” for a global deal on cutting carbon emissions, saying the "future of humanity" is at stake.as world leaders attend the concluding days of the summit.

    Mr Brown painted an apocalyptic picture of the consequences of failure at the summit, saying that the world economy would suffer an unprecedented “catastrophe” if temperatures rise too far. He said: "If we do not act to tackle climate change, the costs to our standard of living will be huge – a reduction in our national income of up to 20 per cent, an economic catastrophe equivalent in this century to the impact of two world wars and the great depression in the last."

    However, the UN conference's president, Connie Hedegaard, has warned there are still many obstacles in place to getting a deal, and ministers had to be very clear and focused over the next 48 hours "if we are to make it" to achieving a deal leaders can agree to by the end of the week.

    Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband wants to see ministers work out the differences between countries - including sticking points such as financial contributions to help poorer countries deal with global warming and the scale of emissions cuts - before 130 leaders gather for the last days of the summit at the end of the week.

  • 7th December 2009

    Copenhagen starts at home – Miliband


    As talks aimed at securing a global climate deal kicked off in Copenhagen today, UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband announced steps in the UK aimed at helping householders make their contribution to cutting emissions. The Government’s Energy Bill, also has its second reading in the Commons today.

    Homeowners in Birmingham, Sunderland, London Borough of Sutton and Stroud will be testing out new ways to finance whole house energy makeovers under the Government’s £4m Pay As You Save scheme. Following an open competition, Birmingham City Council, Gentoo Sunderland, British Gas, B&Q UK and Stroud District Council have been chosen to deliver individual projects in the first ever UK trials.

    The Home Energy Pay As You Save pilots will give households the opportunity to invest in energy efficiency and microgeneration technologies in their homes with no upfront cost. Householders will make repayments spread over a long enough period so that repayments are lower than their predicted energy bill savings, meaning financial and carbon savings are made from day one. A total of around 500 homes across England will take part in the trial which will provide evidence of how to foot the bill for the Great British Refurb – the Government’s plan to make the 22 million existing homes in the UK more energy efficient.

    Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said:
    “The next two weeks in Copenhagen are crunch time for the planet. The UK has taken a lead in putting solutions on the table throughout the process so far and I’ll not rest until we have the most ambitious, effective and fair deal possible. Our credibility abroad is based on our ambition at home. We’re the first country to put carbon targets into law, and our target of an 80% reduction by 2050 is one of the most ambitious.

    He continued: “Many British householders want to reduce their emissions, but are put off by the upfront cost of installing insulation, solar panels or ground source heat pumps. Pay As You Save will trial different ways of paying for this work so it’s affordable. One quarter of the UK’s total emissions come from homes, so householders have to be a part of the solution to climate change. Increasing the energy efficiency of homes not only helps reduce emissions, but will also help reduce fuel bills.”

    DECC is keen to learn whether the PAYS scheme is attractive to consumers and how, in the medium term, it could be a method for enabling more householders to invest in the energy efficiency of their homes.

    DECC Full Story

  • 3rd December 2009

    Businesses back push for Copenhagen deal


    Hundreds of leading UK and international companies have joined the Prime Minister in calling for a fair and ambitious deal at the Copenhagen climate change conference.

    The Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change presented Gordon Brown with a communiqué endorsed by more than 850 companies which sets out the business case for strong UN climate deal.

    The presentation took place at an event at Downing Street to highlight and celebrate UK businesses providing low carbon products and services.

    The PM said:
    “We are committed to securing a comprehensive and ambitious agreement in Copenhagen; an agreement which must mark the decisive global shift towards combating climate change, and I welcome this unprecedented support from business to achieve this. Our common purpose is our greatest strength as we push for a binding agreement on climate change.

    “Our transition to a low carbon economy will be a key driver of our future economic prosperity. UK companies are at the forefront of this transformation, their innovation and expertise demonstrates why this is one of best places in the world for low carbon business.”

    Full Story

  • 3rd December 2009

    £30 Million for Green Buses to reduce CO2


    Up to 1000 jobs will be secured and up to 10,000 tonnes of CO2 saved thanks to a grant of £30m to bus operators and local authorities

    The winners of the Green Bus Fund - which aims to encourage and help bus operators and local authorities to buy new low carbon buses - will now be able to purchase 349 vehicles which will operate in most of our main cities and some rural areas by March 2012.

    Today's announcement is part of the Department for Transport’s wider strategy to encourage a radical shift to low carbon transport and improve air quality in our cities. Announcing the winning bids for the fund, Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said:

    "Both the environment and British industry is receiving a major boost from this £30m fund. It gives the initial support needed to stop the rise in bus CO2 emissions we've seen over the last ten years.

