News
Local authorities
Local authorities have been told to start finding ways to monitor their carbon emissions before new legislation comes into force. The think-tank, the Local Government Information Unit, has said it expects the Energy White Paper to set new objectives for energy efficiency. The White Paper, which is expected to be published in the coming month, is also expected to detail targets fore the use of renewable sources of energy and to include a package of measures to cut carbon dioxide emissions from consumers, businesses and organisations such as councils. The LGIU is also anticipating the inclusion of an "energy performance commitment" that will create an emissions trading scheme for businesses and organisations that are not energy intensive, including larger local authorities such as county councils.
Eco-Towns
Gordon Brown's proposal to build five eco-towns could be the start of something exciting in Britain - as long as he doesn't lose his nerve.
Guardian website 15th May 2007l
Yorkshire Biomass
FARMS and small businesses in North Yorkshire are being given the chance to slash bills by introducing the next generation of environmentally friendly heating systems. A new project is being officially launched tomorrow to encourage farmers, hotel owners and other entrepreneurs across the North York Moors to look towards biomass boilers for their properties. The heating and hot water systems, which are powered by wood chippings, are being heralded as a means of reducing the cost of bills by up to a third. Vast swathes of woodland across rural North Yorkshire provide an easily accessible and sustainable resource to power the biomass technology, which is also giving an alternative source of income for the nation's beleaguered timber industry.
Eco-Cities
Some 500 US mayors pledged on Tuesday to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Kyoto Protocol, signaling their objections to the environmental policies of President George W. Bush.
Ken Livingstone has helped to broker a historic “green” deal to slash carbon emissions. The London Mayor lined up with 14 world city leaders to back a £2.5 billion pollution-busting plan fronted by Bill Clinton in New York. The Retrofit scheme, funded by five multinational banks, will provide loans for businesses to install eco-friendly measures such as wind turbines and solar panels on ageing buildings. Firms would pay the cash back through the resulting cuts in their energy bills.
