Department of Energy and Climate Change

09 April 2010 - Press Release - Energy Bill receives Royal Assent

Fri, 9 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Energy Bill received Royal Assent yesterday, becoming the Energy Act 2010.

The main elements of the new Act are:

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) – delivering a new financial incentive to bring forward four commercial scale demonstration projects on coal-fired power stations and to support the retrofit of additional CCS capacity to those projects should it be required at a later date.
Mandatory social price support – creating a framework to mandate energy companies to provide support to the fuel poor, including powers to give greater guidance and direction on the types of households eligible for future support and the type of support they should be given.
Clarifying Ofgem’s remit – making it clear that Ofgem must:
o include the reduction of carbon emissions and the delivery of secure energy supplies in their assessment of the interests of consumers
o step in proactively to protect consumers as well as considering longer term actions to promote competition
Tackling market power exploitation – giving Ofgem additional powers to tackle market exploitation where companies might take advantage of constraints in the electricity transmission grid.

Other measures are:

Requiring the Government to prepare regular reports on the progress made on the decarbonisation of electricity generation in Britain and the development and use of CCS.
Extending the time limit from 12 months to 5 years within which Ofgem can impose financial penalties on energy suppliers for breaches of licence conditions.
Allowing the Government to set the period within which energy companies must inform customers of changes to their gas and electricity tariffs.
Enabling action to be taken against unfair cross-subsidy between gas and electricity supply.

Notes for Editors:

1. The Department of Energy and Climate Change is central to the UK Government’s leadership on climate change. We are pushing hard internationally for ambitious effective and fair action to avert the most dangerous impacts. Through our UK Low Carbon Transition Plan we are giving householders and businesses the incentives and advice they need to cut their emissions, we are enabling the energy sector’s shift to the trinity of renewables, new nuclear and clean coal, and we are stepping up the fight against fuel poverty.

8 March 2010 - Lord Hunt speech - Nuclear conference, Paris

Wed, 7 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Good morning and thanks to the French Government and the OECD, the IAEA for their hospitality and the warm welcome to this important conference.

So I’m grateful to have the opportunity to talk to you about the UK’s new civil nuclear programme which we launched in 2008.

We are convinced that nuclear energy offers significant benefits all round. From getting to a low carbon society to developing cutting edge technologies and creating a skilled workforce.

The low carbon vision

The 2008 Climate Change Act made the UK the first country in the world to set legally binding “carbon budgets”.

These five year budgets commit the UK to cut its emissions by 34 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050, through investment in energy efficiency and clean energy technology. Already on emissions we are down by over 20 per cent - double our Kyoto target.

We are promoting energy efficiency in homes transport and business. On the supply side we are promoting diversity of low carbon sources, through renewables, carbon capture and storage technology and nuclear energy.

So nuclear, has a crucial role to play in achieving our low carbon future and securing our future energy security.

The UK Government is working very hard to create the right conditions in the UK for investment in new nuclear power stations.

And already energy companies have announced plans to build up to16 GW of new nuclear power by 2025. We expect the first plant to be operational in 2018.

And to support these changes, we are building an electricity grid with larger capacity and the ability to manage greater fluctuations in electricity demand and supply.

France and the UK are two countries with a rich nuclear heritage, who are today supporting and learning from each other. There have been many exchanges between France and the UK regarding decommissioning of graphite reactors and sodium cooled reactors. Also on geological disposal. And not forgetting that we are working with the CEA with a view to entering an agreement on research in relation to reactor decommissioning.

Skills

Then there is the Skills Agenda. we know the necessity of investing in our nuclear workforce and I applaud the creation in France of a Masters in Nuclear Energy, open to International students. The President spoke of this earlier today.

In the UK, we launched a National Skills Academy for Nuclear and we have invested over £3 million so far. The Academy was set up jointly with employers to address the gap in skills on challenges like; fuel cycle, waste management, decommissioning, and now new build.

Just as the re-emergence of nuclear power in the UK offers great career opportunities for thousands of workers. So, too, for a UK supply chain.

Supply Chain

The global nuclear renaissance provides a multi billion pound opportunity for those industries involved in the supply of goods and services; required for the construction, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning of nuclear power stations.

One of our primary objectives is to help create a globally competitive UK nuclear supply chain, focusing on value for money.

