Energy & Environmental Management articles from September 2002

Energy & Environmental Management archives from September 2002

New project funding.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The Carbon Trust is looking for projects to fund under its Foundation Programme in the areas of demonstration projects and market diffusion. Its first call, in May 2002, attracted many responses in the area of research and development of low...

Technology list expands.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The Energy Technology List, which details the range of energy-saving products and technologies that can qualify for Enhanced. Capital Allowances, has been expanded. The latest qualifying list will additionally include: heat pumps for space...

Efficiency week.(Energy Efficiency week, October 14-20, 2002)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The Energy Saving Trust's Energy Efficiency Week runs from Monday 14-20 October. It aims to show how with energy efficiency measures, each home could cut bills and carbon emissions by up to one third per year. More information: Energy...

Value from waste. (News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Value was recovered from six million tonnes of municipal waste (21%) mainly through recycling, composting and energy recovery--an increase of 500,000 tonnes on the previous year--according to the new municipal waste management survey for...

Recycling with PFI. (News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The first new approvals since Government changed its waste PFI criteria to emphasise the importance of recycling in long-term waste solutions have been approved by Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett. Two new PFI-funded recycling...

Grasp the potential: Lovins tells UK businesses there's huge untapped potential for energy efficency. (News).
September 1, 2002... Amory Lovins, CEO of US Rocky Mountain Institute, has told senior UK business people that the role of price in driving energy savings is only one factor in achieving the more efficient use of energy and that other factors need to be given more...

Energy sector improves. (News).(UK, environmental performance)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The UK's energy sector gets good marks for improved environmental performance but is still responsible for serious pollution, according to the Environment Agency. "One of the best sectors on operational performance is fuel and power," said...

Reporting to be encouraged. (News).(corporate social and environmental reporting, UK)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Corporate social and environmental reporting will not be mandatory under new draft company law. But company directors who decide not to do it will "risk adverse comparison and questions from shareholders and others" and ultimately could have to...

Call on city to back renewables. (News).(UK)
September 1, 2002... British based banks could lose out on significant investment opportunities unless they are prepared to show more enthusiasm for financing renewables projects, Minister for Energy, Brian Wilson, warned the City. Speaking to a conference of...

37% decline in ecosystems. (News).(1970-2000)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... A report from WWF predicts that global living standards will fall rapidly from 2030 unless significant efforts to improve resource efficiency are made. The charity calculates there was a 37% decline in ecosystems between 1970 and 2000. Largely...

Renewable winners. (News).(technologies developed by US Dept. of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Three technologies developed by the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory are among this year's 100 most significant innovations, as judged by Research & Development Magazine. The Smart, High-Performance...

Sainsbury's signs up to save energy. (News).(contract with RWE)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Sainsbury's has signed a contract with utility company RWE to cut its 50 million [pounds sterling] a year energy bill by 11% over two years. RWE Solutions UK Ltd will manage a 14.5 million [pounds sterling] investment programme of energy...

Levy is saving energy. (Energy News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Thirty six per cent of major energy users have implemented measures to improve energy efficiency or reduce consumption to cut increased energy costs due to the Climate Change Levy, according to a London Electricity survey. This figure is...

Industry more aware. (Energy News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Industry is keeping an increasingly keen eye on energy usage, aware that you can't make savings without monitoring it. The UK Controls & Building Management Systems market rose by 16.9% last year, according to the Building Controls Group of...

Net metering partners. (Energy News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The UK's biggest electricity supplier--npower--and Solar Century have agreed jointly to develop an affordable solar `account' where the individual customer also acts as a mini-generator. It will use net metering, where meters can run forwards...

Mystery shoppers blow the whistle. (Energy News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Energy companies should do more to help customers benefit from energy efficiency, according to Ofgem, which has rated the best and worst performers. It also says energy companies must do more to identify those most in need and help them. Ofgem...

Cost of clean energy. (Energy News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... What are the true costs of electricity when environmental impacts or external costs are properly accounted for? A new report Clean Generation? backed by British Energy, offers individual perspectives from leading figures in energy and...

