Regulation and policy...
UK: EU Emissions Trading Scheme
View the UK national allocation plan for Phase 2 of this EU scheme which will start in 2008 covering fuel only (not electricity) at sites with a thermal capacity exceeding 20MW plus a list of particular sectors. The UK's plan is unusual in that it has been approved. See also the EU ETS home page.
UK: Climate Change Bill
View details of the Bill and associated consultation process (deadline 12 June 2007). The Bill seeks to make the UK’s targets for a 60% reduction by 2050 and a "26 to 32%" (ie 26%) reduction by 2020 legally binding. It also promotes a new system of legally binding five-year “carbon budgets”, set at least 15 years ahead. Could this be a move towards effective mineral-carbon rationing? See V.V.'s May 2005 discussion paper on this.If you prefer, you can just read the summary or the consultation pack separately.
International: "Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis"
This is the summary of the fourth assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (the scientific authority on the subject). Published in February 2007 with the full body of the report to follow.
Stern Review
Read the summary of this October 2006 report commissioned by the UK government. It is the first major review to evaluate the costs of climate change and to relate economic data to it; by all accounts it has been internationally influential.
EU: An Energy Policy for Europe
Proposed by the coomission in January 2007 and agreed by the Council of Ministers in March 2007. Significant recommendations relating to a low-carbon economy are:There are also recommendations relating to the commercial separation of generation and distribution network services, but these could be counterproductive if they lead to lower prices.
- 20% of energy generation from renewables by 2020.
- Biofuels for transport to be 10% by 2020.
- Energy efficiency: 20% reduction in demand by 2020 relative to 1990 (cf Kyoto 8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions).
EU: Energy efficiency action plan
This proposal was put forward by the EU Energy Commissioner in October 2006.
EU: Measuring instruments directive
This is a directive intended to unify the use and approval of measuring devices used in the supply and payment for products and goods to EU consumers [measurement "subject to legal metrology"]. It comes into force in October 2006 and ranges from petrol pumps through to water, gas and electricity meters and is aimed at consumer protection. [more...] 29/06/06
UK: 2006 Building Regulations
Ministerial statement Wednesday 22nd Feb seems to say broadly:There's a link to the September 2005 draft Approved Documents under the 'See also' section of the above-mentioned ministerial statement. The new regulations call for the building's carbon emissions to be calculated by a 'National Calculation Method', which can be done using the free Simplified Building Energy Model. The revised regulations implement parts of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (not certification, labelling nor energy inspection of plant).
- New build and major works are to comply with 2006 Approved Documents (ADL2A for non-domestic) unless you have full plans approval before April 6th 2006 and start on site within one year.;
- Smaller works are to comply with 2006 Approved Documents unless contracts signed before April 6th 2006 and work starts within 6 months.
Thanks to John Field for keeping us informed on this topic. He has also contributed an article. V.V. 1 Mar 06
Could carbon supply constraints be the answer?
Comments please: this discussion paper suggests that we can only be sure of meeting our Kyoto obligations if we constrain total carbon supply to the UK economy, rather than just a proportion of CO2 output as at present. 14 May, 2005
Climate Change Agreements
Companies with CCAs have reporting requirements that are at odds with the requirement for effective energy management. Click here to see main article (V.V. 24 Apr 05)