Showing posts with label Government policy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Government policy. Show all posts
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Thursday, 2 July 2009
The Road to Copenhagen
On the 26th June the Department of Energy and Climate Change launched their document 'The Road to Copenhagen'. The introduction states the following:
"In December 2009, Denmark will host a major United Nations conference in Copenhagen. At this conference, a meaningful global agreement must be reached to tackle climate change for when the current Kyoto protocol - governing reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases - expires in 2012.
Climate change is a global threat, and Copenhagen represents our best opportunity yet to tackle it effectively. The UK Government is aiming to reach an ambitious agreement at Copenhagen, supported by effective domestic action. Together with our EU partners we have already made a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2020, with an offer to reduce emissions by 30% if an ambitious global deal is agreed. "
The UK document is very closely based on the Stern Review which commissioned by the UK Treasury and published in 2007. This is a document all about the economics of climate change and it is hard going! However Nicholas Stern has fortunately published a book this year entitled 'A blueprint for a safer planet' which summaries the Review in layman's terms. This book is pretty hard work but the effort is definitely worth it.
It makes the case for global cuts in emissions by 2050 of 50% - argues why the developed countries need to cut by 80%. It sets out how the cap and trade system would work and why it would be effective.
It sets out how a global fund is needed to stop deforestation and why technologies to combat change must be shared. In addition he makes the strong link between solving climate change and solving global poverty.
I was left with the feeling that there is a plan which would work - this is the plan essentially in the DECC document but my goodness it is complex and needs the whole world to pull together and make it work rather than playing brinkmanship politics. The challenge of Copenhagen.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
80% by 2050 - legal assent
80% by 2050 is now legally binding! The Climate Change Bill received Royal Assent on the 1st Dec.. The Climate Change Committee has been set up to over see monitoring - they have have new web site - see here.
The CCC have recommended a 34% (cf 1990) cut in CO2 emissions by 2020 - see their press release here.
In addition they have published a huge document on creating a low carbon economy based on the new legislation. This is clearly and important document which I have yet to read - it is downloadable here.
This is important stuff - visit the web site - 34% cuts in CO2 in 12 years time is a stiff target which can only be achieved by major change
The CCC have recommended a 34% (cf 1990) cut in CO2 emissions by 2020 - see their press release here.
In addition they have published a huge document on creating a low carbon economy based on the new legislation. This is clearly and important document which I have yet to read - it is downloadable here.
This is important stuff - visit the web site - 34% cuts in CO2 in 12 years time is a stiff target which can only be achieved by major change
Monday, 27 October 2008
Austrialian 'Stern' Report - gloom and doom
A report in Australia by economist Ross Garnaut billed as the Australian Stern Report states that carbon pollution levels are rising so fast that the world has no realistic chance of hitting ambitious climate targets set by Britain and the G8.
Since 2000, the Garnaut report says, global carbon emissions from fossil fuel use have grown by 3% each year, as economies of developing countries including China have boomed. This compares to annual growth rates of 2% through the 1970s and 1980s, and just 1% in the 1990s.
See the Guardian for further details
Since 2000, the Garnaut report says, global carbon emissions from fossil fuel use have grown by 3% each year, as economies of developing countries including China have boomed. This compares to annual growth rates of 2% through the 1970s and 1980s, and just 1% in the 1990s.
See the Guardian for further details
80% by 2050 to include aviation and shipping
Ed Miliband has agreed with environmental campaigners that the Climate Change Bill targets suggested by the Committee on Climate Change and agreed by the Government - see here should also include emissions from aviation and shipping.
Full details in today's Guardian.
This is amazing stuff - the speed that such huge cuts have been agreed and the 'ease' with which shipping and aviation has now been included almost implies 'they' know something we don't .....!
Full details in today's Guardian.
This is amazing stuff - the speed that such huge cuts have been agreed and the 'ease' with which shipping and aviation has now been included almost implies 'they' know something we don't .....!
Friday, 17 October 2008
Ed Milliband signs up to the Committee on Climate Change
The Government has signed up to the 80% cuts in CO2 by 2050 recommended by the Committee on Climate Change. This is excellent news and has received widespread praise.
There is however some concern being voiced that shipping and aviation have been excluded from these targets. No doubt this battle will continue. For more details see here.
There is however some concern being voiced that shipping and aviation have been excluded from these targets. No doubt this battle will continue. For more details see here.
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Committee on Climate Change
The title of this blog is coming true.
The Committee on Climate Change has made its first pronouncement on how the country / government should implement the Climate Change Bill.
Headed up by Lord Adair Turner they have said that the country needs to cut emissions by at least 80% by 2050. In addition they have said we need to have stopped using fossil fuels completely within 20 years.
These targets should also apply to shipping and aviation.
Amazing - ok, saying it is easier than doing it but it is a fantastic start. There are some really difficult decisions just ahead of us - a third runway for London? - a coal fired power station in Kent? - a barrage for the Severn?
This tied in with appointment of Ed Milliband in the new Department of Energy and Climate is for me a real ray of hope in the often depressing world of climate change politics.
All we have to do now is turn the Climate Change Bill into an Act of Parliament - a job for November
The Committee on Climate Change has made its first pronouncement on how the country / government should implement the Climate Change Bill.
