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World's first commercial-grade hydrogen plane takes flight in UK, as government urged to grow 'green' hydrogen sector
The first flight of a hydrogen-powered, commercial-grade aircraft has been successfully completed in Bedford, while UK ministers face fresh calls to help scale up the domestic market for hydrogen produced using renewables.
Climate Week NYC: What happened on day one?
With COP26 postponed and many other large climate events postponed, rescheduled or moved online, all eyes are on Climate Week NYC. Here, edie rounds up the key announcements from the first day.
BEIS to review whether UK's oil and gas licencing regime is net-zero compatible
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will review whether its plans for the future oil and gas licencing regime are "aligned with tackling climate change" and compatible with the UK's 2050 net-zero target.
UK Government halves offshore wind cost forecasts
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has slashed its forecasts for offshore wind energy costs through to 2030 by more than half, in the first update to predictions since 2016.
UK's CCS deployment lacking 'comprehensive' planning on non-cluster sites
The UK's net-zero transition is lacking a "comprehensive regulatory framework" to overcome challenges to "dispersed" sites that would be suitable for carbon capture technology (CCS) but that aren't located in industrial clusters.
BEIS eyes CfD model to help scale-up UK's green hydrogen economy
Large-scale hydrogen projects with renewables could soon be included in the UK's Contracts for Difference (CfD) auctions, after a new government report identified the mechanism as a favoured option for scaling up 'green' hydrogen technologies.
'Crack on': Alok Sharma implores businesses to join £2bn Green Homes Grant
Business Secretary Alok Sharma has called on tradespeople across the UK to access the Government's new £2bn Green Homes Grants scheme to mobilise efforts to improve the energy efficiency of the UK's housing stock.
UK Government extends Climate Change Agreement tax breaks
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is extending its Climate Change Agreement (CCA) scheme for businesses by two years, following a consultation which highlighted its popularity.
UK broke renewable energy generation record in 2019, latest BEIS figures show
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published its latest annual energy statistics, revealing that a record 37.1% of the electricity generated in the UK in 2019 was renewable.
MPs question whether the UK's Industrial Strategy is fit-for-purpose
MPs on the BEIS Committee are launching an inquiry into the UK's Industrial Strategy, questioning whether major updates to the policy package are needed in light of the 2050 net-zero target and the Covid-19 crisis.
Government urged to spend £5bn to unlock £100bn green recovery
A group of businesses, mayors and political leaders have called on the Conservative government to spend £5bn to deliver on its promised manifesto pledges in order to unlock £100bn in capital investment on energy efficiency and create more than 300,000 green jobs.
CCC: UK's net-zero transition could be easier than first thought
The Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) chair, co-chair and chief analyst believe that the UK's transition to net-zero could be accelerated, rather than hampered, by the Covid-19 crisis.
Renewables accounted for record 47% of UK generation in first quarter of 2020
Renewable energy accounted for almost half of the UK's electricity generation between January and March 2020, it has been revealed.
UK proposes national Emissions Trading System to replace EU carbon market
The UK Government has published new proposals on its individual UK-wide Emissions Trading System (ETS) that would replace the EU's carbon trading variant.
BEIS approves UK's largest solar farm
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has this week approved what is set to be the UK's largest solar farm, located in Kent.
UK's largest solar farm expected to be approved
Development consent for what would be the UK's largest solar farm is expected to be confirmed by the Government this week, which could also see the world's largest energy storage system co-located at the site in the Kent countryside.
Government to introduce 'carbon threshold' for Capacity Market
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has outlined reforms to the Capacity Market auction system which will enable demand-side response technologies to bid for 15-year contracts while adding a carbon emissions limit to spur an increase of low-carbon assets offered contracts.
Government-funded Vehicle-to-Grid project completes grid balancing trials
A Government-funded Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) project has successfully participated in a trial aimed at providing real-time control of when and how electric vehicles (EVs) are charged and discharged to help balance the grid.
Petersberg Climate Dialogue: Alok Sharma rallies for global net-zero transition policies
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and COP26 President, Alok Sharma, spoke at the 11th Petersberg Climate Dialogue to call on nations to "set clear targets and policies" that are aligned to a rapid net-zero transition and will stimulate green economic growth.
Alok Sharma: 'Focus has not stopped' on global climate action
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Alok Sharma had stated that the UK remains focused on preparations for the delayed COP26 climate summit, claiming that nations can't treat the coronavirus pandemic and climate action as an "either-or" scenario.