And our plans to build up to 16 GW of new nuclear capacity has a market value of roughly £30 billion.

We are always looking at ways to help business in the UK to make the most of the opportunities available in the global civil nuclear industry.

And the UK government, will see to it, that any “pinch points” in the global supply chain, do not lead to delays in new nuclear build.

But just as we see enormous benefits in civil nuclear power we should acknowledge the worry that some countries could try to use it as a cover to develop a weapons programme.

And we stand united in the fundamental belief that all countries should have the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy under the non-proliferation treaty.

Nuclear Fuels Assurances (NFA)

This is where the stability of the international market for fuel becomes so important.

Indeed we have reached a crossroads regarding the supply of nuclear fuel with the growth of civil nuclear power generation globally.

A number of states have expressed their intention to introduce or expand existing civilian nuclear power programmes. Uninterrupted access to fuel is vital if they are going to invest in new or expanded nuclear programmes.

So several suggestions have been put forward to the including the UK’s own Nuclear Fuel Assurance (NFA) proposal.

The model agreement we are drafting, with advice from the IAEA, can be adapted to fit other supplier states export control legislation. And this proposal will not be exclusive to the UK.

It will give confidence to recipient states, that their contracts to receive enriched nuclear fuel, will not be interrupted for ‘political’ ends by other supplier states.

The NFA, I hope, is enough to reassure emerging and developing nuclear states that fuel will be readily available to them; without the need to develop costly and complex indigenous enrichment programmes.

It is our intention to present the final NFA proposal to the IAEA Board of Governors for approval in the coming year. As soon as we are satisfied that we have the right support from potential recipient countries.

New nuclear is important for the UK and the world in terms of securing a secure and safe energy future.

This nuclear renaissance is a challenge that requires investment, innovation and integration on a scale never before seen.

But the imperative of creating a low carbon future means that we must rise to that challenge.

This conference means an important step towards that.

Thank you.

01 April 2010 - Press Release - Low Carbon Rewards Launch Today to Save Money for Homes and Businesses

Thu, 1 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Reducing energy use and small-scale electricity generation across Britain

The introduction today of two carbon cutting Government incentive schemes will see homes and businesses playing a key role in contributing to UK emissions reductions of at least 34% on 1990 levels by 2020 through improved energy efficiency and small-scale low-carbon electricity.

The Government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC EES) for organisations and Feed in tariffs (FITs) will help to save money on fuel bills, reduce carbon emissions and generate their own low-carbon electricity.

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband, said:

“From today the rewards for businesses and householders who act to cut their carbon emissions really start to pay off. It’s no longer simply about doing the right thing for the environment, it’s now a sure-fire financial investment.

“The UK is leading the way in tackling climate change. Organisations and householders can play a central role in leading the move to a low carbon economy whilst saving money on their energy bills.”

The offering to business – CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme

The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme launched today aimed at saving public and private sector organisations around £1billion per year by 2020 through cost effective energy efficiency measures that are not yet being taken up.

The aim of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme is to help change behaviour and will require large public and private sector organisations like supermarkets, hotels, hospitals, local authorities and central government departments, to improve their energy efficiency.

Participants’ performance will be published in the form of a league table.

All revenue raised from the sale of emissions allowances will be recycled back to participants with those who have increased efficiency receiving more of this money. Customers, clients and competitors will also to see that their organisation is a leader in tackling climate change. They will be able to generate further income from selling any unused permits.

Though the scheme officially launches today organisations have until September to register. Businesses can start saving on their bills immediately through implementing cost effective energy efficiency measures. By 2020 the scheme is expected to have delivered emissions savings of at least 4.4 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Environment Agency, which will be running the scheme, has hosted more than 115 events to raise awareness about the scheme as well as running regional workshops and speaking events.

The offering to consumers - FITs

Individuals, organisations or businesses in England, Wales and Scotland who install low carbon electricity generation could benefit from FITs:

They will be paid money for every unit of electricity they generate.
They will get an extra 3 pence/kWh for every unit they don’t use that is exported to the grid.
They can also benefit from a reduced electricity bill where they use the electricity that they generate rather than having to buy all they need from the grid.

A typical 2.5kW, well sited solar PV Installation could offer savings of £140 a year plus earnings of £900 a year.

In addition to providing a contribution to meeting the 2020 Renewable Energy Target, the FITs will enable broad participation of individuals and communities in the shift towards a low carbon economy.