NEA roadshow for LAs. (Energy News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The NEA, the national energy charity campaigning for Britain's fuel poor, has received a DEFRA grant of 873,577 [pounds sterling], plus an additional 89,200 [pounds sterling] for a feasibility study of renewable energy and the role it can play...

When is recycling not recycling? (EU News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Waste cannot be considered recycled until it has been fully reprocessed into a pure form suitable for immediate re-use. That's the definitive judgment in a landmark case in the European court of justice, concerning the EU packaging waste...

EC wants diesel rate harmonized. (EU News).
September 1, 2002... The European Commission is proposing to harmonise diesel taxes for road haulage and passenger transport. Currently there are wide differences between member states, the UK having by far the highest rate. The Treasury is likely to resist...

Packaging agreed. (EU News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... EU environment ministers have provisionally agreed new legislative texts for packaging waste and major accident hazards. Member states should achieve a 10% cut in the volume of packaging waste produced annually by 2006 from a baseline of 1998,...

Voluntary codes? (EU News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The European Commission wants EU-wide voluntary environmental agreements with industry without recourse to legislation. PVC plastic is likely to be the first sector topic for testing this approach. Six agreements are on the agenda for the next...

Royal standard for enterprising business. (Feature).
September 1, 2002... Businesses which embrace sustainability rather than simply adopt basic compliance could be in line for royal recognition, says Penny Walker, independent sustainability consultant and a member of the working group which set up the Sustainable...

The beginning of the end for landfill? (Waste News).
September 1, 2002... The European Landfill Directive became law in June: not only will the UK have to drastically reduce the amount of waste it buries, but landfill site operators will have to meet stringent new standards or face closure. Some of the...

Recycling fund favours neighbourhood renewal. (Waste News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Local authorities in England will receive a total of 42 million [pounds sterling] this year from the National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund to kick start 112 new projects. The Government is now inviting applications for grants from...

Green markets `blow'. (Renewables).
September 1, 2002... The prices for green energy are expected to increase due to supply shortages, according to a recent survey. It casts doubt on whether enough plants will be built to meet Government targets. The survey, Green energy in Europe, Strategic...

Wind power for 1,100 homes. (Renewables).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Britain's first wind energy project purpose built to power local homes is now fully operational. Situated in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, the wind park has been built and funded entirely by Ecotricity. The two 600kW wind turbines provide...

Green Energy. (Renewables).(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
September 1, 2002... Contrary to last issue's article on renewable electricity supply schemes, Green Energy UK does offer a Climate Levy exempt product. It also plans to give up to 100,000 customers free shares, so they will own 50% of the business. See...

Health saving. (Renewables).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Six health and social care buildings in County Down are now getting their energy from wind power via Northern Ireland company Airtricity. Robert Spence, environmental engineer with the Down Lisburn Trust, says: "The company offers us not...

Solar roof grants.
September 1, 2002... The first home has been fitted with solar roof-slates by Solar Century, under a 20 [pounds sterling] million Government initiative to increase the number of UK domestic photovoltaic installations ten fold by 2005. "It is very encouraging...

New PV projects.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Projects including Ford's Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence at Dagenham, a roof refurbishment on a social housing block, a transport interchange and a primary school in Wales will all get electric solar power under the DTI's...

Earthships take off.
September 1, 2002... Is building with tyres a solution to the tyre mountain? A pilot office building in Fife is one of two in the UK that its builders hope will be the first of a fleet of `earthships'. They are solar-powered homes and work spaces that collect...

Cash for regions.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... 1.7 million [pounds sterling] has been made available to the regions to help plan and promote renewable energy. The money, from a two year programme worth up to 2.5 million [pounds sterling], has been allocated to the regional Government Office...

Energised--creating new partnering agreement. (Energy).
September 1, 2002... Elyo UK are experts in delivering a diverse range of energy-related services solutions. Their strength in the UK energy market is being increased with their recent partnering agreement with BP's energy marketing business. Elyo, a...

Army puts best foot forward. (News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The Quartermaster Team at Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, Grantham, have demonstrated the Army's environmental commitment by winning the annual Army Energy Efficiency Award. SSgt Boris Kilner (pictured receiving a commemorative claret...