Businesses called upon to consult on £300m energy-saving Climate Change Agreement
The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has launched a two-month consultation on an extension to the Climate Change Agreement (CCA), a legislative mechanism that enables businesses to save up to £300m annually on energy costs.
Ed Miliband named as BEIS Shadow Secretary
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband has made a return to front-bench politics after being named by the party's new leader Keir Starmer as the Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), giving him a key role in lobbying for green policy.
UK's domestic emissions fall 3.6% as renewables take record generation share
The UK's domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions underwent a 3.6% year-on-year fall in 2019 - during which time renewable energy rose to a record 36.9% share of electricity generation.
Calls for Government to secure biomass pipeline during coronavirus outbreak
Associations from the UK's biomass fuel supply chain have called for the UK Government to ensure the sector can continue to deliver low-carbon heating to households and business facilities that are still open and under increased pressure due to the coronavirus outbreak.
SMEs and households to benefit from energy efficiency clean technology trials
The UK Government has backed a new digital energy efficiency platform for SMEs to receive automated advice to save energy, in the same week that a smart homes project that uses AI technology on hot water systems to generate storage capacity and manage grid demand commenced.
Committee meetings with Claire O'Neill and Alok Sharma postponed
Due to the ongoing disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee session with former COP26 President Claire O'Neill and the Lords Committee meeting with her replacement Alok Sharma have both been postponed.
BEIS: Energy efficiency installations increased in 2019
New figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) show nearly 220,000 energy efficiency measures were installed through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and the Green Deal framework in 2019 - a 5% year-on-year increase.
TODAY AT 1PM: Join edie's webinar on achieving net-zero
Readers have only a few hours left to register for edie's net-zero webinar, which will outline some of the key elements in the field of setting goals for net-zero carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.
New digital tool launched by Government to simplify SECR reporting
The Government agency and reporting council overseeing compliance for the upcoming Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) standards have launched a new taxonomy to submit relevant data in better aligned digital formats.
'A national first': UK generates more electricity from renewables than gas
The UK's electricity generation from renewable sources surpassed generation from gas for the first time since records began during the third quarter of 2019, the latest Government figures have shown.
Waste heat from London Underground to warm homes in Islington
More than 1,350 homes, a school and two leisure centres in Islington are to benefit from a new energy centre that is harnessing waste heat from the London Underground tube network.
Government announces major overhaul to UK's onshore wind subsidies
Updated: The UK Government has reversed its decision to effectively ban onshore wind, solar and energy storage from competing in the Contracts for Difference (CfD) rounds, following calls for a review to its renewables policy framework in light of the net-zero target.
Low-carbon generation edges past 50% share of UK's power demand
New statistics from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have confirmed that low-carbon generation accounted for more than 51% of the electricity supplied in the UK in 2019, a 2% growth on 2018 levels.
Energy companies trial 'heat-as-a-service' to drive demand for low-carbon solutions
UK energy companies Bristol Energy and Baxi Heating have completed year-long trials funded by the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to explore whether offering heat as a service could drive demand for low-carbon heating solutions in the UK's domestic building stock.
Government focuses on hydrogen in £90m industrial decarbonisation funding
The UK Government has announced £90m in funding to help cut emissions from industrial processes and the built environment, including the backing of two low-carbon hydrogen production plants.
Cabinet reshuffle: All the key personnel changes that will impact the green economy
BREAKING: Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers has been sacked and replaced by George Eustice, while Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom has been replaced by International Development Secretary Alok Sharma, who has also been named as COP26 President.
Alok Sharma: What we know about the COP26 President's views on climate change
In an unexpected announcement, Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom has been replaced by International Development Secretary Alok Sharma, who has also been named as COP26 President. Here, edie examines Sharma's track record on climate legislation to date.
UK's low-carbon heat networks receive £40m Government boost
The Government has outlined how it will allocate £40m to bring seven new low-carbon heat networks online across London, Leeds, Liverpool and Bristol.
Government's plans for low-carbon homes are 'a step backwards' on climate, London Mayor warns
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged Ministers to improve plans for decarbonising the UK's built environment sector, claiming that the capital and other cities are already going further and faster in the face of the climate emergency.
Former defence and health Minister Philip Dunne elected as EAC chair
Philip Dunne MP has become the new chair of the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), after previous chair Mary Creagh lost her seat as MP for Wakefield in December's general election.