The feed-in tariff is a win-win for consumers. They will be paid for any electricity they generate themselves from low carbon sources and benefit from a cheaper electricity bill.

In Summary

Significant progress has already been made since the Low Carbon Transition Plan was published in July 2009, including in the key sectors of power generation, buildings and industry, and transport. The Government’s legally-binding ‘carbon budgets’ push the pace of change. UK emissions are already 22% down on 1990 levels. By 2020 they must be 34% less, on the way to 80% less by 2050.

Government is also setting an example, it is on course for reducing emissions from central Government offices by over 17% by 2011, exceeding the original target of 12.5%. It aims to save up to £300 million through energy saving measures across the public sector.

Notes to editors

The below organisations fall within the remit for CRC and would be happy to be contacted for media purposes;
- HILTON HOTELS Press Office contacts 020 7856 8076 or email: Jules.Kerby@hilton.com
- GUY'S AND ST THOMAS' NHS FOUNDATION TRUST Press Office contacts 020 7188 5577 or email: press@gstt.nhs.uk
- THE NATIONAL THEATRE
  Press Office contact details: 020 7452 3235 or email: press@nationaltheatre.org.uk
- LONDON FIRE BRIGADE
  Press Office contacts: 020 8536 5922 or email: press@london-fire.gov.uk
CRC is a UK wide scheme and the policy has been developed by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Department of the Environment Northern Ireland.
You can find further information at www.decc.gov.uk/crc . Guidance for scheme participants has been published by the Environment Agency. You can visit the Environment Agency website at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/crc or contact crchelp@environment-agency.gov.uk for more information.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change is central to the UK Government’s leadership on climate change. We are pushing hard internationally for ambitious effective and fair action to avert the most dangerous impacts. Through our UK Low Carbon Transition Plan we are giving householders and businesses the incentives and advice they need to cut their emissions, we are enabling the energy sector’s shift to the trinity of renewables, new nuclear and clean coal, and we are stepping up the fight against fuel poverty.

01 April 2010 - Press Release - DECC sets out gas strategy and consents to new Carrington Plant

Thu, 1 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The green light was given by the Government today for a 1,520 Megawatt Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power plant in Carrington, Greater Manchester. The consent accompanied publication of a number of papers setting out the Government’s strategy for ensuring secure UK gas supplies to 2020 and beyond.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said:

“As we make the transition to a low carbon future and our domestic gas reserves decline, we remain vigilant about maintaining energy supplies that are diverse and secure.

“While we remain alert, what was shown this winter when the gas market was tested by extreme circumstances is that the existing gas system is working well. Since 2005 we have facilitated a big increase in import capacity, gas storage capacity as well as improving the information available to the market.”

The Carrington power plant, owned by Wainstones Energy Limited, will have a construction period of about 30 months with full operation scheduled for 2013. The power plant is the first to be consented in line with new carbon capture readiness requirements and the company has prepared a plan explaining how they would retro-fit carbon capture and storage equipment to the plant in the future.

Published today:

The Government’s response to the Malcolm Wicks report ‘Energy Security: A national challenge in a changing world’. The response agrees with the importance of encouraging energy efficiency and adopting low carbon technologies in order to move towards a low-carbon economy. It highlights the mechanisms already being used to ensure the UK has access to energy imports that are affordable, secure and sustainable.
The Gas Security of Supply policy statement sets out what is being done to ensure secure gas supplies for the UK in the future. Options considered include: improved market transparency, enhanced financial incentives to balance demand and supply and strengthening shipper and supplier obligations. It also explains why the Government is not pursuing the idea of Government-commissioned gas storage.
The Call for Evidence on the new issues arising from the EU’s Third Internal Energy Market Package (“Third Package”). The UK has lead the way in getting the Third Package through EU Parliament. One of the key aims of the Package is to strengthen unbundling of transmission from supply, electricity, generation and gas production businesses to make EU markets more transparent.

