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Latest Developments
Chris Huhne opens zero-carbon homes project - 13 September 2010
Secretary of State Chris Huhne today opened one of the UK's largest development of zero-carbon homes. SSE (Scottish and South Energy) has developed 10 eco-homes in Chalvey, Slough in a project designed to understand the changing role of the energy supplier in a low carbon socierty
Speaking at today's launch, Chris Huhne said
“Slough's project is a glimpse into the future of how we could all be living in years to come. Homes in the UK account for more than a quarter of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions so saving energy makes sense for the planet as well as the householders."
Capital markets in the spotlight in fight against climate change – 07 September 2010
Greg Barker launched the Capital Markets Climate Initiative (CMCI) at the London Stock Exchange today, where he highlighted the City of London’s potential to become a global hub for green finance and why low carbon investment is a huge opportunity for the UK’s financial services industry.
The CMCI aims to help unlock the private sector’s ability to help meet the $100 billion of new green investment required annually by 2020 to tackle climate change in developing countries.
Greg Barker said:
"The vital role of capital markets in tackling climate change has been overlooked for far too long. The finance needed to help developing countries become low carbon isn’t flowing at the rate and scale needed.I have convened today’s meeting to bring together our key players from the City and internationally to help drive green economic investment."
Boost for school solar power - 06 September 2010
Greg Barker visited Birchwood High School in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire today - the first school to benefit from a new scheme offered by renewable technology enabler, Our Generation.
The private sector funding has been secured by Our Generation as a result of the Government’s Feed in Tariff, launched in April of this year. It will enable hundreds of schools throughout Britain to have solar electricity systems installed free of charge and low-cost fixed price energy for 25 years.
Greg Barker said;
“The school children at Birchwood High are showing how going green is not only good for the planet but makes good financial sense too. Feed-in tariffs have given a much needed boost to the industry with great take up so far. The £50m investment being announced today by Our Generation means lots more schools across the country are going to be able to benefit from clean energy and lower fuel bills."
Local authorities to sell renewable electricity - 18 August 2010
The Energy Secretary has overturned the ban on councils selling renewable electricity.
Councils across Britain will now be allowed to sell renewable electricity to the grid and should assume their rightful place leading a local power revolution, Chris Huhne has said in a letter to all local authorities.
At present only 0.01% of electricity in England is generated by local authority-owned renewables, despite the scope that exists to install projects on their land and buildings.
Annual Energy Statement - 27 July 2010
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne set out 32 actions being taken to accelerate the transformation of the energy system and wider economy, in the first ever Annual Energy Statement to Parliament today.
Groundbreaking ‘2050’ analysis has been published alongside the Statement, including six illustrative ‘pathways’ showing that meeting the target of an 80% cut in emissions by 2050 is ambitious but achievable, and compatible with maintaining security of energy supplies.
A new online ‘2050 Calculator’ was also launched, that enables the public to explore the trade-offs in building a 2050 energy system.