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The government has announced that the grant scheme for zero-emission vehicles has been updated to target less expensive models to allow the scheme’s funding to go further and to help more people make the switch to an electric vehicle. The plug-in grant scheme, will now provide grants of up to £1,500 for electric cars priced under £32,000, with currently around...

The Transport Committee is to examine the effect of Government fuel policy on connectivity, capacity and sustainability across all transport modes, including motor vehicles, maritime, rail and aviation, up to 2050. In the new 'Fuelling the future: motive power and connectivity'-inquiry, the Committee is calling for written evidence on: The effect of Government fuel policy on future road, rail, air...

The UK’s first deposit return scheme will go live across Scotland on 16 August 2023, the Scottish Government has announced. This follows an independent review, which considered the impact of COVID-19 on the scheme. Addressing parliament, the Circular Economy Minister set out plans for a phased implementation of the scheme, and said the target of achieving 90% collection rates by 2024...

New homes and buildings in England will have to produce 'significantly' less CO2 under new rules announced by the government to help the country move towards net zero. Under the new regulations, CO2 emissions from new build homes must be around 30% lower than current standards and emissions from other new buildings, including offices and shops, must be reduced by...

The fourth annual State of the Market Report, published today by water regulator Ofwat, concludes that while business customers who are active and engage in the water retail market continue to benefit from competition and choice, the market is 'working less well' for smaller business customers. Ofwat finds that over a quarter (28%) of larger business customers have been active...

The Net Zero All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has launched its first post-COP26 analysis, setting out the critical pathways the UK Government need to follow to go 'further and faster' on the road to net zero. Whilst their Net Zero roadmap welcomes the Government’s target to reach net zero emissions by 2050, APPG highlights 'profound concerns' about whether the Government’s Net...

Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters has published the findings of an intensive deep dive review into renewable energy in Wales. The Deputy Minister promised the Welsh Government will prioritise actions to reduce energy demand and maximise local ownership retaining economic and social benefits in Wales. In a Twitter thread, the Deputy Minister stated: "I'm very grateful to the expert panel who...

The fourth round of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, which aims to secure 12GW of electricity capacity, has opened for applications today. Contracts for Difference are 15-year private law contracts between renewable electricity generators and the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC), a government-owned company that manages CfDs at arm’s length from government. Contracts are awarded in a series of competitive...

Following the commitments made in the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy, Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has launched a call for evidence on the design and implementation of policies that can encourage the market for low emissions industrial products to grow.   The questions cover: how low emissions products can be defined the sectoral and product scope of the policies ...

In a new inquiry, the International Trade Committee will examine how the Government can ensure its environmental policies are protected as it negotiates free trade agreements, and how it can encourage trade in green technology and environmentally-friendly goods and services. Commenting on the inquiry launch, Angus Brendan MacNeil MP, Chair of the International Trade Committee, stated: “Our new inquiry will...