Industry urges Gov to push ahead with zero carbon non-domestic buildings

The Government must urgently push ahead with plans to ensure all new non domestic buildings are built to zero carbon standards from 2019, a report from a UK-GBC industry Task Group warns.

The report, Building Zero Carbon – the case for action, argues that there is a “very strong economic case” for a robust definition of zero carbon, but that current efforts to meet higher standards are “fragmented and disparate” in the absence of a clear policy framework.

According to the report, this lack of clarity is “creating inefficiencies and the loss of global export opportunities” within the industry.

The Task Group of companies from across the buildings supply chain urges Government to restate its commitment to the 2019 target and set out a clear and ambitious definition of zero carbon. The last time Government publicly committed to the target was in December 2010.

UK Green Building Council chief executive Paul King said: “The business benefits of zero carbon non domestic buildings are huge, boosting innovation that could help to create export opportunities in excess of £1bn by 2050.

“Industry stands ready to invest in innovation and deliver higher standards in non-domestic buildings, but the Coalition’s failure to recommit to the 2019 target is holding it back. Government has dragged its feet over this issue for far too long to the detriment of both business and the environment, and must now act urgently to demonstrate it is serious about realising the vast economic benefits of this policy,” added King.

Sustainable developments executive at British Land, Sarah Cary, who chaired the Task Group, said: “With 2019 fast approaching, industry desperately needs clarity on an ambitious definition of zero carbon and a roadmap detailing how we’ll get there. The business case for action is simply too great to be ignored. Government must act now if the UK is to capitalise on this green growth opportunity and continue to lead globally on expertise in low carbon buildings.”

The report also calls on Government to create a ‘roadmap’ to 2019 and beyond which sets out the parameters of the zero carbon standard, enabling industry to invest in innovation and skills.

Zero carbon should also include an extended definition of regulated energy which covers more fixed building services such as lifts, escalators and over-door heaters, as well as other unregulated energy uses and embodied carbon beyond 2019.

Taken from: http://www.edie.net/news/6/Industry-urges-Government-to-push-ahead-with-zero-carbon-non-domestic-buildings-/

GIB alliance makes £50m available for energy efficiency projects

The UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) is putting up £25m in funding for public and private sector organisations wanting to implement energy efficiency projects.

Making the announcement, the bank says it is joining up with international equipment and vendor finance specialist Societe Generale Equipment Finance (SGEF), who will be adding the additional £25m to the fund.

The alliance will marry SGEF’s “strong track record in equipment financing” with additional capital and expertise from GIB, helping organisations reduce their energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the GIB, funding from the alliance will allow organisations to put in place energy efficiency measures without having to fund the finance upfront.

Projects could include combined heat and power plants, boilers, building retrofits, lighting and energy reduction technologies for production processes, among others.

UK GIB chief executive Shaun Kingsbury said: “Many organisations understand that energy efficiency measures make good commercial sense but, with few financiers in this space, they simply cannot afford the initial investment.

“Our partnership with one of the industry leaders allows these organisations to realise cost savings from day one without having to fund the capital upfront,” added Kingsbury.

Taken from: http://www.edie.net/news/6/GIB-alliance-offers–50m-to-finance-energy-efficiency-measures-/

All 20 Yorkshire bathing beaches pass water quality test

 

All 20 bathing beaches in Yorkshire have passed a test for water quality, the Environment Agency (EA) said.

Weekly tests were carried out during the 2013 season. Last year two of the beaches, Staithes and Sandsend, failed the water quality test.

The highest quality standard was met by 16 of the beaches, five more than the 2012 tests.

Trevor Hardy, of the EA, said: “We have seen one of the best set of results in 20 years.”

He added: “The Environment Agency has been working hard to reduce discharges and agricultural run-off… that can have a detrimental effect on water quality.”

The poorer results in 2012 were attributed to heavy rainfall during the year, according to the EA.

Gary Verity, from the Yorkshire Bathing Water Partnership, said: “We’re delighted to see all Yorkshire’s beaches have passed.”

