Research Briefing
The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme is a mandatory carbon emissions reporting and trading scheme for large public and private sector organisations. It is currently under review and if it cannot be simplified to produce “very significant administrative savings” for businesses, then it will be replaced by “an alternative environmental tax” on which the Government will consult in Autumn 2012.
Research Briefing
Changes to the building regulations are currently being consulted upon. These have led to press reports of a ‘conservatory tax’ of up to 10% on certain home improvements, through required associated energy efficiency measures. Reports have also said that people will be forced to take out green deal loans if they cannot afford to fund these improvements.
Research Briefing
This note summarises details of Solar PV feed-in tariffs, including the various reviews of tariffs for solar, the latest consultation published in February 2012, and the Government's defeat in the courts.
Research Briefing
EU countries are preparing to impose a new round of sanctions on Iran, to include an embargo on the import of oil. The US has also enacted new legislation which will target the Iranian central bank and make oil trading more difficult for Iran. Iran has responded with some threatening comments about closing the Straits of Hormuz, leading to a rise in the oil price. It has also signalled that it is open to re-starting talks. This note details these developments and gives some samples of recent expert commentary.
Research Briefing
This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Daylight Saving Bill.
Research Briefing
This note briefly surveys the final month's of Kim Jong-Il's rule in North Korea and, following his death on 17 December 2011, the rise of his youngest son, Kim Jong-Un, to power.
Research Briefing
Electricity substations, like overhead power lines and electrical appliances in the home, are sources of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields. These have given rise to health concerns and calls for protective legislation.
Research Briefing
Tar sands (oil sands) have potential to provide a significant fraction of future global oil demand but there are concerns, acknowledged in an EC Fuel Quality Directive, about their environmental impact, not least on greenhouse gas emissions.
Research Briefing
This note (March 2011) examines the policy and issues relating to carbon capture and storage and in particular, how it relates to coal-fired energy generation.
Research Briefing
The Government has a deadline of 30 June 2011 to set the UK's fourth carbon budget covering 2023-2027.
Research Briefing
This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Energy Bill. It complements Library Research Paper 11/36 (Energy Bill) prepared for the Commons Second Reading.
Research Briefing
This note looks at the role of energy from waste and incineration.
Research Briefing
This note outlines the development of EU energy policy since the Coalition Government first represented the UK at negotiations.
Research Briefing
The UK offshore oil and gas industry is important to the economy. The industry directly supports around 350,000 jobs and also provides around £8 billion annually to the Treasury in taxation. This note provides a summary of the state of the offshore oil and gas industries and sets out some of the key challenges for the industry.
Total results (page 24 of 28)