Headed up by Lord Adair Turner they have said that the country needs to cut emissions by at least 80% by 2050. In addition they have said we need to have stopped using fossil fuels completely within 20 years.
These targets should also apply to shipping and aviation.
Amazing - ok, saying it is easier than doing it but it is a fantastic start. There are some really difficult decisions just ahead of us - a third runway for London? - a coal fired power station in Kent? - a barrage for the Severn?
This tied in with appointment of Ed Milliband in the new Department of Energy and Climate is for me a real ray of hope in the often depressing world of climate change politics.
All we have to do now is turn the Climate Change Bill into an Act of Parliament - a job for November
Monday, 17 March 2008
Measuring the UK's greenhouse gas emissions
A new report from the National Audit Office has suggested that greenhouse gas emissions might be 12% higher than reported because DEFRA has used two different accounting systems.
The system the government uses to report to the UN (which shows a cut in greenhouse gases) shows the UK emitted 656m tonnes of CO2 in 2005.
The more accurate and more up to date system (which shows a rise in greenhouse gases) shows the UK emitted 733m tonnes of CO2 in 2005
Down load the report here.
Surely if emissions are rising we need to be honest about it and then amend policy accordingly?
The Secretary of State Hilary Benn responds - you decide if enough is being done.
The system the government uses to report to the UN (which shows a cut in greenhouse gases) shows the UK emitted 656m tonnes of CO2 in 2005.
The more accurate and more up to date system (which shows a rise in greenhouse gases) shows the UK emitted 733m tonnes of CO2 in 2005
Down load the report here.
Surely if emissions are rising we need to be honest about it and then amend policy accordingly?
The Secretary of State Hilary Benn responds - you decide if enough is being done.
Friday, 14 March 2008
The Green Budget!
Ho hum - lots of mixed messages but perhaps some indications of future actions?
Darling suggested that the Climate Change Bill would probably have to 'recommend' 80% CO2 cuts by 2050 rather than the published 60% cuts. Good stuff but ...
how to achieve 80% cuts?
and positive noises about carbon neutral homes
and of course the plastics bags! If supermarkets don't reduce plastic bag then the government will legislate.
In order to cut emissions by 80% its going to need more than a plastic bags ban surely?
Darling suggested that the Climate Change Bill would probably have to 'recommend' 80% CO2 cuts by 2050 rather than the published 60% cuts. Good stuff but ...
how to achieve 80% cuts?
- defer the fuel escalator - well, no that wont help....
- promote more new roads - well, no that wont help....
- promote new runways at Heathrow and Stanstead - well, no that wont help....
and positive noises about carbon neutral homes
and of course the plastics bags! If supermarkets don't reduce plastic bag then the government will legislate.
In order to cut emissions by 80% its going to need more than a plastic bags ban surely?
Friday, 7 March 2008
New coal fired power station - surely not?
"Climate change activists are to target the site of the proposed new coal-fired power station with a week-long camp in Kent this summer, organisers announced today.
The Camp for Climate Action will be held from August 4-11 at the site of Kingsnorth in Kent, where German energy company E.On is proposing to build the country's first new coal-fired power station in 30 years." reports the Guardian - surely the Government will block this - otherwise our climate change policy is in tatters?
Where is Swampy - everyone look for swampy - we need him more than ever!
Thursday, 6 March 2008
Green taxes and government policy - its a ghetto out there
The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has published a major new report
The 2007 Pre–Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review: An environmental analysis
The report can be downloaded in full from here.
In summary the report concludes:-
environmental taxes as a proportion of all taxation peaked at 9.7% in 1999 and have declined ever since, falling to 7.3% in 2006
Overall, environmental issues appear to be ‘ghettoised’; the Treasury must do more to mainstream environmental policy by reflecting it more strongly throughout the entire range of PSAs.
Although the Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review were published a year after the Stern Review, there was little sign in them that the Treasury was responding on the scale and with the urgency Stern recommended. Furthermore, since the Stern Review was published the science on climate change has continued to harden, with global emissions rising faster than projected; thus the Treasury’s lack of urgency stands out as even more remiss. Pre-Budget Report 2008 must establish a coherent set of measures to help deliver the UK’s 2020 domestic and EU targets on emissions and renewable energy, and show explicitly what their planned contribution to this delivery will be.
The 2007 Pre–Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review: An environmental analysis
The report can be downloaded in full from here.
In summary the report concludes:-
environmental taxes as a proportion of all taxation peaked at 9.7% in 1999 and have declined ever since, falling to 7.3% in 2006
Overall, environmental issues appear to be ‘ghettoised’; the Treasury must do more to mainstream environmental policy by reflecting it more strongly throughout the entire range of PSAs.
Although the Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review were published a year after the Stern Review, there was little sign in them that the Treasury was responding on the scale and with the urgency Stern recommended. Furthermore, since the Stern Review was published the science on climate change has continued to harden, with global emissions rising faster than projected; thus the Treasury’s lack of urgency stands out as even more remiss. Pre-Budget Report 2008 must establish a coherent set of measures to help deliver the UK’s 2020 domestic and EU targets on emissions and renewable energy, and show explicitly what their planned contribution to this delivery will be.
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