Green Options » britian

International Renewable Energy Agency Launched, US and UK Opt Out

Mridul Chadha — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:30:00 +0000

First conceived by Willy Brandt in 1980, an international body which would be responsible for helping developed and developing nations forge a mutual partnership to promote the use of renewable energy came into existence. The International Renewable Energy Agency or Irena is seen as an ‘institutional counterbalance’ to the International Energy Agency, which, in the eyes of some European leaders, favors use of fossils fuels over renewable energy sources.

Europe is continuously pushing for greater use of renewable energy to achieve its emissions reduction goals and has thrown its weight behind this new agency. However, the United States and Britain have, for the time being, refused to be members of the same.

While the U.S., under the leadership of President Barack Obama, is expected to join the group soon, Britain has shown no interest in joining the international agency any time soon. Britain maintains that it would come on-board once the developing countries like China, India and Brazil join the agency and commit to its energy goals.

UK Loses Billions in Renewables Installation Because of US Tax Rebates

Jerry James Stone — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:30:22 +0000

BP And Shell Dump Plans For Renewables In The UK Due To The U.S. Governments’ Tax Rebates And President-Elect Barack Obama

Delivering quite a blow to both Gordon Brown and Britain, BP has dumped its plans to build out wind farms and other renewable projects in Britain for projects in the United States. The US government incentives for clean energy projects provide convenient tax shelter for oil and gas revenues - something BP is looking for with an estimated $8 billion earmarked for the initiative.

Convenience is another factor. BP, which has a representative on the ruling board of the British Wind Energy Association, said difficulty in getting planning permission and lower economies of scale made the UK wind sector far less attractive than that of the US.

>>More on wind energy in Europe

UK Starts World’s Largest Algae Biofuel Initiative

Jerry James Stone — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:37:42 +0000

Great Britain hopes that algae-based biofuels can reduce automotive and aviation emissions by 2030, and cut overall emissions by 80% by 2050.

While food-based biofuels are taking the heat for rising food prices, other solutions - like algae - are gaining a more serious following. For example, the UK’s Carbon Trust has announced plans for a project to make algae bio-fuels a commercial reality by the year 2020

But the situation is much more than some “food vs fuel” finger pointing. The fact that transport accounts for one-quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions is major driving factor - pun intended: it’s also the fastest growing cause of carbon emissions in the UK. If the government’s target to reduce overall emissions by 80% by 2050 is to be met, then initiatives like this are crucial.