Renewables

Clean, green energy

TomAllen — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:48:33 +0100

Generating energy from renewable sources will keep the lights on. The UK has access to the best wind and wave power in Europe*. Tapping into these resources makes economic sense. UK offshore wind and wave power could generate £3 billion and create 160,000 jobs. And it can put us in charge of our energy supply. The elements will not expire. Capturing their energy is becoming more cost competitive while global fuel costs are rising. Germany already generates 15 per cent of its energy from renewable sources, yet the UK is struggling to hit 4 per cent.

Small-scale green energy schemes could generate more electricity than two nuclear power stations

AndyBrace — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:01:01 +0000

Small-scale renewable electricity schemes could generate more than twice the output of Sizewell B nuclear power station by 2020 if Ministers improve the proposed Clean Energy Cash-back scheme due to be launched in April 2010, Friends of the Earth says.

Miliband energy announcements - Greenpeace responce

AndyBrace — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:47:12 +0000

Commenting on energy minister Ed Miliband's announcements on more nuclear power stations today, Ben Ayliffe, head of Greenpeace's nuclear campaign, said:

"Miliband can name as many sites as he likes for new nuclear power stations, but the fact remains that the figures simply don't add up.

"Even the Thatcher government realised this. It was exactly 20 years ago to the day that they pulled nuclear plants from the energy privatisation scheme when they realised that nuclear power was not an attractive investment for private companies. And it still isn't.

Can new technologies help reduce the impact of climate change?

AndyBrace — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:00:13 +0100

A day after climate change talks ended in deadlock in Bangkok one of the richest men in the world, George Soros pledged US$1 billion as an investment in clean energy technology. Will this make a difference in terms of reducing carbon emissions? Yes, probably…But a further question is: Will the clean energy technology be adopted [...]

Coalition welcome Miliband renewable announcement

TomAllen — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:47:47 +0100

The Government today launched its Low Carbon Transition Plan - a route map towards achieving a 34% reduction in UK greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. In response, Ashok Sinha, Director of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition said

Members of our coalition will welcome this announcement. Ed Miliband must be congratulated for at last offering a step-wise plan to tackling the UK’s carbon emissions.

Renewable energy schemes to get speedier connection

AndyBrace — Fri, 08 May 2009 01:01:01 +0100

Friends of the Earth today welcomed Ofgem's announement that renewable energy companies would be connected to the Grid more quickly, but said a long-term solution was urgently needed for the UK to meet its renewable energy target and create green jobs

Wind of change at RSPB Rainham Marshes

AndyBrace — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:51:00 +0100

RSPB Rainham Marshes came a step closer to becoming carbon neutral this week after the charity installed a 15kW wind turbine at the reserve.

Government knocks the wind out of renewables

AndyBrace — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:07:37 +0100

Two breaking stories this morning neatly illustrate the flawed logic which still lurks at the heart of UK energy policy. First up is that German energy utility RWE's bid to build a new nuclear plant near Kirksanton in Cumbria will mean dismantling an existing wind farm on the site.

85,480 signatures delivered to Ed Miliband

TomAllen — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:46:15 +0100

On Monday 20 April Stop Climate Chaos coalition members delivered more than 85,000 of your messages to Ed Miliband's office at the (DECC).

(More pictures on Flickr.)

Greenpeace response to new report showing opportunity to create thousands of jobs in wind energy could be lost

AndyBrace — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:28:44 +0100

Responding to today's report by the ippr, which says that the opportunity to create up to 70,000 UK jobs in the offshore wind industry could be lost due to a lack of government support, Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said:

"The renewable energy sector - which could provide tens of thousands of jobs - received nothing in the government's fiscal stimulus package.

Scotland needs to act at home on climate change

TomAllen — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:27:57 +0100

Business and climate change campaign groups unite to push amendment to Scottish Climate Change Bill.

In an unprecedented move, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS) has joined forces with Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), the UK’s largest generator of renewable energy, to propose a change to the Scottish Climate Change Bill to close a loophole that threatens to derail action in Scotland to cut emissions.