Notes for editors

Public copies of the decision letter and consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 are available from John Swift, DECC, e-mail john.swift@decc.gsi.gov.uk or tel. 0300 068 5685.
The Gas Security of Supply policy statement is available here: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/uk_supply/markets/gas_markets/gas_markets.aspx
The response to the Malcolm Wicks report ‘Energy Security: A national challenge in a changing world is available here: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/change_energy/int_energy/security/security.aspx
The Call for Evidence on the EU’s Third Internal Energy Market Package is available here: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/eu_energy_mkt/eu_energy_mkt.aspx

31 March 2010 - Press Release - Government departments publish plans to tackle climate challenges

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Today the UK Government became the first in the world to publish plans that will set out how every major department will address the challenge of climate change in the UK.

The Carbon Reduction Delivery and Adaptation Plans detail each department’s commitment to minimise the damage of climate change, by reducing emissions and by preparing for inevitable change in the UK climate.

These plans are being published alongside a single overview of what Government is doing: Climate Change: Taking Action – Delivering the Low Carbon Transition Plan and preparing for a changing climate.

Publishing the plans Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said:

‘These plans demonstrate how each individual department will work to reduce emissions and adapt their own estates, operations and policies.

‘There can be no mistaking that some climate change is inevitable and we will need to adjust the way we live our lives to meet these new challenges and take advantage of new opportunities where possible. These plans are by no means the final word, but are a step towards the low carbon, well-adapted society that we need.’

Energy and Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock said:

“The overwhelming scientific evidence shows that human induced climate change poses a huge threat to the world and we must recognise the challenge this presents to all aspects of our economy and daily activities.

“These plans show Government’s clear and unwavering commitment to reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency and providing greater opportunities in the low carbon economy.
“The UK is a leader in international efforts to tackle the challenges of climate change. By linking each department’s primary objectives to the challenges posed by climate change, government will lead by example.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlights that countries will experience further warming over at least the next 30-40 years due to past emissions because of the time lag in the climate system. In the UK we are likely to see warmer, wetter winters and hotter drier summers with increased risk of coastal erosion and severe weather. The UK Climate Projections suggest a range of possible temperature rises of +0.8 to +4 degrees by the 2040s for different areas of the UK, compared to the 1961-1990 average temperature. Our actions now will determine how dramatic changes are in the longer term.

Carbon Delivery Reduction Plans set out for each department how the aims of the department relate to climate change, the measures they will be taking to ensure delivery of emissions reductions and the indicators and milestones being used to monitor progress. They are a recognition by Government that it is the responsibility of all departments to respond to climate change reflecting the fact that all activities have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

Departmental adaptation plans include measures to ensure that the agricultural sector is prepared for the changes in farming practices and can take advantage of new opportunities; adapting the built environment – from green infrastructure in urban areas, to how flooding risk is considered; investment to manage flood risk and coastal erosion; heatwave plans; encouraging adaptation skills in the economy from engineering, planning and architecture, to developing new products and services.

Alongside Climate Change Plans, the Government has also today published information on further work to help deal with climate change, including:

new Sustainable Development in Government (SDiG) indicator targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for its estates and operations across the whole of the Government estate and increasing the resilience of the Government estate to the impacts of climate change. Under the new targets, government will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 34 % by 2020 (from 1999/2000 levels) and increase waste recovery (recycling, external re-use, composting and energy from waste) to 80% of waste arisings by 2016/17.
new Government guidance to help Government departments and the public sector to use the procurement process to deliver well-adapted public buildings, services and goods
a discussion paper, The Natural Environment – Adapting to Climate Change, to stimulate debate about the future of our countryside in a changing climate.