New framework guidance for sustainability available. (News).
September 1, 2002... Cross-government targets for travel, water consumption, and establishing environmental management systems are covered in a new Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate, launched by Michael Meacher. It can be...

Cool cash for warm homes. (News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Local authorities, health organisations, voluntary and community agencies are invited to apply for a grant from the NEA/British Gas Warm Homes Week Award Scheme, part of the Warm Homes Week campaign (22 November to 2 December 2002). This would...

Part L--a major factor in cutting carbon. (Feature).
September 1, 2002... It is six months since radical changes were made, to the Building Regulations on the conservation of fuel and power. Although further developments are expected, and an EU directive is also due in 2002/3, the process of working towards improved...

Edie named centre of excellence. (Advertisement Feature).
September 1, 2002... The UK's leading environmental portal, www.edie.net, has been included in the UK's network of Centres of Expertise in Manufacturing by the Department of Trade and Industry's Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS). The formation of MAS was...

Weavers get competitive. (Best Practice).
September 1, 2002... Action Energy, the Government-backed initiative from The Carbon Trust, is helping businesses to cut costs with energy advice. Together with Government energy loans initiatives, this is cutting the cost of energy for companies across Britain....

Waste not, want not. (Best Practice).
September 1, 2002... A long-term commitment to energy efficiency is paying dividends for Flintshire firm Warwick International. Starting in 1992, when it signed up to the Government's `Making a Corporate Commitment' campaign, it has used a variety of techniques to...

Getting down to business. (Best Practice).
September 1, 2002... If there is one thing that has been agreed in advance of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, it is that governments alone cannot deliver sustainable development. Partnerships between governments and with civil society, and in...

Addressing agenda 21. (Feature).
September 1, 2002... When it comes to dealing with global warming and climate change most of us who understand the issues and are concerned for the future feel helpless. Whatever we do to modify our actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be a small step on...

Chip power for coppers: more and more organisations are taking an interest in the benefits of powering their vehicles with recycled cooking fats. (Feature).
September 1, 2002... Police are patrolling Humberside in vehicles powered by fats and oils used to cook chips, crisps and poppadums. A major supermarket chain, Morrison's, is testing the fuel on lorries operating from its distribution centre in Northwich. The...

Events diary. (Resources).(Calendar)
September 1, 2002... 22-24 October: The Renewable Power Delivery conference rakes place ar the Sustainable Energy Expo, Olympia 2, London. Speakers include Brian Wilson, MP, John Doddrell (DTI), John Humphrys, John Mogford (BP) and Baroness Young (EA). British...

IPPC--practical guide. (Resources).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The second edition of Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control: a Practical Guide has been issued to take account of the Landfill Directive, and supersedes the first edition. Comments are invited by DEFRA on what it says and on experience of...

Call for green power standard. (Resources).
September 1, 2002... Environmental group WWF wants a single European standard for certifying renewable electricity to prevent power from sources such as waste incineration benefiting from expanding consumer interest in clean energy. The WWF reports the public...

New BRE titles. (Resources).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... * A sustainability checklist for developments--practical tools and indicators for buildings and infrastructure (BR 436, 50 [pounds sterling]). * Managing Sustainable Construction--Accelerated Learning This pack is for managers with...

Air quality study. (Resources).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... A DEFRA-commissioned study by AEA Technology has found positive correlations between air pollution and social deprivation for most of the cities it studied See www.aeat.co.uk/netcen/airqual/reports/strategicpolicy...

Impacts network. (Resources).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The UK Climate Impacts Programme steering committee plans a capacity building network to meet the growing need for information on climate change impacts. See www.ukcip.org.uk and www.changingclimate.org, for the latest status of all...

Introductions. (Resources).
September 1, 2002... Don't know where to start with sustainable development and energy? Two new web directories for local sustainable development issues packed with annotated links can be found at www.wmin.ac.uk/eric/and www.cyberium.co.uk/sustain2.htm

Degree Days--June & July 2002. (Resources).
September 1, 2002... Degree Days--June & July 2002 Thames South Southern South Severn Valley Eastern Western Valley 20 yr.avg 46 64 69 59 45 Jun '01 47 68...

