Recently Reported Greenhouse Gas Emissions Level: 339.2 MtCO2e in 2019, a Decrease of 30%-40% from 1990 (Source: IEA) According to research from the International Energy Agency (IEA), total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the UK amounted to 339.2 MtCO2e in 2019. This signals a decline from 2018 emissions levels of 352 MtCO2e, which—at the time—comprised...
Category: United Kingdom News Brief and Action Alert
UK Government Talks About Climate Change But Isn’t Taking Substantive Action
Paris Agreement COP26, initially scheduled for November 26th of 2020 in Glasgow, has been pushed back a year due to COVID-19. This setback is not stopping the United Nations and United Kingdom from hosting an online celebration to mark the 5th anniversary of the historic Paris Agreement. In doing so they hope to strengthen global...
The Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment in the UK
Home to many prestigious organizations and institutions with a multitude of resources, the UK is home to some groups doing the most groundbreaking climate research. Common research themes are mitigation, climate adaption, energy systems, urban resilience, climate change governance and legislation, environmental behavior. The UK, which only constitutes approximately 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions...
In the UK, Climate Justice Is a Class Issue
In the UK, climate justice is above all else a class issue. Low-income households will suffer the most for a variety of reasons. To begin, the inability to afford climate adaptions such as air conditioning and flood defenses put people at a greater risk of death during extreme weather conditions. As the climate warms, extreme...
UK Bailout Guidelines for the Construction Industry
Following the COVID-19 lockdown, many UK industries have taken a hard hit after months of closures and furloughing of staff. The top three most impacted industries are education, hospitality and construction. This report will specifically evaluate the construction industry in light of a green economic recovery plan post-lockdown, assessing the ways the construction industry can...
Ancient Woodlands, the Most Biodiverse Area in the UK Covers Only 2.4% of Land Area and Needs Protection
In the UK, agriculture takes up 72% of land (17.6 million hectares), woodland areas use 13% (3.2 million hectares), and peatland uses a further 9.5% of land, most of which resides in Scotland. The most biodiverse land is ancient woodland, that which has existed on record for over 400 years; these woodlands cover only 2.4%...
Suggestions for Making Coronavirus Economic Recovery Climate Wise in the UK
Due to the UK lockdown that began on March 23rd, businesses, schools, and all non-essential workplaces have been closed down and people began working from home. Where working from home is not possible, many companies have opted to furlough their employees, meaning employees are temporarily laid off and instead receive 80% of their income from...
2012 Electricity Market Law Still Having A Major Impact in the UK
The Key Energy Market Reform in the UK occurred in 2012 with the Electricity Market Reform, composed of two major parts. First, it ensured a capacity market for electricity. This promotes investment in low-carbon energy supplies to ensure future energy demand can be met when renewable energy supply is low. Second, there was the creation...
Brexit Poses a Challenge for Carbon Pricing Mechanisms
Currently, the UK partakes in the EU Emissions Trading System, an international carbon trading platform that works on a cap and trade system. As of January 2021 the UK will leave the EU ETS as it exits the EU. The UK will try to link its own cap and trade program into the EU ETS...
UK Conservative Party Demonstrates an Interest in Climate Change Post Brexit
The last few months has represented a transition in the UKs climate narrative following the UK general election on the 12th December 2019 and subsequent victory for the Conservative party with a 45% majority. Securing 365 seats in Parliament, they have the largest Conservative majority government since Margaret Thatcher. Many ‘safe’ Labour seats were lost...