News
New campaign highlights sustainable living
Added: 07/04/2010
People across Britain are being encouraged to insulate their homes in a new campaign entitled organised by a collaboration of British companies calling themselves ‘we will if you will’.
The collaborative effort between Accenture, Aviva, HSBC, Sainsbury's, ACT ON CO2, the Energy Saving Trust and EDF Energy is dubbed ’Insulate Today’ and is designed to highlight the benefits of home insulation to around a quarter of a million employees.
Companies involved have pledged to help their workers live more sustainable lives by offering insulation offers, investing in incentives to encourage employers to take up the offers and using their communication channels to ensure that all workers can benefit.
We will if you will's campaign director David Hall, said the mobilisation of so many people is a "great opportunity" to reduce Britain's carbon footprint.
"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," he explained.
Led by National Trust general director Fiona Reynolds,’ we will if you will’ is running for five years and aims to highlight the appeal and accessibility of sustainable living.
Find out how to reduce your carbon foortprint and save money on your energy bills by calling the Snug as a Bug helpline on 0845 602 4696.
DECC data reveals 'promising reduction' in emissions, claims minister
Added: 07/04/2010
Data concerning the UK's greenhouse gas emissions has been published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
According to the figures from the DECC, provisional estimates for greenhouse gas emissions in 2009 are "very promising".
The data looks at the six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto protocol. These are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride.
In 2008, the total amount of these gases emitted was 628.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
For 2009, the provisional figures suggest that this fell by 8.6 per cent to 574.6 million tonnes.
Joan Ruddock, minister for energy and climate change, commented:
"We already know from our 2008 figures that we are well on track to exceeding our Kyoto target of 12.5 per cent below 1990 levels and are making good progress towards our first carbon budget target in 2012.
"These results indicate that we are still moving in the right direction."
Find out how easy it is to reduce your carbon footprint and save on your energy bills by calling the Snug as a Bug helpline on 0845 602 4696.
Report highlights need for low carbon technology
Added: 07/04/2010
According to a report from the energy and climate change committee, low carbon technologies are key to easing the UK into a low carbon economy.
The study, published this week, said that such technologies have the potential to "reduce the carbon intensity of processes at every stage of the energy supply chain".
As well as cutting down on emissions, new technology will create jobs and allow the economy to grow on a sustainable basis, the committee claimed.
While noting that efforts were being made in the renewables sector, the report looked at the obstacles which remain in place in the UK.
"Obtaining planning permission and public acceptance for new energy generation plans and wider infrastructure" was highlighted as a problem.
However, if the public and the government implement a good level of support for low carbon technology, the UK has the potential to dramatically increase its share of the low carbon and environmental goods and services sector, the report concluded.
UK prepares for smart meter roll-out
Added: 07/04/2010
Smart meters are set to become a feature in millions of British homes over the next decade as the government strives to meet its CO2 emissions targets.
While the government wants to see every home in the country fitted with a smart meter by 2020, British Gas said this week that it is planning to install two million in homes by the end of 2012.
MSN Money reports that, collectively, nationwide installation of smart meters will cost approximately £9 billion, which works out at £340 per household.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change is hoping that this cost can be offset by £14.5 billion of savings in reduced bills and operational costs, while others have suggested that energy companies will transfer their cost on to their customers' gas and electricity bills.
Government announces low-carbon incentive package for households
Added: 07/04/2010
The government has launched a new carbon cutting incentive scheme that it hopes will encourage households to support the country's emissions reductions targets.
It is hoped that the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme will save homes money on their energy bills, encourage more people to generate their own electricity using low-carbon means and reduce households' carbon emissions.
Ed Miliband, the secretary of state for energy and climate change, said that homes will soon be reaping the rewards for cutting their carbon.
"It's no longer simply about doing the right thing for the environment, it's now a sure-fire financial investment," he explained.
"Householders can play a central role in leading the move to a low carbon economy whilst saving money on their energy bills."
Homes in England, Wales and Scotland that install low-carbon electricity generation in their properties will now be made monthly for each unit of electricity they generate.
To find out howe to claim your government grant towards the cost of hoem insualtion, call teh Snug as a Bug helpline on 0845 602 4696.