Bathing waters that met the higher guideline standard were: Bridlington North; Cayton Bay; Danes Dyke Flamborough; Flamborough South Landing; Filey; Fraisthorpe; Hornsea; Robin Hoods Bay; Sandsend; Scarborough North Bay; Scarborough South Bay; Skipsea; Tunstall; Whitby, Wilsthorpe and Withernsea.

Bathing waters that met the mandatory standard were: Bridlington South; Reighton; Runswick Bay and Staithes.

The water quality standard is set by the European Bathing Water Directive.

Taken from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-24840835

Sustainable fishing – UK secures deal at EU negotiations

George Eustice secures sustainable fishing deal for UK at annual EU talks.

 

The UK government has today secured a deal that is good for both the sustainability of fisheries and the UK fishing industry at this year’s annual round of EU fisheries talks.

These were the first EU quota negotiations since agreeing the historic reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and it has been imperative that next year’s quotas are consistent with the new CFP. This has meant taking decisions based on three clear principles: following the available scientific advice; achieving sustainable levels of fishing (known as Maximum Sustainable Yield) by 2015 where possible and by 2020 at the latest; and reducing discards.

We have achieved this by securing for another year a vital freeze in the number of days fishermen can go to sea under the cod recovery plan. This gives fishermen the time they need to fish more selectively and avoid discarding perfectly good fish.

The UK also successfully negotiated a number of further concessions. These include:

• Days at sea kept at 2013 levels rather than reduced.
• Reducing cuts to a number of important fish quotas by providing sound scientific evidence to the Council including:
  • Celtic Sea: 75% cut to haddock reduced to 33%
  • West of Scotland: 20% cut to monkfish reduced to 10%
  • Irish Sea: 24% cut to nephrops (prawns) reduced to 9%
  • Eastern Channel: 45% cut to sole reduced to 18%
• Increased quotas for fishermen in many areas, including the following:
  • Channel: 15% monkfish;
  • West of Scotland and Irish Sea: megrim 20%; Rockall haddock 22%
  • Celtic Sea: 30% herring; 25% Bristol Channel plaice
  • Irish Sea: 5% herring
  • All UK waters: 49% hake
• Maintaining 2013 quotas for a number of flatfish stocks, such as lemon sole and witch.

Speaking from Brussels, Fisheries Minister George Eustice said:

Although these were difficult negotiations, I am pleased that we were able to secure the best possible deal for ensuring sustainable fisheries and a strong UK fishing industry.

It was my top priority to ensure that days at sea for fishermen would remain the same next year and that is exactly what has been achieved.

I entered these discussions with the firm belief that any decisions on quotas or days spent at sea need to be based on three clear principles; following scientific advice, fishing sustainably and the need for continued reduction in discarding. We stuck to these principles throughout.

North Sea cod quotas won’t be agreed until January 2014; however we will be pushing for a quota for cod which is consistent with achieving Maximum Sustainable Yield by 2015. There has also been broad recognition at this year’s negotiations that when dealing with mixed fisheries discards can be difficult to manage. That is why we have followed scientific advice by agreeing quotas that will reduce discards and help achieve sustainable stocks.

Many fish stocks are becoming healthier but some have a longer way to go and we have accepted quota cuts where these are necessary. We are also fishing more sustainably but further work can be done to make fishing methods even more sustainable. The UK has been praised for steps we are already taking to do this – including making strong progress on the selectivity of fishing gear and implementing our catch quota schemes which eliminate discards.

Other areas where we have achieved positive results include reducing the proposed cut in quota for Celtic Sea haddock and increased flexibility for fishermen to choose where they can catch monkfish. Both of these achievements will prevent discards of these stocks.

Taken from: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sustainable-fishing-uk-secures-deal-at-eu-negotiations

Government launches consultation on water abstraction reform

The Government is aiming to “modernise” the way water is abstracted from rivers and groundwater following the launch of a new consultation on license reforms.

Reforms announced by the Government will aim to introduce a more efficient and resilient water abstraction system that “protects the environment in the long-term”.

Proposals include linking the amount of abstraction allowed more closely with how much water is available; and making trading water much quicker and easier.

It plans on giving licence holders from industry and farming a greater incentive to use their water responsibly.

Defra Environment Minister Dan Rogerson said: “The old abstraction system is no longer flexible enough to deal with the challenges of climate change and a growing population.

