The House of Lords is due to debate a motion moved by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) that “this House takes note of the role of civil nuclear power in meeting the United Kingdom’s (1) electricity needs, and (2) energy security”. This article gives an overview of nuclear power in the UK. It looks at issues such as its role in meeting carbon reduction targets, safety and the disposal of radioactive waste.
The net zero target requires the UK to achieve a 100% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 (from 1990 levels). The Climate Change Committee’s 2021 progress report to Parliament highlighted the impact of behaviour change on reaching this target. It called upon the Government to produce a public engagement strategy for delivering net zero. The Government said its approach to public engagement will be included in a comprehensive net zero strategy scheduled to be published before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November 2021.
The Government passed legislation in 2019 legislating for the UK to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Commentators and the Government have highlighted the need for public engagement to help achieve the target. This article looks at what has been said about the issue and what the public’s attitude and awareness is.
In Focus
The Government has confirmed the Environment Bill will be included in the 2021 Queen’s Speech, a bill carried over from the 2019–21 session. The Queen’s Speech is also likely to refer to the Government’s commitment to reduce UK carbon emissions and the 2021 UN COP26 conference hosted in Glasgow. The Government has said that it will publish in 2021 further details of strategies to improve UK biodiversity, including the England tree strategy.
In Focus
Declines in biodiversity could lead to economic and political instability and potentially threaten the survival of life on earth. The Government has taken a range of steps to counter biodiversity loss, although measures of success are mixed. The independent Dasgupta review has recommended placing monetary values on natural capital. Two forthcoming international conferences provide opportunities for further global initiatives on biodiversity.
In Focus
The renewables obligation scheme provides support for generators of renewable electricity. The costs of the scheme are met by energy suppliers. These costs are then passed on to consumers. When suppliers fail to meet their obligations under the scheme, the resultant shortfall is mutualised if it reaches a certain threshold and must be met by other suppliers. The Renewables Obligation (Amendment) Order 2021 would raise the shortfall threshold which triggers this mutualisation process.
In Focus
In recent months there has been a renewed focus on the future of hydrogen as a low carbon energy carrier for the UK. This had led to calls from a variety of individuals and organisations for the Government and the newly formed Hydrogen Advisory Council to publish a hydrogen strategy. This issue is due to be the subject of an oral question in the House of Lords on 17 September 2020.
In Focus
A government advisory body has updated its recommendations on how much of the UK’s electricity should be generated from renewables. What sparked the change?
In Focus
Insulating homes decreases the amount of fuel needed to heat them, reducing carbon emissions. Increasing the number of insulation measures installed is necessary if the UK is to meet its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This article looks at the link between carbon emissions and insulation, and what the Government is doing to increase insulation levels.
Research Briefing
This legislation forms part of the Government’s policy to improve the country’s digital infrastructure. It seeks to make it easier for network operators to respond to requests to install broadband infrastructure in certain buildings, such as flats, if they are unable to contact the relevant rights holder.
Research Briefing
Is it possible to grow the economy and protect the environment?
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing has been prepared in advance of the debate on 6 February 2020 on technological and lifestyle efforts to address climate change, and to meet the 2050 net zero carbon emissions target.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing provides background information on the Domestic Premises (Energy Performance) Bill [HL], ahead of its second reading in the House of Lords on 7 February 2020.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing provides information to mark the upcoming World Cities Day on 31 October 2019.
Research Briefing
This House of Lords Library Briefing has been published ahead of day 3 of the Lords debate on the Queen’s Speech, covering the following subjects: economic affairs, business, agriculture, environment, energy and transport.
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