The UK’s policies on reducing GHG emissions By Arjun and Jonny

The Issue  The 2008 Climate Change Act established the world’s first legally binding climate change target. The Department of Energy & Climate Change (and other departments) aim to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% (from the 1990 baseline) by  Moving to a more energy efficient, low-carbon economy will help meet this target. It will also help the UK become less reliant on imported fossil fuels and less exposed to higher energy prices in the future.

Green deal  “Buildings that leak heat and waste energy account for 43% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Research has shown that people feel unable to act because they can’t afford the upfront costs of energy efficiency improvements or are unsure whether they can trust the quality of work”.  The UK government have introduced the ‘Green Deal’ programme to let householders and businesses pay for some or even all of the cost of energy saving improvements they make to their properties through the savings they make on their energy bills over the years.

Creating a new system Setting up a £125 million cashback scheme for householders in England and Wales means the energy efficiency improvements can be made. Creating the ECO to help householders (in older properties, and those on benefits or low incomes) who qualify for extra financial assistance. Why go Green?  The government have introduced a regulation in June 2013 that requires all quoted companies to report on their GHG emissions.  This regulation will provide transparency around how quoted companies are managing their carbon emissions – information that investors have been calling for.

Impact  The Green Deal programme will support the creation of up to 60,000 jobs in the insulation sector alone by  Our heating and insulation measures will benefit around 230,000 low-income households each year.  By 2020 the Green Deal could reduce UK household and business carbon emissions by 4.5 million tonnes per year.  Around 3 million hard-to-treat cavity wall properties will be eligible for support under the ECO.

Bibliography  greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-80-by greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-80-by-2050

Reducing Agricultural Emissions Ways to reduce GHG emissions from agriculture are improving a farm’s nutrient management system by more accurately matching nutrient inputs to crop needs can reduce emissions, increase efficiency and save money.

Reducing Transport Emissions The government:  The government gives grants and incentives to those who purchase or produce ultra-low emission vehicles  Invests in research and development such as funding research for Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) so they can renew technology to make cars more eco-friendly.  Are setting out plans for the development of a network of charging docks for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Some service stations and petrol stations already have charging docks for electric cars.  Continues to fund to the Plugged-in Places programme  Sets performance standards to reduce emissions from new vehicles – a new car sold today is on average 18% more fuel efficient than the car it replaces

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