Notes to editors

The Climate Change Act 2008 made the UK the first country in the world to introduce long-term legally-binding targets and five year carbon budgets. It requires the UK to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 34% below 1990 levels over the third budget period (2018 to 2022) and by at least 80% by 2050. The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan, published last July, set out how we would reduce emissions to meet our carbon budgets and announced that we were sharing the UK carbon budget between government departments to ensure that every part of Government is involved in playing its part in reducing emissions. The Act also introduced a framework for adaptation, including a UK Climate Change Risk Assessment every five years from 2012 to assess what a changing climate would mean for society, the economy and the environment and how we might best respond.
The UK Climate Projections were launched in June 2009: http://ukclimateprojections.defra.gov.uk. The Climate Change Reporting Power requires certain organisations including Government Departments to report on how they plan to adapt to climate change: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/legislation/reporting.htm
Climate Change: Taking Action – Delivering the Low Carbon Transition Plan and preparing for a changing climate can be downloaded at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/documents/taking-action.pdf or http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/lc_uk/carbon_budgets/departments/departments.aspx
The Low Carbon Transition Plan was published in 2009 and can be downloaded at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/publications/lc_trans_plan/lc_trans_plan.aspx
Defra’s Climate Change Plan can be downloaded at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/documents/climate-change-plan-2010.pdf
DECC’s Climate Change Plan can be downloaded at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/lc_uk/carbon_budgets/departments/departments.aspx
The UK’s sustainable development strategy Securing the Future designated the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) as the Government’s official sustainability watchdog, scrutinising and reporting on performance. The SDC will continue to monitor the UK Government’s progress against its new SDiG targets. For more information on the watchdog function, see http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/watchdog.html.
Adapting your procurement is a joint guidance produced by Defra and OGC aimed at all Government departments, the wider public sector and private sector contractors. Projects funded by the public sector have a long lifetime so to ensure the long-term sustainability of this spend it is important that adaptation is considered within procurement policy to ensure projects are able to adapt to the climate change they might face over their lifetime. Adapting your procurement guidance document can be downloaded at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/programme/government-systems.htm#procurement
Natural Environment – Adapting to Climate Change can be downloaded http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/documents/natural-environment-adaptation.pdf
The first eAuction for the UK Government’s new Carbon Offsetting Facility (GCOF II) was run by Buying Solutions on Tuesday 9 March 2010. This eAuction will supply Gold Standard Certified Emissions Reduction (CER) credits necessary to offset flight and some other emissions for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Office of National Statistics and the British-American Parliamentary Group. The eAuction facility allows suppliers on the GCOF II framework to compete to offer the best price to Government for supplying the credits. Essent Trading International SA won the first eAuction offering an average price on £12.34 per Gold Standard CER from a wind farm CDM project in China. More details about GCOF II are available at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/lc_uk/co2_offsetting/gov_offsetting/gov_offsetting.aspx n

31 March - Press Release - Government Kick-Starts Renewed Push for Global Climate Deal

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

PM co-chairs first international climate finance meeting
New international climate action plan published
Co-funding the delivery of up to 2,500 apprenticeships in the wind energy sector, in line with the sector’s ambition for the size of its workforce in 2017
Further £4.75m for renewables development

The UK has today kick-started a renewed push for a global climate deal as the Prime Minister co-chairs the most significant climate meeting since Copenhagen.

The UN Secretary-General’s High Level Advisory Group on Climate Finance to be held in Downing Street, will involve four heads of government, two finance ministers, Barack Obama’s chief economic adviser Larry Summers, and other key figures such as George Soros and Nick Stern. The group will look at how the world will deliver on its commitment to provide $100bn of public and private finance a year by 2020.

The Government has also outlined more support for the UK’s own low carbon transition with funding for renewables development and a consultation to ensure workers and businesses are prepared to take advantage of the growing need for green skills.

The Government is also setting out its plans to breathe new life into efforts to get a legally binding global treaty.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said:

“We’ve got to dust ourselves down and kick-start efforts to get a global deal, get the climate finance flowing and make sure the cuts promised by countries happen.

“We need to do this, not just for environmental reasons, but also for economic ones. In the UK, strategic intervention by the Government is unlocking green investment and generating jobs for the future. Low carbon growth will be stronger, and businesses will have greater certainty, when the world agrees to a legally binding deal.”

Today’s announcements include:

A new action plan on international climate change (‘Beyond Copenhagen: The UK Government’s International Climate Change Action Plan (1.4MB PDF) which shows what must be done to build on the progress made at Copenhagen. The plan sets out the Government’s belief that the low carbon transformation can be a major driver of economic growth and job creation – in the UK, in Europe and globally. In it the UK Government makes clear that:

It wants to build on the strengths of the Kyoto Protocol, and is open to extending that agreement as a way of getting the legal deal we need.
It is in favour of strengthening the UN decision making process that was so frustrating at Copenhagen.
It is pushing for the EU to increase its plans to cut emissions in line with comparable moves elsewhere, which is why we are supporting the European Commission’s work to identify the practical steps that would be required to implement a 30% target.

The Action Plan builds on the Copenhagen Accord, in which countries have put forward actions that, if delivered in full, would see global emissions peak before 2020, a key step towards achieving our 2 degrees goal.

