The EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme is failing to deliver much needed investment in low carbon technologies, says a report from UK MPs.
The world’s wind power capacity grew by nearly a third in 2009, taking total installations to 157.9 GW with China leading the way, according to the Global Wind Energy Council.
After a year of negotiations, the EU has finally agreed to use allowances from the region’s emissions trading scheme worth €6 billion to support carbon capture and storage demonstration and renewable energy projects.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat has confirmed that 55 nations have pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions under the Copenhagen Accord.
The UK Government released figures yesterday confirming that greenhouse gas emissions fell 1.9% in 2008 and will far exceed targets set by the Kyoto Protocol.
The US and EU formally signed up to the Copenhagen Accord this week as the end of January deadline looms.
A European consortium of 19 cities and regions, 12 electricity suppliers and 17 carmakers have joined forces in a bid to undertake a major effort to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.
European energy and environment ministers meeting in Seville, Spain this weekend are expected to call on the EU to implement the Copenhagen Accord and urge other countries to follow suit, according to reports.
The Irish Government announced last week its trial of smart electricity meters is entering the next stage with the roll out of display units and incentives for customers to reduce usage.
Just days before it was due to come into effect, President Nicolas Sarkozy’s carbon tax has been ruled unconstitutional by a French court, according to press reports.