Doctors the world over tell leaders to take emergency action
More than 200 health journals worldwide, in a concerted pre-COP26 move, are publishing an editorial calling on leaders to take emergency action on climate change and to protect health. The British Medical Journal said it is the first time so many publications have come together to make the same statement, reflecting the severity of the situation. The list includes a vast number of BMJ publications and publications in the UK, USA, Africa, China and India.
Doctors aren’t the only ones challenging the government. Here in the UK, Peers are challenging the government over the Environment Bill. The Guardian, my early morning ‘go to’ publication reports that an alliance of crossbench and opposition peers has tabled more than 100 amendments to the environment bill in an attempt to beef up protections for nature, air quality and water standards and give the new green watchdog more powers.
“The costs are too high; the costs are too high” – we hear it too much; and not enough of the benefits and the awfulness of moving too slowly. Thank heavens for the Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee, Chris Stark, the voice of sanity; who you will hear form in our forthcoming ‘Dcarbonise Week: Virtual Sustainability Summit. He has urged the debate over net zero to be framed in a more positive light: “It can be done,” he said. “It is worth it … I hope we can move away from thinking about the cost and see it as a mission to modernise the economy.”
Adding: “There are some big decisions to be had in there,” he said of the cabinet talks. “We cannot keep inching forward on all this. The incremental pace we have seen in some policies over the past 12 months is not going to cut it. This is a big moment. That moment is coming ahead of Cop26. There will be a lot of focus on what that strategy contains.”
EMEC goes from strength to strength
EMEC has submitted additional information to the Scottish Government for the EIA for its Billia Croo wave energy test site as part of an ongoing site-wide consenting process. The EIA Application includes:
- an updated Seascape, Landscape and Visual Assessment;
- further information regarding the hydrodynamic impact of EMEC on aquaculture; and
- an updated socio-economic report
Meantime at the other end of the UK full planning permission is being sought for the onshore elements of the Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre (PTEC) from the Planning Committee of the Isle of Wight. The previously granted permission expired due to delays the centre experienced over changes in government policy
Do we really need a blue v green battle?
Do we really, at this early stage in developing a hydrogen a battle on the merits of green over blue hydrogen? What are your views? EnergyVoice.com reports that Norwegian organisation SINTEF Energy said its analysis shows the emissions intensity of blue and green hydrogen are “comparable and complementary” when applying “appropriate and realistic” technology concepts. Its findings are based on “both green and blue hydrogen production” in projects financed by the EU commission, the Research Council of Norway and industry over several years.
SINTEF said that in a “European context”, blue hydrogen and green hydrogen are on a par for emissions production.
Ofgem in the news
At the start of last week Ofgem launched a £450m fund (available over the next five years) aimed at innovative projects that will help the country meet its net zero climate targets; and by the end of the week it announced plans to make it easier for electric vehicle drivers to sell the energy stored in their car batteries back to power grid as part of a move to help make the switch away from fossil fuel cars more affordable.
Calling children of all ages
Parents take a look – and encourage your children to as well – at WindEurope’s ‘LearnWind’ educational hub. There you’ll find a variety of materials for children of different age groups that it is hoped will inspire the talents of tomorrow and encourage them to consider a career in wind energy.
Are you in the energy efficiency business?
If the answer is “yes” head here. It’s where you can bid for a place on Scotland Excel’s energy efficiency contractors framework which is expected to bring up to £200 million-worth of business opportunities each year
The second-generation framework will help councils and other social landlords to source the goods and services they need to implement energy efficiency measures in their properties, to cut emissions, tackle fuel poverty and create warmer homes.
The framework will be in place for four years and give an effective and efficient way to upgrade housing stock and offers the capability to source full house retrofitting.
It covers professional services like energy efficiency designers, coordinator, assessors, as well as building fabric measures like wall, floor and roof insulation, door and window replacement, retrofit, and roof repair and replacement. It will also include heating, hot water and ventilation measures for electric and gas systems, and renewables and energy storage measures.
The framework reflects the aims of the Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy. The tender will close on 8 October 2021 and can be accessed on Public Contracts Scotland
Congratulations Perth!
A £9.2 million development in Perth, Scotland has seen solar PV rolled out across 70 new homes. SolarPowerPortal reports that this is the largest development of new council homes since Perth & Kinross Council restarted its house building programme in 2021. The homes were delivered in partnership with Barratt Homes and helped by funding from the Scottish government.
New Scottish leasing process to decarbonise oil & gas and boost innovation
Crown Estate Scotland will launch a new leasing process for offshore wind farms to help decarbonise Scotland’s oil and gas sector. The announcement follows the opening of the Scottish Government’s consultation on a new planning process which will inform the areas to be made available for seabed leases.
In addition to enhancing the role that offshore wind can play in reducing the carbon emissions associated with North Sea energy production, this leasing will also help develop Scotland as a destination for increased innovation and supply chain opportunities linked to offshore renewable energy.
This process is entirely separate to the ScotWind Leasing round currently under way for commercial scale offshore wind projects across Scotland, and is specifically designed for offshore wind farms which support the decarbonisation of the oil and gas sector, as well as small scale innovation projects of less than 100MW.
Crown Estate Scotland plans to open the leasing process for applications in early 2022.
Get those nominations in!
Nominations for the Scottish green Energy Awards close at 5pm on 13 September. Don’t put it off, get those nominations written and sent off NOW!
And, while you’re at it get your camera out.
AREG’s new photography competition aims to shine a spotlight on the energy transition. Images can be landscapes, people, or conceptual abstract representations.
Categories include:
- Landscape – a view to inspire
- Portrait – people making a difference
- Under 16s – young people’s award
- Action – energy in motion
- Wildlife/nature – impacts on fauna or flora
- Innovation – new technology or a new way of looking at the world
The all-important closing date is 11 October.