In its dying days, the Labour government bequeathed to its successors a rich mix of energy and climate targets, legislation and guidance. Most of this will survive in some form.

At the heart of UK climate and energy policy is the Climate Change Act 2008 and last summer’s Low Carbon Transition Plan. This aims at cutting UK greenhouse gas emissions by at least 34% by 2020 relative to 1990 and delivering a low carbon economy by 2050. Departmental carbon budgets have provided more detail on what is expected from each sector of the economy. (more…)

• Ernst & Young survey finds corporate carbon expenditure to increase
• India discloses carbon emissions for first time in more than a decade
• New gas supplies point to £110 carbon price
• Carbon traders’ gloomy outlook
• Scotland lagging on carbon reduction from government estate

Organisations regulated under the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme should be looking beyond the first league table and thinking about how to stay with the leaders in the longer term.

This was the message from a recent seminar run by carbon research unit ENDS Carbon and the subject of an article I’ve written for the latest issue of the ENDS Report. Both companies are part of the Haymarket Media Group. (more…)

• Arcelor Mittal and Lafarge accused over EU ETS lobbying
• Carbon Trust helps public sector cut energy bills
• Government departments commit to cutting carbon emissions
• Automotive industry readies for regulatory impact of the CRC

Hello and welcome to the ENDS Carbon & Energy Efficiency blog.

This blog supports the new ENDS Report Carbon & Energy Efficiency Channel on our just relaunched website.

The ENDS Report is the UK’s leading professional source on environment, carbon and sustainability issues, published since 1978.

The carbon and energy channel will deliver indispensable news and analysis aimed at carbon and energy managers in companies and the public sector. This blog will provide space for more informal commentary and topical updates.

Updates on this blog can be tracked via RSS, and also via a free weekly Carbon & Energy Efficiency email bulletin due to launch next week.

I’m responsible for managing the ENDS Carbon & Energy Efficiency channel and blog. Please do get in touch with me directly at james.richens@ends.co.uk or leave a comment with your thoughts on our future coverage.