Latest Government figures spark fears that UK's green economy is 'stagnating'
The latest Government figures reveal that turnover in the UK's low-carbon economy was £46.7bn in 2018, up from £40.5bn in 2015. But the 2018 figure is still equivalent to just 1% of national non-financial turnover, experts have warned.
New Years Honours 2020: The sustainability champions on the Queen's list
The 2020 New Year Honours list has recognised the outstanding achievements of more than 90 figures across the UK's environmental sphere, including green business figures, policy experts and scientists working to combat climate change and marine pollution.
Reports: Boris Johnson planning to scrap BEIS and re-instate DECC after Brexit
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is planning a sweeping array of reforms to key Government departments after his victory in last week's general election, including the reinstatement of a Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), according to several reports.
Net-zero cities: Nottingham's mission to be carbon-neutral by 2028
edie's new mini-series exploring how local authorities are collaborating with businesses to actuate community-centred sustainability schemes on the road to net-zero emissions continues, this time with a look at how Nottingham plans to become the UK's first carbon-neutral city by 2028.
'Promises are not enough': Green economy reacts to Boris Johnson's historic election win
After the Conservative Party secured a landslide victory in the UK's general election, members of the nation's green economy are calling on Boris Johnson to turn the green ideations in his party's manifesto into action.
Onshore wind poised for first foray into Capacity Market
Renewables are poised to make their first foray into the Capacity Market after a number of onshore wind projects prequalified for the upcoming auctions.
Government to send 30,000 invites for citizen climate assembly
The UK Government will send out 30,000 letters to invite members of the public to join a citizens' assembly aimed at outlining how the countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can meet net-zero emissions targets.
Energy minister to consider departmental carbon budgets
The energy and clean growth minister has told MPs he will look into the idea that government departments should be setting their own carbon budgets.
Billions wanted: Report sets net-zero price as Siemens aims for £100bn green project pipeline
Technology firm Siemens has signed an agreement with a coalition of 94 local authority political leaders across the UK to help unlock green investment towards clean energy projects, as a new report warns that up to £20bn may be required annually to deliver the UK's net-zero commitment.
Coal drops to record low generation share in UK
Coal power generated a record low of 0.6% of the UK's grid mix between April and June, the latest official Government statistics have revealed.
Jo Johnson quits Ministerial role at BEIS
Jo Johnson has stepped down from his role as under-secretary at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), just six weeks after his appointment.
Coal generation becoming a 'distant memory' as share of energy mix falls to 0.7%
The amount of energy generated from coal sources in the UK has fallen to a record-low output of 0.7% - a 63% decline on the same period the year prior - with low-carbon making up more than half of the UK's energy mix.
Government sets aside funds to explore low-carbon hydrogen
The government has awarded 20 projects a share of £7 million to explore innovative ways of making and using low-carbon hydrogen.
Number of flights taken by BEIS officials soars
The Whitehall officials responsible for tackling the climate crisis dramatically increased their domestic flights last year despite the huge carbon footprint associated with aviation.
Energy leaders urge government to back international AI climate centre
Leading voices from across the energy sector have this week called for the government to support the creation of an International Centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Energy and Climate.
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Lord Ian Duncan appointed to BEIS, completing Department's new ministerial line-up
Lord Ian Duncan has been appointed as the UK's Minister for Climate Change, completing the new line-up at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
Reeves grills Leadsom on net-zero preparations
Rachel Reeves MP, chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee, has grilled BEIS's new Secretary Andrea Leadsom over her sector-specific plans for helping the UK to reach net-zero by 2050.
UK set to miss renewable energy target despite breaking records
Despite 2018 being another record year for renewable generation, official figures on energy consumption across the UK last year suggest that national 2020 renewable energy targets will be missed.
Cabinet reshuffle: Andrea Leadsom replaces Greg Clark as Business Secretary, Claire Perry becomes COP26 President
Former Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom last night (24 July) replaced Greg Clark as Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), while Energy Minister Claire Perry has relinquished her role and has been named President of the UK's COP26 climate talks.
CCS, food waste and deposit return schemes: Recapping a week of major green policy announcements
As Boris Johnson settles into his first day as the UK Prime Minister, Defra, the Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have released a flurry of documents to strengthen approaches to environmental regulation, energy policy and packaging production.