    "It will also give UK bus manufacturers the certainty they desperately need to allow them to keep their skilled labour force and continue to lead the way in green innovation. "Let’s be clear: doing nothing is not an option. Tackling vehicle carbon emissions is a question of when not if, and it's initiatives like this which will deliver the change we need."

    The fund will enable bus operators and councils in every region across England to fund the up-front cost of buying low carbon buses. As more low carbon buses are produced and sold, costs will reduce. This will encourage bus technology and will stimulate the market for low carbon buses, an industry in which the UK is a world leader.

    Low carbon buses use at least 30 per cent less fuel and emit nearly a third less carbon than an equivalent conventional bus. They therefore have the potential to significantly reduce the impact of road transport on climate change. They will also meet the most stringent emission standards to help improve air quality. Department for Transport Full Story

  • 2nd December 2009

    Confirmed SDUK2010 speaker, Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn – calls on engineering sector to lead the design and build of a climate change resilient Britain


    The future of a climate resilient Britain depends on the engineering sector’s response to the challenge. Mr Benn called on the sector to lead the way in building Britain’s future infrastructure - from transport networks to nuclear power stations to withstand the changes to our climate.

    Hilary Benn said:
    “The floods of last month, and the collapse of bridges, show us how much a resilient infrastructure matters. Protecting ourselves against negative impacts, and also taking advantage of the benefits of a changing climate, is all part of building Britain’s future.

    “The UK’s engineering sector is vital to tackling this challenge and is well-placed lead in designing and engineering climate resilient and low carbon infrastructure for global markets, as well as the UK.”
    Last summer Defra published the Climate Change Projections 09, based on Met Office science.

    These illustrate the extent of the changes the UK might face with warmer and wetter winters, hotter and drier summers, increased risk of coastal erosion and more severe weather events such as flooding and heat waves. Already all ten of the hottest years on record globally have been since 1990, and the extreme weather experienced in recent years and most notably the flooding in Cumbria has tested the resilience of the country’s infrastructure.

    Defra Full Story

    We are delighted to welcome Hilary Benn MP who will deliver the afternoon keynote address at SDUK2010 ‘A Crisis of Sustainability’, where he will cover this key issue of ‘A world without waste’. To view his plenary session, please click here

  • 25th November 2009

    Call for health professionals to act on climate change


    Health should be at the centre of our fight against climate change, Health Secretary, Andy Burnham will say today at the launch of a new report on Health and Climate Change.

    The report calls on health ministers and professionals across the world to recognise the danger that climate change poses to health, in the run up to the UN conference in Copenhagen in December.

    Key findings in the report show that:
    • changes towards a low carbon transport system could reduce the health impacts of urban air pollution and physical inactivity;
    • housing insulation can reduce deaths from both extreme cold and heat;
    • changes in farming practice to reduce livestock and overall meat consumption could improve health by lowering the intake of saturated fat; and
    • in poor countries, a reduced need to burn solid fuel indoors could have a significant impact on child and maternal health by cutting indoor air pollution.

    Speaking at the launch Andy Burnham will pledge to bring the human health cost of climate change to the forefront of the debate, to prevent the dramatic impact on people’s lives. He will highlight the ‘human face’ of climate change in a world where rising sea levels are already displacing communities, and increased temperature is causing malaria to spread up hills and mountains.

    The Health Secretary will make the case for policies that improve health as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to help ‘tip the balance in favour of ambitious climate change action’.

    Andy Burnham said: "Climate change can seem a distant, impersonal threat - in fact, the associated costs to health are a very real and present danger. Health Ministers across the globe must act now to highlight the risk global warming poses to the health of our communities. We need well-designed climate change policies that drive health benefits. This is a landmark year for climate change, with the world coming together at the Copenhagen conference in December. The call to action does not end there – this is the start of a journey in which small but committed changes can make a significant difference to global health.”

    Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband said: “Climate change is a serious threat to public health. To protect the world’s health we must stop dangerous climate change happening and limit temperature increases to no more than 2°C. An ambitious and fair deal in Copenhagen will not only have major benefits in terms of reducing the climate change related spread of infectious diseases and risks to food supply, but will also result in immediate green benefits in terms of a healthier environment and lifestyle for a low carbon Britain – and a low carbon world. This is why we are going to Copenhagen to secure an ambitious, effective and fair deal for everyone.” Department of Health Full Story:

  • 23rd October 2009

    Confirmed SDUK2010 speaker, Rt. Hon. Lord Drayson, discusses the importance of UK public and private sector collaborative working to tackle climate change


    Delivering a speech today, Lord Drayson highlighted the importance of the UK being a low carbon nation and the tangible benefits it can bring: “The UK sector for low carbon, environmental goods and services is one of the few areas of our economy expected to maintain positive growth rates through this global downturn – with forecasts of more than 4 per cent per annum up to 2014/15. Recent estimates valued our market at around £106 billion – employing 880,000 people, either directly or through the supply chain. We expect that more than one million people will have jobs in this sector – skilled jobs, with market value per employee well above our national average – by the middle of the next decade.”