Environmental drivers to fore. (Resources).
September 1, 2002... Despite the increasingly widespread adoption of Environmental Management Systems in business, many organisations are overlooking the importance of transport issues to environmental strategies. To this end the EEBPp--now rebranded as Action...

Government office environmental and energy management contacts.
September 1, 2002... There are 12 environmental and energy management contacts in government offices who can advise on energy and environmental business support activities in your region. Also contact the Environment and Energy Helpline 0800 585...

Focus on waste ... and recycling: the perception of what waste is, what to do with it, and how it relates to wider issues of environment and economics is changing. The challenge to deliver a more sustainable waste management solution is recognised as a significant one.
September 1, 2002... When the Government published its strategy for sustainable development in May 1999, it outlined four objectives: * Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone * Effective protection of the environment * Prudent use of...

Communication the key: as an influx of environmental and waste directives from Europe continues to present new challenges to policy-makers, regulators, waste producers and waste managers, Dr Jane Price of the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management views the opportunities ahead ... (focus on waste and recycling).
September 1, 2002... Environmental policy-makers in the UK are increasingly under pressure to translate sustainable theory into practice; none more so than those involved in waste management. The last decade has seen an influx of directives from Europe. The...

Don't throw away your profits: a surprising number of companies continue to throw away profit in the form of avoidable waste. They are losing out to other businesses who gain the competitive edge by making more effective use of raw materials and minimising the amount of waste they produce. (focus on waste and recycling).
September 1, 2002... Every day millions of pounds of potential profit literally go to waste--dumped in skips, flowing down waste pipes and escaping into the air. Waste costs UK business up to 4.5% of its annual turnover. Taking steps to adopting resource efficiency...

Processors preserving profits as well as fruit and veg: modern lifestyles have brought significant changes for fruit and vegetable processing. People now demand fast-cook foods and ready meals, while the huge upsurge in foreign travel has whetted the public appetite for foods rarely seen in the UK before the 1970s. (focus on waste and recycling).
September 1, 2002... These demands can be met thanks, in part, to improvements in freight transportation, storage and handling which speed exotic fruits and vegetables to our shores within barely a day of being harvested. Sourcing ingredients across the globe means...

Litter--how to clean-up UK's mess. (focus on waste and recycling).
September 1, 2002... Britain's litter problem has as much to do with Middle England as it does with mindless thugs, and those who claim to be good citizens are quite prepared to drop rubbish if they're driving, drunk or when they think there's no one watching....

WRAP makes its mark: making a real difference in one year ... recycled materials markets are on the move. (focus on waste and recycling).
September 1, 2002... Created in 2001 to promote sustainable development and stimulate recycling in the UK by creating stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has reported substantial progress...

Where there's waste, there are imaginative local solutions. (focus on waste and recycling).
September 1, 2002... In July, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published the latest list of local authority PFI projects endorsed by the Project Review Group. Nine of them are waste management projects: in East London Waste Authority, East Sussex &...

On the road with recycled aggregates: efforts to make good use of secondary and recycled materials have helped construction products firm RMC Aggregates develop a strategy for managing waste. (focus on waste and recycling).
September 1, 2002... Effective waste management and recycling strategies need to be flexible in their formulation and reviewed often to ensure they continue to comply with changing attitudes and trends. These are the sentiments of RMC Aggregates' technical services...

What shall we do about ... (focus on waste and recycling).
September 1, 2002... Fridges The well-known fridge mountain is currently enlarging at a rate of 6500 a day. Fridges should be disposed of using facilities which are not yet widely available in the UK. All ozone depleting substances such as CFCs must be...

Making the contacts. (focus on waste and recycling).
September 1, 2002... Community Recycling Network promotes community waste management, supports local groups and provides a national voice for community recyclers. Trelawney House, Surrey Street, Bristol BS2 8PS; tel. 0117 942 0142; www.cn.org.uk. Composting...

Strategy must improve to deliver. (focus on waste and recycling).
September 1, 2002... Sustainable waste strategies will be delivered if waste strategy improves, the public are meaningfully involved, and clear information on that delivery is made available, according to recommendations made to the Government's PIU Waste Review....