Government unveils £80m pot to decarbonise aviation and road transport
In a bid to spur the development of new low-carbon transport technologies and systems on the path to net-zero by 2050, the UK has launched a new £80m funding pot for electric car and plane projects.
Ofgem and BEIS call on networks to realise £40bn flexible energy opportunity
Ofgem and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have penned a joint letter to the Energy Networks Association (ENA), calling on organisations to "evolve" to a more flexible system that could create a £40bn windfall for the UK economy.
Sir David Attenborough: 'Radical' battle against climate change can be a 'huge opportunity'
Sir David Attenborough has welcomed that the UK's net-zero carbon emissions target, noting that any nation that can "get ahead of the game" on the climate movement can generate huge economic and societal opportunities, provided "radical change" is introduced.
Questions raised about £1trn adaptation cost to net zero carbon economy
Questions have been raised about the £1trn cost estimate of establishing a net-zero carbon economy by the Common's Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee.
Government funnels £26m into CCUS projects
The UK Government had confirmed that 10 companies have secured £26m in funding to facilitate the advancement and rollout of carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS).
Queen's Birthday Honours: The sustainability champions who made the 2019 list
The Queen's 2019 Birthday Honours list has recognised the outstanding achievements of a number of senior figures across the UK's sustainability and energy sectors.
Parliament to debate bill committing UK to net-zero by 2050
A bill which would commit the UK Government to reducing national carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050 will be put to Parliament next Tuesday (11 June), the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee has confirmed today (7 June)
Government defies CCC's carbon budget surplus advice
The cabinet has reportedly defied its own climate change adviser by carrying forward emission reductions, which have already taken place, into its future carbon budgets.
Theresa May's green policy legacy: Environmental leader or lukewarm laggard?
After weeks of calls to resign from all sides of the House, Theresa May has today (24 May) confirmed that she will step down as Prime Minister next month after three years in power, opening the race for the next Conservative Party leader. Amid tabloid claims that her legacy will be solely based on failing to deliver Brexit, edie instead explores her impact on green policy.
Talking Clean Growth with Frank Aaskov, Ben Golding and Shamit Gaiger
edie's Mission Possible sofa chat show returns for 2019. In the first episode of this series, edie discusses clean growth with Ben Golding, director of energy efficiency - Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Make UK's senior energy, climate and environment policy advisor Frank Aaskov and AECOM's director of strategic advisory Shamit Gaiger.
CCC boss: Net-zero before 2050 would be 'very risky' for UK economy
The Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) chief executive Chris Stark has defended the body's decision not to advise the Government on pathways which could create a net-zero carbon economy before 2050, arguing that doing so would be "very risky" from a social and economic perspective.
BEIS to launch energy efficiency consultation on commercial buildings 'as soon as possible'
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will launch a consultation on the emissions of commercial buildings "as soon as possible", describing the sector as a "huge untapped area" for improvements.
Report: Clear CCUS policy needed for UK net-zero emissions goal
The UK Government should update its "vague terminology" on carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) deployment in the UK to create clear policy drivers that transform the technology into a primary tool to meet national and international climate change targets.
How have key MPs responded to Greta Thunberg and the climate protests?
Following young climate activist Greta Thunberg's rousing speech to UK MPs calling for an overhaul to "very creative, carbon accounting," edie rounds up how key political figures have responded to her comments and the ongoing Extinction Rebellion protests.
West Sussex virtual power plant 'could save UK £32bn' if replicated nationally
The developers of a new virtual power plant (VPP) system set to come online across West Sussex in stages from autumn have claimed that the model could cut the UK's energy costs by 10% if it is rolled out nationally.
UK breaks coal-free power generation record by huge margin
Coal has historically been at the cornerstone of the UK's electricity mix, but the first three months of 2019 saw the electricity grid clock up 650 hours of coal-free generation - more than was achieved during the entirety of 2017.
UK forecast to miss fourth and fifth carbon budgets
The UK is on course to breach its fourth and fifth carbon budgets by 139 and 245 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) respectively, according to the latest forecast from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
Green Alliance: Feed-In Tariff closure a 'major blow' for community solar
The Government's decision to axe the Feed-In Tariff (FiT) scheme will leave dozens of UK community groups "struggling to make the business case" for new small-scale solar projects, think tank Green Alliance has warned.
In charts: The UK's record-breaking year for low-carbon energy generation
With the latest Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) statistics revealing that 2018 was a record-breaking year for renewables and low-carbon generation, edie dives into the data to pull out the key achievements.
