Low Carbon News

Please click here for Low Carbon Group latest news

Energy Guardian

Saving energy through smart metering - click here for more information

 

 

Commons Select Committee:  The Green Economy

The Committee will examine the concept of a green economy in the UK, what it should look like, and how it will help deliver sustainable development. The Committee also wishes to examine the barriers preventing the transition to a green economy and the Government’s role in tackling these and creating the conditions necessary for a green economy to thrive.
The Committee is interested in receiving written evidence that looks at the following themes of the inquiry:
The economic, social and environmental outcomes that a green economy should aim to deliver, and the appropriate tools and indicators to monitor progress towards such outcomes;
The nature of any barriers preventing the transition to a green economy;
The approach required to deliver a green economy, and the aspects of the current economic model that require development, eliminating and/or new approaches found. What tensions might there be between economic growth and the green economy? Would ‘greening’ the economy deliver the outcomes needed?;
The policy and institutional ‘framework’ required to create the right conditions for the green economy to thrive, and whether the Government’s forthcoming Green Economy Roadmap provides this framework. Does the Roadmap deliver a clear vision of the green economy?;
Priorities for action, including those sectors of the economy crucial for creating the conditions for a green economy;
The role of consumers, businesses, non-government organisations, and international bodies in delivering, and stimulating demand for, a green economy;
Whether any models that more closely resemble a green economy exist elsewhere that the UK should aspire to; and
How the UK’s policies to deliver a green economy relate to actions needed to deliver a the global green economy (a theme of the June 2012 Rio Summit).
The Committee invites organisations and members of the public to submit written evidence, setting out their views on these issues. More wide ranging responses are also welcome. Submissions should ideally be sent to the Committee by Friday 26 August 2011, although later submissions may be accepted.
For more information please visit:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/environmental-audit-committee/news/new-inquiry-the-green-economy/

Please click here for related article and documents

 

The Committee will examine the concept of a green economy in the UK, what it should look like, and how it will help deliver sustainable development. The Committee also wishes to examine the barriers preventing the transition to a green economy and the Government’s role in tackling these and creating the conditions necessary for a green economy to thrive.

 

The Committee is interested in receiving written evidence that looks at the following themes of the inquiry:

 

The economic, social and environmental outcomes that a green economy should aim to deliver, and the appropriate tools and indicators to monitor progress towards such outcomes;

  • The nature of any barriers preventing the transition to a green economy;
  • The approach required to deliver a green economy, and the aspects of the current economic model that require development, eliminating and/or new approaches found. What tensions might there be between economic growth and the green economy? Would ‘greening’ the economy deliver the outcomes needed?;
  • The policy and institutional ‘framework’ required to create the right conditions for the green economy to thrive, and whether the Government’s forthcoming Green Economy Roadmap provides this framework. Does the Roadmap deliver a clear vision of the green economy?;
  • Priorities for action, including those sectors of the economy crucial for creating the conditions for a green economy;
  • The role of consumers, businesses, non-government organisations, and international bodies in delivering, and stimulating demand for, a green economy;
  • Whether any models that more closely resemble a green economy exist elsewhere that the UK should aspire to; and
  • How the UK’s policies to deliver a green economy relate to actions needed to deliver a the global green economy (a theme of the June 2012 Rio Summit).

The Committee invites organisations and members of the public to submit written evidence, setting out their views on these issues. More wide ranging responses are also welcome.  

For more information please visit:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/environmental-audit-committee/news/new-inquiry-the-green-economy/

 

Go Low Carbon and Stand Out from the Crowd

Please click here for related article and documents

 

“To differentiate any business from its market competition, it has to stand out from the crowd – one way that manufacturers can gain a commercial edge is to start investing in renewable or low carbon initiatives and technologies in order to take advantage of growing business opportunities arising from responsible manufacturing,”

David Caddle, Programme Manager for the region’s Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS).

 

It has been reported that businesses who voluntarily report on their greenhouse gas emissions experience benefits such as cost savings by managing energy consumption and emissions more effectively.

 

Defra, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has a consultation open regarding the potential for compulsory reporting of carbon emissions, so the interest and need for action has come under increased focus.

 

To support and help manufacturers on the road towards sustainability in addition to achieving an increasing sales pipeline, MAS South East recently launched a simple to use Carbon Footprint Calculator to help SMEs take advantage of the benefits associated with carbon footprint reporting – manufacturers that have already used the calculator are benefiting from at least a 20% saving on their energy bills. MAS South East designed the calculator in association with Carbon Footprint, a dedicated carbon management company.

 

To get started follow the online link:
http://www.mas-se.org.uk/resources_local/carbon-footprint-calculator-1/

The Carbon Footprint Calculator will quickly calculate environmental impact, and provide a free assessment report clearly explaining the results and mapping out practical steps for immediate improvements.

 

Up to £1,000 towards reducing your business travel costs.

Click here for more information.