“That is why it is crucial we introduce these new reforms to safeguard our environment in the future and allow the economy to grow,” he said.

Rogers has called on farmers, businesses, and water companies, to get involved in the consultation by providing their views on the proposals.

Water abstraction is currently controlled by a system of licences set up in the 1960s. At the time water supplies were not considered to be as limited as they are today.

The consultation runs from 17 Dec 2013 to 28 Mar 2014.

Taken from: http://www.edie.net/news/4/Government-launches-consultation-on-water-extraction-reform/

Energy Bill receives Royal approval

 

The Energy Bill has received approval from the Queen today completing the Bill’s passage through Parliament and establishing it as an act of law.

Long awaited, the Energy Bill has been the centre of controversy amongst energy companies, environmental groups and businesses since its first Parliamentary reading in November 2012.

Criticism over a missing 2030 decarbonisation target, the Government’s ‘strike prices’ for renewable technology and the speed the draft Bill was published have put it at the forefront of media reports and heavy debate.

However, the Bill’s ambition to encourage £110bn to update the UK’s aging infrastructure, replacing power plants and establishing a legislative framework for delivering secure, affordable and low carbon energy has been welcomed by both industry and environmental groups.

At the centre of the Bill’s investment drive is the Energy Market Reform (EMR), which aims to offer “stable and predictable incentives” for companies to invest in low-carbon generation.

In June, the Government set out strike price support levels for renewable technologies under the Contracts-for-Difference (CfDs) model, which intend to help renewables contribute more than 30% of total power by 2020.

Earlier this month, the Government announced support cuts to solar energy and onshore wind power, while offshore wind received stronger backing in efforts to align the Government’s renewables strategy to market conditions.

Financial support for onshore wind was cut by £5/MWh from 2015 onwards compared to the draft strike prices, the level of support for offshore wind has been increased by £5 per megawatt hour, from £135/MWh to £140/MWh.

Large-scale solar photovoltaic projects, meanwhile, will receive £120 per MWh in 2014-16, dropping to £115 in 2016-17 and £110 in 2017-19.

Under the orignal draft strike prices, solar was expected to receive £5 more p/MWh up to 2018.

Following solar support cuts, electronics giant Sharp announced this week that it was closing its photovoltaic panel production operations at its facility in Wrexham – a result of difficult European market conditions.

Taken from: http://www.edie.net/news/6/Energy-Bill-receives-Royal-approval-/

UK firms could save £300m a year by engaging staff in sustainability

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  UK workplaces are missing out on more than £300m a year in savings that could be achieved by engaging employees in energy efficiency and waste reduction, according to new research. Released today by the Carbon Trust, the research highlights … Continue reading →

Water rises to top as ‘most urgent’ sustainability challenge

Water scarcity, climate change and poverty are now society’s most urgent challenges according to hundreds of sustainability experts across the world.

Almost 900 qualified sustainable development experts and practitioners across more than 60 countries were asked for their views on the issues most urgent for particular industry sectors, and also which sectors were most accountable for reducing their impact on, or providing solutions for, each issue.

While water scarcity is a top concern for Europeans and those in emerging markets, climate change as an urgent issue trumped all others in North America. Within government, water scarcity and food security were ranked highest suggesting that among politicians, the two are strongly interlinked.

According to respondents, no one sector is managing the transition to sustainable development effectively. Despite this, all sectors except forest products were believed to have demonstrated some incremental improvement since 2000.

It was widely thought that the agricultural/food and beverage, oil/gas and chemical industries were seen as the most accountable industry sectors in terms of sustainability.

However their perceived low performance in managing the transition to sustainable development points to opportunities for leadership and collaboration. Of these industries, agriculture/food and beverage was best ranked in terms of sustainability performance.

Taken from: http://www.edie.net/news/4/Water-rises-to-top-as–most-urgent–sustainability-challenge-/

MEPs vote for tougher environmental reporting requirements for large firms

A key committee of the European Parliament has today voted in favour of mandatory environmental and social reporting for large companies.

The Legal Affairs Committee significantly strengthened the proposals put forward by the European Commission, which require all large European companies to disclose information in their annual report regarding their impacts on the environment and on human rights throughout their supply chains.

