News – December 2011
Scottish political parties unite to call for Edinburgh to be home of green bank
Scotland’s main political parties have joined forces to call on the UK Government to name Edinburgh as the home of the UK’s Green Investment Bank.
Scotland isn’t rainy enough – why green energy output has slowed
The Scottish Government’s green energy aspirations have been dealt a blow as the proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources fell last year due to a “very low” rainfall and an increase in dry weather.
The Scotsman »
UK Water Research and Innovation Framework launched
RCUK’s Living With Environmental Change Champion, Dan Osborn contributing to the launch of The UK Water Research and Innovation Framework (UKWRIF).
Living With Environmental Change »
Scottish renewable electricity on track for ‘record year’
Figures reveal country is likely to produce its highest ever levels of electricity from renewable sources.
Good news, bad news
Proposals by Ofgem will cut the costs for renewable electricity projects connecting to the grid from the Scottish mainland – but connection costs from the Scottish islands will remain prohibitively high.
Low-carbon entrepreneurship
A masterclass in low-carbon entrepreneurship and innovation has attracted world-leading experts to Edinburgh early in the new year.
Green energy could provide cash windfall for Highland region
Councillors in the Highlands are drawing up plans to ensure communities benefit directly from the development of green energy in their area.
The Scotsman »
Europe economic crisis a chance to go green: Denmark
Denmark said Europe’s financial crisis was the chance to transform the region into a much greener economy as it set out priorities Monday for its forthcoming European Union presidency beginning in January.
Reuters »
MEPs to take step towards supporting carbon price
European politicians are expected on Tuesday to vote through an amendment that could pave the way for direct intervention in the EU carbon market, which has sunk to record lows.
The Guardian »
New Chief Executive for Scottish Environment Protection Agency
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has appointed a new Chief Executive. He is Professor James Curran MBE, who is currently SEPA’s Director of Science and Strategy.
read more »
easyJet founder launches scheme to let people rent out their cars
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and lastminute.com entrepreneur Brent Hoberman unveil venture letting people hire neighbours’ cars.
Meeting climate change targets could cost Scotland £10 billion
Scotland has made good progress in cutting its greenhouse gas emissions, with a fall of more than a quarter since 1990. However, the country has very ambitious targets for further emissions reductions, which could cost about £10-11 billion to achieve, according to an Audit Scotland report, Reducing Scottish greenhouse gas emissions, published today.
read more »
Powering Ahead With Electric Vehicles
A conference on electric cars suggested that upfront costs and anxiety over the distance covered by the vehicles are still major barriers to their widespread adoption.