WATCH: Michael Gove, Claire Perry and Paul Polman support school climate strikes
Conservative MPs, Government Ministers and green business leaders have today (15 March) come out in support of students that are missing school and going on strike for a second time in the fight against climate change.
IPPR warns of risks and opportunities to decarbonisation in north of England
Tens of thousands of jobs could be created in the north of England as a result of decarbonisation, but there are many risks to the transition, a new report has claimed.
Government throws its weight behind offshore wind power expansion
The government will throw its weight behind an expansion in the use of offshore wind power in the hope the renewable energy source will provide a third of the UK's electricity by 2030.
Call for decentralised energy optimisation as FIT regime due to end
Fresh mechanisms will be required to ensure that new decentralised generation is visible on the grid once the feed-in tariff (FIT) regime ends this March, an event heard last week.
UK cities to become climate 'hubs' under new £3.5m scheme
The UK Government has launched a new £3.5m initiative aimed at connecting the nation's largest cities in a collective effort to tackle climate challenges.
Government launches new funding measures to target energy storage and AI innovations
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has announced a range of new funding measures aimed at uncovering cost-competitive energy storage technologies and using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle food waste.
The 10 Year Challenge: How the UK's low-carbon economy has changed
The 10-Year Challenge has swept across social media this month, providing celebrities with ample opportunity to show how little they've aged. However, the UK's low-carbon economy has changed drastically in this time, as edie explains.
Claire Perry: UK's business community must help create a 'just' low-carbon transition
As the UK strives to meet legally binding carbon targets, businesses must help policymakers create a low-carbon economy that does not exclude working-class people or rural regions, Energy Minister Claire Perry has claimed.
Policy shake-up set to fast-track energy storage and renewables projects
The UK Government has launched a consultation to determine how best it can alter planning policy frameworks to support developers and businesses seeking to build energy storage facilities in England.
Government rejects calls to bring 2040 petrol and diesel car ban forward
The UK Government has confirmed that it will not bring the date of its 2040 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars forward, despite pressure from MPs and green campaign groups to set a 2032 deadline.
Solar households to be paid for excess power after Government U-turn
The UK Government has made a U-turn on its decision to end the solar "export tariff", confirming that households which install solar panels in the future will be paid for excess power they generate and send to the grid.
BEIS wants major carbon capture project delivered by mid-2020s
The UK Government has today (28 November) unveiled plans to "make carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) technologies a reality", including an aim to bring the nation's first large-scale CCUS facility online by the mid-2020s.
Interface, Unilever and Coca-Cola among business leaders calling for UK net-zero emissions target
The chief executives of major UK-based companies including Interface, Coca-Cola European Partners and Unilever have called for Prime Minister Theresa May to set legally binding targets that ensure the UK reaches net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.
BEIS signals policy shift on export tariff
Energy and clean growth minister Claire Perry has signalled a shift in policy when it comes to the closure of the Feed-in Tariff.
'Genuinely bewildering': BEIS to allocate £60m for next CfD auction
The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is set to finalise a draft allocation of £60m for the next Contract for Difference (CfD) auction, raising questions as to how the remaining £497m set aside for future auctions will be spent.
WATCH: BEIS director outlines vision for a zero-carbon built environment
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy's (BEIS) Director of energy efficiency Ben Golding has outlined the "win-wins" that can be generated by businesses and public sector organisation by mobilising action towards a zero-carbon built environment by 2050.
BEIS Committee: Ban new petrol and diesel cars by 2032, not 2040
MPs sitting on the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee have urged the Government to bring its 2040 ban for new petrol and diesel car sales forward to 2032 - in light of the recent findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Clean Growth Fund spearheads Government's green finance commitments
As part of Green GB Week, the UK Government has announced a new £40m venture capital fund to help bring innovative clean technologies to market.
Government launches £320m scheme to help decarbonise UK's heat networks
The Government has launched a £320m scheme to help accelerate the adoption of low-carbon heat technologies across the UK's public, private and domestic sectors, on the same week that further tweaks to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) were criticised.
BEIS announces green buildings drive and single-use plastics crackdown
EXCLUSIVE: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has today (16 October) underlined its commitment to phasing out single-use plastics and reducing its estate emissions by 66% through two new commitments that have been posted on edie's Mission Possible Pledge Wall.