    He went onto add that joint collaboration between private and public sector is essential to tackle this vital issue: “Government will have to get involved to produce the solutions fast enough to tackle climate change. We’re dealing with a scenario where public-private partnerships are the only viable answer. It’s the only way for the UK to build on its status as a pioneer in wave and tidal energy, to be the best place in Europe for advanced manufacturing, especially in low carbon."

    He continued: "We want to target government support where it can really count – by improving the regulatory environment, by using public procurement to send the right market signals, by helping the most innovative small businesses to become high-growth enterprises.”

    BIS Full Story

    Rt. Hon. Lord Drayson will deliver the opening keynote address at SDUK2010 ‘Implementation of the Low Carbon Industrial Strategy: The Benefits for Innovation, Growth and Job Creation in the UK’. To view which key issues he will be discussing, click here.

  • 19th October 2009

    Tough action needed on climate change - warns Gordon Brown


    Gordon Brown warned that the world is on the brink of a "catastrophic" future of killer heatwaves, floods and droughts unless governments speed up negotiations on climate change before vital talks in Copenhagen in December.

    The PM also warned the Major Economies Forum that countries must not wait until a future date to agree a successor to the Kyoto Agreement on climate change.

    Mr Brown said: “In every era there are only one or two moments when nations come together and reach agreements that make history - because they change the course of history. Copenhagen must be such a time. There are now fewer than fifty days to set the course of the next fifty years and more. So, as we convene here, we carry great responsibilities, and the world is watching.

    “If we do not reach a deal at this time, let us be in no doubt: once the damage from unchecked emissions growth is done, no retrospective global agreement, in some future period, can undo that choice. By then it will be irretrievably too late.”

    Mr Brown said that countries cannot continue to operate on a “business as usual” basis and the route to a low carbon global economy will require a high level of international cooperation. He also called for world leaders to engage directly in the negotiations to speed up the path to an agreement.

    Full Story

  • 13th October 2009

    Confirmed SDUK2010 speaker, Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn – We’ll build a zero waste nation


    The path to Britain becoming a zero waste nation was announced today by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn at a summit of Local Authorities and the waste industry.

    Hilary Benn said:"We need to rethink how we view and treat waste in the UK.  Why do we send valuable items like aluminium and food waste to landfill when we can turn them into new cans and renewable energy?  Why use more resources than we need to in manufacturing?  We must now work together to build a zero waste nation - where we reduce the resources we use, reuse and recycle all that we can and only landfill things that have absolutely no other use." 

    Benn continued: "To do this all of us - government, local authorities, businesses and consumers - must do our bit.  And we must make this moment the turning point on our journey to eliminate wasteful waste.”

    The government expects Local Authorities to offer a full collection service for all recyclable items by 2020.  This should include paper, card, cans, glass and plastic bottles, food and packaging.  Local Authorities will be encouraged to collect food waste to make use of the technology and funding available to them to harness the power of energy from waste.

    Defra Full Story

    We are delighted to welcome Hilary Benn MP who will deliver the afternoon keynote address at SDUK2010 ‘A Crisis of Sustainability’, where he will cover this key issue of ‘A world without waste’. To view his plenary session, please click here.

  • 28th Sept 2009

    10m for 20 best low carbon communities


    The Government has today launched a search for local authorities, charities and social enterprises to take up the challenge to help communities fight climate change. Communities can apply for a share of a £10million fund as part of the Low Carbon Communities Challenge to build on existing low carbon schemes.

    Around a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions come from heating, lighting and powering electrical appliances in homes. By 2050 this needs to be almost zero if the UK is to cut its emissions by 80% highlighting the importance of local action.  This challenge offers the chance to be in the forefront of moving to a low carbon economy. The twenty successful communities will each receive support to pay for real measures selected by the local residents themselves. These could range from a local biomass plant to retrofitting homes to electric car charge points.

    The Low Carbon Communities Challenge will help communities curb their carbon emissions and encourage economic investment that delivers greater energy efficiency. A specialist support squad made up of partners with funding and expertise from inside and outside government - including The Energy Saving Trust, The Carbon Trust, WRAP and the third sector - will work together with each community to offer help on anything from negotiating in planning debates to identifying personalised low carbon answers.

    Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband, said:
    “We’re searching for communities across the country to kick start the low carbon revolution. The Challenge is an opportunity for communities to lead the way so that everyone can play their part in tacking climate change and save money on fuel bills.The UK has the most ambitious emissions reduction commitments in the world and projects like this will develop the policies we need to be successful. With just over two months to go until the crucial climate talks at Copenhagen, the UK is well placed to show it is taking action in all areas to combat climate change.”

    DECC 28th September 2009 Full Story

  • 25th Sept 2009

    UK leading the way on CCS ahead of hosting international summit


    International energy and environment Ministers will converge in London on 13 October 2009 to move international collaboration on carbon capture and storage forward ahead of the UN Climate Change talks in Copenhagen.

    The Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF), hosted by the UK and Norway, will bring together Ministers from 23 countries as well as the European Commission and industry stakeholder and build on the foundations of the G8’s ambition to launch 20 CCS demonstration projects globally by 2010.

    Ahead of the talks DECC is launching a consultation today which aims to harness the huge potential of the North Sea for storing CO2. The consultation proposes the regulatory framework to ensure that exploration, development and management of the potential storage sites is safely carried out and effectively coordinated with other uses of the sea.

    Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said:
    “There’s enough potential under the North Sea to store more than 100 years worth of CO2 emissions from the UK’s power fleet. We are also working closely with Norway and other North Sea Basin countries to ensure the North Sea fulfils its potential in the deployment of CCS in Europe. We want to get the UK regulatory framework in place so we can harness that potential and make the North Sea part of the CCS revolution. Without CCS there is no solution to climate change.  As well as getting things in place in the UK and Europe we need that consensus at the global talks in Copenhagen. The meeting in London will be a pivotal part of moving the discussion on CCS forwards.” 

    DECC 25th September 2009 Full Story

  • 24th Sept 2009

    Nation of water wasters – new campaign to save 20 litres a day


    Britain is a nation of water wasters, according to a new Defra campaign launched today. The average household uses over 100,000 litres of water a year – that’s the equivalent of 317 pints or 150 litres per person per day.

    Taking steps now to use water wisely will help ensure the future of our water supply, help to limit the effects of climate change and protect the natural environment – and save money in the process.
    Fronted by TV presenter Kate Humble, the Act on CO2 campaign aims to help people to save 20 litres a day each with simple tips to reduce everyday water usage.
    Despite being an island – and our reputation for wet weather – the UK actually has less available water per head than many European countries including France, Italy and Greece. London, for example, has less annual rainfall than Rome, Paris or Naples. As pressure intensifies on our already limited water resources from a growing population, infrastructure development, lifestyle choices and climate change water is an increasingly precious resource we need to conserve.

    Defra 24th September 2009 Full Story

  • 17th Sept 2009

    Local Carbon Footprints Released Regional CO2 Emissions Results Released Today


    New climate change stats revealing the carbon footprint of every single part of the UK are published today.
    The statistics calculate the climate impact of the energy used by homes, businesses and road transport in each local authority area throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

    • The UK has already reduced its emissions by 21% on 1990 levels and is committed to a reduction of at least 34% by 2020
    • In today’s results the UK’s overall CO2 emissions dropped by2% between 2005 and 2007
    • Emissions have fallen in 335 out of the 434 local authorities in the UK
    • The North East had the highest emissions per person at 12.5million tonnes in 2007 but had the largest reduction between 2005 and 2007
    • Greater London had the least CO2 emissions per person at 6million tonnes in 2007

    Energy and Climate Change Minister, David Kidney said:

    “I am very encouraged by the results published today. Every community in the country is working to cut their carbon footprint. Local Authorities are at the heart of the community and as such can help in setting an example on tackling climate

    “We are helping people and businesses to save energy, cut emissions and save money. Amongst our plans, every home will have a smart meter to monitor energy use by 2020, millions more homes will be insulated, we’ll provide incentives for businesses to go green and we’ll be targeting support to vulnerable people who need it most.”

    DECC 17th September 2009 Full Story Full Story

  • SDUK09 Press


    At SDUK09 earlier this year, Professor John Beddington’s speech attracted global press coverage following his warning that the world faces a “perfect storm” of food shortages, scarce water and insufficient energy resources which threaten to unleash public unrest, cross-order conflicts and mass migration as people flee from the worst affected regions.

    Just some of the press reported from the day included:

    Guardian

    BBC News

    BBC News (print)

    BBC Radio 4

    The Independent

    Telegraph

    Daily Mail



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