A consultation on a new low carbon skills strategy which includes co-funding the delivery of up to 2,500 apprenticeships in the emerging wind energy sector, in line with the sector’s ambition for the size of its workforce in 2017. The joint consultation document produced with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills sets out what we know about the scale and nature of the low-carbon skills challenge, what we’re already doing to tackle it, and seeks views on what more needs to happen.

This follows the Government’s commitment to co-fund the delivery of up to 1,000 apprenticeships per year in the nuclear energy sector in the light of a report by Cogent, the Sector Skills Council for Nuclear Energy.

Further Education and Skills Minister Kevin Brennan said:

"One year on from our New Industry New Jobs commitment to drive growth in new sectors, we are continuing to invest in the skills and markets that are so vital to the UK's economy: especially low carbon.

"This is why we are talking to employers to understand their needs and why, with them, we are co-funding 2,500 apprenticeships in wind energy.

"We have listened to specialists and to the public and we will continue to listen through today's consultation on low carbon skills. We remain, as ever, dedicated to a low-carbon economy and to giving people the chance to get into a new career in a new industries."

Further measures to support the development of the renewables industry in the UK. This includes £4 million as part of a landmark partnership between DECC, Ministry of Defence, The Crown Estate and four wind farm developers, to fund a new radar for the Greater Wash that will address interference that can be associated with older types of radar.

This will allow the construction of one wind farm (Sheringham Shoal) and remove one of the barriers in considering the consent applications of other wind farms, as well as potentially a further 4-6GW offshore wind under Round 3 of the Crown Estate’s leasing for offshore wind development. A grant of £750,000 is also awarded for test facilities for micro wind turbines.

Last week Siemens, Mitsubishi and General Electric decided to locate manufacturing facilities in the UK, confirming the UK as the world’s top destination for offshore wind energy investment. This followed the Budget announcement of £60 million to develop sites close to ports suitable for turbine manufacturing, and the new £2 billion Green Investment Bank. Strategic intervention by the Government is unlocking this investment, generating a new industrial sector in the UK that could employ a high skilled workforce of 70,000 by 2020.

Government has also today became the first in the world to publish plans that will set out how every major department will address the challenge of climate change in the UK. The Carbon Reduction Delivery and Adaptation Plans detail each department’s commitment to minimise the damage of climate change, by reducing emissions and by preparing for inevitable change in the UK climate.

Notes to Editors

1. ‘Beyond Copenhagen: The UK Government’s International Climate Change Action Plan’ is available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk

2. The joint Decc and BIS skills consultation document - Skills for a Low Carbon and Resource Efficient Economy – is available at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/low_carb_skill/low_carb_skill.aspx and http://www.bis.gov.uk/lowcarbonskills.
Within this the Government has committed to:

• Co-fund the delivery of up to 1,000 apprenticeships per year to support decommissioning and new-build in the nuclear energy sector;
• Co-fund the delivery of up to 2,500 apprenticeships in the emerging wind energy sector, in line with the sector’s ambition for the size of its workforce in 2017.

3. The support for apprentices is subject to employers coming forward with Apprenticeship places in sufficient numbers, and are part of our plans to deliver an additional 35,000 advanced and higher Apprenticeships to young adults aged 19 to 30 over 2 years from September 2010.

4. Cogent’s report – also published today – outlines for the first time the employment opportunities that new nuclear reactors could bring, helping to build a clear picture of skills requirements in the sector.The report Next Generation – Skills for New Build Nuclear – is available at http://www.cogent-ssc.com/research/nuclearresearch.php

The £4.75 million for renewables development includes:
£750k for TUV NEL (a leading international technology services organisation). This includes £550,000 to develop 10 new test pads at the Myres Hill test site for public use by industry, certification and test organisations and £200,000 to carry out a research and development project which will examine how the testing process for micro wind turbines can be applied more efficiently with cost reductions, without taking away from the robustness of the MCS standards.

£4 million contributes to funding a Lockheed Martin TPS-77 air defence radar for installation at RAF Trimingham. The Crown Estate and several wind farm developers are also contributing to funding the new radar. The radar will remove military radar obstacles to the construction of 3.2GW of offshore wind in the Greater Wash and potentially a future 4-6GW in the Norfolk Round 3 zone. The project will deal with concerns on impacts on the existing air defence radar at RAF Trimingham.