Budget must focus on green energy

AndyBrace — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:01:01 +0100

Friends of the Earth says electric cars are not enough to tackle climate change - the Government must prioritise green energy and energy efficiency in this month's Budget

CBI road map to a low carbon economy - the Government must do more

AndyBrace — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 01:01:01 +0100

Friends of the Earth comments on a new CBI report which sets out a road map to a low- carbon economy, as well as the results of a poll by the Renewable Energy Association that show the majority of green energy providers are facing financial difficulties.

Huge new alliance to tell world leaders to put people first

AndyBrace — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:05:46 +0000

A huge new platform of unions, development agencies, faith and environmental groups plans to tell world leaders attending the G20 summit in April that only just, fair and sustainable policies can lead the world out of recession.

The alliance, which includes the TUC, Oxfam, ActionAid, Friends of the Earth and CAFOD, is calling on people to join a major demonstration for jobs, justice and climate in London on Saturday 28 March, five days before the summit.

Welcome for Western Isles renewables report

AndyBrace — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:22:00 +0000

Energy potential can be unlocked without harming the environment.

Government study confirms offshore wind potential

AndyBrace — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:01:01 +0000

The Government has confirmed the massive potential for off-shore wind energy â it must now make sure that it becomes a reality.

Welcome wave power for Lewis

AndyBrace — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:04:00 +0000

Environmentally sensitive renewable project gets the go-ahead

EU agrees renewable energy deal

AndyBrace — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:01:01 +0000

Friends of the Earth has welcomed today's EU agreement committing the bloc to securing 20 per cent of its energy needs from renewable energy sources by 2020 but expressed disappointment at plans to increase the use of biofuels

World’s biggest solar tower plant will power 11,000 homes in Spain

AndyBrace — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:13:43 +0000

Spain has the sunshine and now appears to have the will to use its potential to generate clean energy.

Rising out of the Andalusian countryside like a gigantic obelisk, a huge concrete solar tower is surrounded by fields of more than 1,000 mirrors that are carefully positioned to reflect sunlight in order to superheat water in the tower.

Energy Bill: Renewable energy proposals must be strengthened

AndyBrace — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:01:01 +0000

A coalition of trade bodies, unions and charities is calling for Government plans to introduce a feed-in tariff into its Energy Bill to be significantly strengthened so that people are given real financial incentives to install green energy systems

European States agree to water down renewable energy plans

AndyBrace — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:01:01 +0000

European States agree to water down renewable energy plans

Rainbow Warrior delivers Coalition's Board and declaration to E.ON

TomAllen — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:41:36 +0000

Our coalition board met on the Rainbow Warrior to sign this declaration,

4 million strong, we say no to dirty coal power stations, and yes to a clean green renewable energy future.

The declaration was signed on board ship by representatives from Greenpeace, Oxfam, the Women's Institute, Tearfund, RSPB, Friends of the Earth, WWF and Christian Aid. It was then delivered to E.ON at the site of their new coal power station in Kingsnorth.

EU renewable energy target: House of Lords calls for urgent action

AndyBrace — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 01:01:01 +0100

Responding to today's House of Lords report on the European Union's renewable energy plans, Friends of the Earth urged ministers to get on with the job of harnessing Britain's huge potential for green power

UK number one for offshore wind - but more investment is needed in renewables

AndyBrace — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:01:01 +0100

Friends of the Earth has welcomed today's news that the UK is the world's biggest developer of offshore wind but said much more investment in renewables was needed.

Greenpeace's call for green energy action

TomAllen — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:26:29 +0100

Greenpeace have created an action where you can send Ed Miliband a message calling for development of the new Kingsnorth power station to end, and for a boost to renewable energy and action on energy efficiency.

Government increases climate emissions target to 80 per cent - as Miliband backs financial incentives for small-scale renewable

AndyBrace — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:01:01 +0100

Friends of the Earth has welcomed the Government's decision today (Thursday 16 October 2008) to increase its target for cutting UK emissions to 80 per cent but warned pollution from planes and ships needs to be dealt with in law.

Our big "Yes!" to clean green renewable energy

TomAllen — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:31:45 +0100

We have just unveiled our brand new campaign focusing on the critical issue of renewable energy in the UK.

Our director, Ashok Sinha, said "The Government must make clean green renewables the number 1 energy choice for the UK".

Switching to renewable energy instead of using coal for electricity is one of the most important ways to prevent global warming spiralling above the 2°C danger threshold, protecting the world’s most vulnerable people from climate change.