From April 2010, large non-intensive energy consumers will have to buy allowances to cover the carbon they emit. But inclusion in the scheme depends on energy use in 2008, as Simon Napper explains.

October’s Energy Expo at London Olympia showed that various technologies are becoming embedded in the mainstream. Ian Grant reports on the new trends.

Skills secretary John Denham has identified the industries vital to the UK that will need a more skilled workforce and said they include renewables and energy conservation.

Government should treat micro-generation and renewable heat technologies as being as important as large-scale electricity generation, a House of Lords committee has recommended.

The Government’s acceptance of the need for feed-in tariffs for small-scale electricity generation – and for renewable power for heating - has received a general welcome.

What Makes an Eco Town? is a question both enthusiasts and opponents have been asking themselves in recent months, but the faltering programme has spawned a report of that name from Bioregional and CABE which aims to answer the question.

DEFRA is setting up systems which aim to give consumers and businesses information on what benefits their green energy tariffs actually deliver over and above the supplier’s existing legal obligation to supply electricity from renewable sources.

Over 30 MPs have backed a new motion calling for solar panels to be installed on the roof of Parliament: The Early Day Motion, EDM number 2007*, submitted by Labour MP for Bassetlaw, John Mann on 9 July, calls for what it describes as “the vast roof space” of the House of Commons buildings to be fitted with solar panels so that the Houses of Parliament “can do more to reduce its own emissions and take an active lead in the fight against climate change.”