According to the European Coalition for Corporate Justice (ECCJ), the position raises the prospect of a heated stand-off with member states as some national governments are seeking to “water down” the Commission’s proposals.

The Parliament will now enter into negotiations with the Commission and Council on the future of the non-financial reporting reform.

Commenting on the outcome, coordinator of the European Coalition for Corporate Justice, Jérome Chaplier, said: “The Parliament is sending a clear signal that companies must be transparent about the impacts of their activities on people and the environment, wherever they operate.
Citizens are entitled to know if their clothes have come from an unsafe garment factory in Bangladesh, or if there are conflict minerals in their smartphone.”

Chaplier added that while it was disappointing that MEPs had not stepped-in to tighten loopholes in the proposal – including correcting the absence of specific monitoring and enforcement mechanisms – the proposals for mandatory reporting still represent an important step towards creating a level playing field across Europe.

The Parliament is expected to face tough negotiations with the Council where some member states are believed to be resisting a robust mandatory approach, and are pushing for the inclusion of wide-ranging exemption clauses to allow companies greater flexibility.

Chaplier said: “The Parliament must now remain firm in its position and stand up to those within the Council who are intent on negating the very purpose of this reform. Countries like the UK, Germany and Poland are trying to make the legislation meaningless. Improved corporate transparency is essential for workers, communities, consumers whose lives are affected by companies’ activities. This reform is in the interests of everyone.”

The European Commission estimates that just 2,500 out of 42,000 large European companies currently disclose environmental and social information.

The ECCJ argues that the voluntary nature of these reports and the lack of common standards mean that much of the information reported is effectively meaningless, or company greenwashing.

Taken from: http://www.edie.net/news/6/MEPs-vote-for-tougher-environmental-and-social-reporting-requirements-for-large-companies-/

UK is missing the boat on extracting value from waste, report warns

The UK is missing out on opportunities to extract greater value from its waste at home and abroad, according to a new report.

The report, published Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group, follows on from a six-month inquiry on the matter by former Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman.

It warns a lack of quality in the waste supply chain is limiting the UK’s export options and potentially holding back investment in domestic infrastructure.  The report further argues a greater drive in demand for recycled materials needs to be created within the UK marketplace.

Improved quality, the report claims, will develop economic opportunities both at home and abroad, providing jobs to the UK economy and boosting the balance of payments.

The report also highlights the urgent need for reform of the PRN/PERN system, to ensure that it never appears that export is incentivised to the detriment of the domestic market.

At a time when energy prices are front-page news, the report also investigates the export of an indigenous fuel supply – RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) and SRF (Solid Recovered Fuel) – to other EU and EFTA nations, and questions where opportunities may lie to use more of this ‘energy resource’ to the benefit of the UK.

The report makes more than 20 recommendations to central government and industry on how to build the most economically and environmentally robust system for waste and materials treatment, at home and abroad.

It also suggests that a percentage of revenue for the Government’s planned levy on plastic bags, due to come into force in England in 2015, could be used to fund a targeted communications campaigns around the area of materials capture and quality.

These recommendations are set in a framework of key findings which include:

• Given the increasing levels of RDF/SRF being exported, the current absence of sufficient treatment capacity in the UK and the inherent energy value in the waste stream, there is a need for greater clarity on the UK policy for how such material can best serve national needs.

• The ability of the UK to address the gap in reprocessing and thermal treatment capacity is being constrained by a lack of investment. In view of this, greater confidence should be given to the investment community through a range of fiscal measures to mitigate risk and manage growth.

Chair Caroline Spelman MP said: “The UK has made huge improvements in recent years in how it manages its waste and the sector is justifiably now seen as one of the UK’s economic and environmental ‘good news’ stories. Nevertheless, important reforms and improvements are still needed.”

The inquiry and final report was supported by the British Metals Recycling Association, Closed Loop Recycling, DS Smith Recycling and SITA UK.

Welcoming the findings of the report, BMRA director general Ian Hetherington said: “This nuanced approach to the waste export debate is refreshing as it recognises there is no single answer and that a range of different solutions are required depending on the material stream.”