5. ‘Climate Change: Taking Action – Delivering the Low Carbon Transition Plan and preparing for a changing climate’ can be downloaded at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/programme/across-government.htm or http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/lc_uk/carbon_budgets/departments/departments.aspx

6. The Department of Energy and Climate Change is central to the UK Government’s leadership on climate change. We are pushing hard internationally for ambitious effective and fair action to avert the most dangerous impacts. Through our UK Low Carbon Transition Plan we are giving householders and businesses the incentives and advice they need to cut their emissions, we are enabling the energy sector’s shift to the trinity of renewables, new nuclear and clean coal, and we are stepping up the fight against fuel poverty.

31 March 2010 - Press Release - Dr Helen Mounsey reappointed as chair of the Coal Authority

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Dr Helen Mounsey has been reappointed Chair of the Coal Authority, Energy and Climate Change Minister David Kidney announced today.

David Kidney said:

"Dr Mounsey has been extremely successful as Chair of the Coal Authority for the last three years. I am very pleased to re-appoint Dr Mounsey for a further term during which I am sure the Authority will continue to thrive and evolve.”

Notes for editors:

1. These appointments have been made in accordance with the requirements of the Code published by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

2. Dr Mounsey’s reappointment will commence on 1 October 2010 until 31 March 2013. Remuneration is currently £27,000 per annum.

3. Dr Mounsey was originally appointed as a Non-Executive Board member of the Coal Authority for a five year period from 7 November 2002 and subsequently made Chair in October 2007. She joined the consulting practice of PriceWaterhouseCoopers in 1989, becoming an Associate Partner with IBM Business Consulting Services following the merger of the two organisations in October 2002. Since leaving IBM in January 2009, she has continued to work as an independent consultant in the utilities sector, in parallel to her role as Chair of the Authority.

4. Dr Mounsey holds no other Ministerial appointments and is not engaged in any political activity.

5. The Coal Authority was established by Parliament in 1994 with specific statutory responsibilities associated with:

licensing coal mining operations in Britain
handling coal mining subsidence damage claims
property and historic liability issues, such as treatment of minewater discharges
providing public access to information on past and present coal mining operations
the provision of emergency call-out service for reported surface hazards.

Further details can be obtained at www.coal.gov.uk

6. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. No such activity was declared.

7. The Department of Energy and Climate Change is central to the UK Government’s leadership on climate change. We are pushing hard internationally for ambitious effective and fair action to avert the most dangerous impacts. Through our UK Low Carbon Transition Plan we are giving householders and businesses the incentives and advice they need to cut their emissions, we are enabling the energy sector’s shift to the trinity of renewables, new nuclear and clean coal, and we are stepping up the fight against fuel poverty.

30 March 2010 - Press Release - Insulation Made Easy By Britain's Top Businesses

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Today the launch of ‘Insulate Today’ brings together a group of leading businesses with Sainsbury’s Energy and ACT ON CO2 as part of a pilot scheme to make it easier, cheaper and more appealing for quarter of a million employees to insulate their homes and save hundreds of pounds in reduced energy bills.

Devised by we will if you will, ‘Insulate Today’ is a collaborative effort from Accenture, Aviva, HSBC, Sainsbury’s, ACT ON CO2, the Energy Saving Trust and EDF Energy.

The companies involved are committed to helping their employees lead more sustainable lives and the ‘Insulate Today’ initiative will demonstrate this by:

Working with Sainsbury’s Energy (a partnership between EDF and Sainsbury’s) to provide exclusive insulation offers to employees
Investing in additional incentives to encourage employees to take up the offers (e.g. offering installed insulation for free to a number of employees, giving away energy monitors to help keep bills down)
Using their extensive internal communication channels to ensure all employees can benefit

Last year British households wasted over £500m in energy bills through poor insulation with less than one in ten homes having the recommended amount. In fact, most homes can save around £160 every year by getting their loft and cavity walls properly insulated, reducing their carbon footprint in the process. Despite these significant savings, it remains a low priority for most householders who mistakenly believe it is difficult and expensive to install.

‘Insulate Today’ will play a role in meeting the government’s ambitious target of insulating all lofts and cavity walls in the UK by 2015 by directly accessing 250,000 employees via the internal communications channels of some of Britain’s biggest employers.

The Government’s recently launched ‘Green Homes, Warmer Homes’ strategy highlighted the need to overhaul the energy efficiency of Britain’s homes with ‘pay as you save’ green finance to make energy efficiency pay from day one, ensuring up to 7 million British households benefit from eco upgrades by 2020 and securing up to 65,000 jobs in the green home industry

Once the ‘Insulate Today’ pilot has been completed, results will be used to potentially develop a best practice template for large-scale nationwide employee engagement campaigns.

Joan Ruddock, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change said:

“The Government’s ambition is to see all lofts and cavity walls in the UK insulated by 2015. The ‘Insulate Today’ initiative will make a real contribution towards this target. As an extension of the government’s Act on CO2 campaign, Accenture, Aviva, HSBC and Sainsbury’s are helping their employees live more sustainable lives by offering exclusive insulation services in partnership with Sainsbury’s Energy. Employees will save themselves money and energy as a result.”

David Hall, Campaign Director, we will if you will said:

“Mobilising consumers to insulate their homes is a great opportunity to cut the nation’s carbon footprint and cut our energy bills at the same time but it requires an innovative and creative delivery model. The collaborative approach of we will if you will brings together a coalition of some of the UK’s biggest employers, helping us to target a massive audience through established and trusted channels of communication.”

-ENDS-

For more information please contact:
Jessica Forte at Behaviour Change, 07738006016, Jessica@behaviourchange.org.uk or
Sophie Knight at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, 0300 068 5217, sophie.knight@decc.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to Editors:

The total number of households in Great Britain is estimated at 26.2 million. Research shows that in 2009 an estimated £500 million was lost across Great Britain by householders paying for wasted heat (source: Department of Energy and Climate Change)
Cavity wall insulation saves around £115 every year. Loft insulation saves on average £45 every year. This makes a combined saving of £160. This figure is based on savings as of February 2010, for a typical three-bed semi-detached house, and topping up loft insulation. Savings will be higher for those with no existing insulation (source: Energy Saving Trust)
Organisations involved: o Businesses: Accenture, Aviva, HSBC and Sainsbury’s
Government: Department of Energy and Climate Change and ACT ON CO2
Other: Energy Saving Trust
Energy company: EDF Energy
The ACT ON CO2 campaign was launched in 2007 with the aim of encouraging change in behaviour through calculating an individual’s carbon footprint on the ACT ON CO2 carbon calculator leading to advice on reducing energy use. The UK was the first country to commit to internationally binding carbon targets and must meet an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.
we will if you will:

The pilot project is being run by we will if you will, which aims to deliver a series of new and unique collaborative efforts between business and civil society to encourage and enable people to live more sustainable lifestyles.

we will if you will (www.wewillifyouwill.org) is a non-profit initiative spearheaded by Dame Fiona Reynolds, Director General of the National Trust, and Ian Cheshire, Chairman of B&Q. The initiative aims to deliver a series of new and unique collaborative efforts between business and civil society to encourage and enable people to live more sustainable lifestyles. The first campaign, Eat Seasonably (www.eatseasonably.co.uk), launched in May 2009 aimed to reconnect the British public with the food they eat and the seasons in which it grows. The we will if you will campaigns are managed by social enterprise Behaviour Change (www.behaviourchange.org.uk).

The Department for Energy and Climate Change has also provided we will if you will with seed funding to centrally manage the campaign.

Department of Energy and Climate Change

09 April 2010 - Press Release - Energy Bill receives Royal Assent

Notes for Editors:

8 March 2010 - Lord Hunt speech - Nuclear conference, Paris

The low carbon vision

Skills

Supply Chain

Nuclear Fuels Assurances (NFA)

01 April 2010 - Press Release - Low Carbon Rewards Launch Today to Save Money for Homes and Businesses

Reducing energy use and small-scale electricity generation across Britain

The offering to business – CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme

The offering to consumers - FITs

In Summary

Notes to editors

01 April 2010 - Press Release - DECC sets out gas strategy and consents to new Carrington Plant

Notes for editors

31 March 2010 - Press Release - Government departments publish plans to tackle climate challenges

Notes to editors

31 March - Press Release - Government Kick-Starts Renewed Push for Global Climate Deal

Notes to Editors

31 March 2010 - Press Release - Dr Helen Mounsey reappointed as chair of the Coal Authority

Notes for editors:

See also:

30 March 2010 - Press Release - Insulation Made Easy By Britain's Top Businesses

Notes to Editors: