On paper the EU commitment is good; agreeing last December to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent overall by 2020, and by 30 percent if the rest of the world agrees in Copenhagen.

But the three months leading up to the conference aiming to prevent devastating global warming could be fraught for Europe.

A recent Franco-German initiative brandishing the threat of a carbon tax at Europe's borders for products made in countries not doing enough to tackle global warming is a case in point.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are warning their partners of the consequences of a stalemate in Europe, because the Chinese, the Russians and the Indians are going to hard enough to convince anyway, a French strategist said.

The two leaders wrote to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arguing that states that fail to back a deal at the Copenhagen talks should be held accountable.

However many others in Europe oppose this kind of heavy negotiating strategy.

"The Swedish (EU) presidency is totally against it, the European Commission is against, the Danish (hosts in Copenhagen) are against, the British and the Dutch are against, the WTO is against," on European official said.

Even in Germany there is no unanimity on the protectionist approach.

"The European Union should not mess around too much with threats," Belgian Energy Minister Paul Magnette told Le Soir newspaper, summing up the mood.

Merkel warned again Thursday that progress on the crunch UN climate summit in Copenhagen was far from adequate.

"I have to say that when I consider what still has to be achieved before Copenhagen, we cannot be happy," she said.

The other argument beginning to heat up in Europe is the question of national pollution quotas.

The European Commission took a legal hit last week when a top European court annulled its attempt to limit the amount of greenhouse gases that Estonia and Poland can let heavy industry emit.

That decision sets a precedent that could see other countries seek to raise their emission caps and upset the EU's emissions trading scheme, a key plank in Europe's plans for tackling climate change.

The court ruled, that in the cases of Estonia and Poland, the commission had overstepped its authority by rejecting the plans based only on doubts it had about how the countries collected their data.

Six other EU countries -- Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania -- are pursuing similar appeals to Poland and will be encouraged by the court ruling.

Italy is also moving out of step, with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi sending a letter to EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso seeking to renegotiate the caps on his country's carbon dioxide emissions.

So far the commission is standing firm, at least as firm as it can.

EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas issued a statement Thursday seeking to put a lid on events by preventing Warsaw and Tallinn from issuing extra carbon permits to their industries while the matter was still being addressed.

He also suggested that a reevaluation was unlikely to lead to any major change in carbon allowances handed out.

The debate within Europe will be relaunched at the next meeting of EU environment ministers in Luxembourg on October 21, when the subject looks likely to overwhelm the rest of the agenda.

One of those points is the amount of financial aid poorer nations will need annually to tackle and cope with climate change, a figure somewhere between 2-15 billion euros.

Fixing that total and then dividing it up between EU nations will also not be a simple task wither.

Another of the key issues on that agenda is how to get the rest of the world to commit to more coordinated action in Copenhagen.

The world will be looking at Europe to get its green house in order first.

World consumption plunges planet into 'ecological debt', says leading thinktank

Consumption exceeds Earth's annual 'biocapacity' today amid warnings of dependence on overseas food and energy

In a recent charity sector survey the CFDG have recognised that one of the opportunites during the economic downturn is the reduction of costs.  One of these which Utility Aid recognised long ago was the reduction of fees from professional bodies.  At Utility Aid we offer free energy audits to the charity and NFP sector.

Loans for energy saving equipment

On 29th June 2009 changes were made to the size of the loan and size of enterprise supported by the loan scheme. We could now lend your enterprise as much £400,000 or as little as £3,000 to undertake energy saving projects that reduce your energy costs.

We also now lend to businesses that do not qualify for participation in the Carbon Reduction Commitment. As a guideline, this typically includes businesses with an annual electricity spend less than £500,000.

In today’s economic climate, it may be difficult to get the credit you need to upgrade to more energy efficient equipment. Our loans could be the solution. They not only offer interest free credit to help you make your business more efficient, they also help you lower your energy bills and cut carbon emissions.

An unsecured 0% loan that could pay for itself

The Carbon Trust’s Energy-Efficiency Loans are unsecured and interest free, with no arrangement fees and a straightforward application process. Loans can be repaid over a period of up to four years, and many of our borrowers have found that their energy savings more than cover their repayments.

 

 

Loans help

 

 

 

 

Eligibility
Supporting your application (pdf, 0.98mb)
FAQs
Case studies
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Scheme updates

 

 

   

  

Energy regulator Ofgem is proposing a £500 million fund to support large-scale trials of advanced network technology, which it says could help the electricity network accommodate growth in micro-generation and electric vehicle use.

The proposal, announced today (August 3 2009), is for a Low Carbon Networks Fund worth £100 million a year as part of Ofgem's energy price control review for 2010 to 2015. This is now out for consultation with a decision at the end of the year.

 This fund, said Ofgem, could lead to a "world where millions of householders producing electricity for home use and selling suprlus output while more and more small wind farms and other renewable plant connect to the regional networks is in prospect."

The Fund will go to the 14 regional monopolies that run the electricity networks - the District Network Operators (DNOs) - wo will have to try out new advanced network technology, including "smart grids" that can intelligently manage electricity supply and demand. It will meet 90% of the costs with the balance to be met by the operators.

Sme £100 million of the total fund amount would be held back to reward operator consortia for schemes deemed to have brought "particularly valuable learning" to the industry.

It is expected that the much of the funds will be ploughed into extensive smart-grid trials, but Ofgem said it also anticipated network operators will look into advanced technology that can cope with electricity demand for electric car charging points, as well as the fluctuating needs of micro-generators that simultaneously export and import electricity from and to their homes.

Ofgem chief executive Alistair Buchanan, said that the fund would enable the DNOs to "explore new technical and commercial routes" to a low carbon future

The owners of a wind turbine factory on the Isle of Wight won a repossession order today in an attempt to end an occupation of the plant by workers protesting at planned job losses.

A judge at Newport county court granted the order after environmental activists staged a protest at a second wind turbine factory on island as part of a campaign to save hundreds of jobs in the green energy sector.

The campaigners occupied the roof of the Vestas factory, in Cowes, vowing to stay there until workers sacked for continuing their' sit-in at a plant in nearby Newport were reinstated.

Three activists could be seen on the roof of the Cowes building, which faces the waterfront. A fourth protester appeared to be abseiling from the roof to attach a banner that read: "Vestas Workers – Solidarity in Occupation. Save Green Jobs." He waved to ferry passengers in the harbour, who whistled back from the boat.

A group of 11 workers who have occupied the Newport plant for the last two weeks lost their battle against repossession at the court hearing. A barrister for the workers had argued that possession order had not been properly served. But judge Graham White granted the order.

Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, who was in court for today's hearing, said the union would continue with its campaign to save the jobs.

"The court has made its decision, but we will continue with our campaign and the right to work on green energy jobs," he said.

Crow attacked both the company and the government, saying ministers had been "despicable" in failing even to meeti the workers or the union to discuss the possibility of other work going to the factory.

Speaking before the verdict, the workers said their morale had been boosted by the sit-in at Cowes.

Ian Terry, one of the 11, said: "It is good to know that others are willing to stand up and fight for green jobs."

The Cowes factory was occupied at 4am by a Climate Camp group and a member of the RMT unionin an effort to save the Newport factory.

The protest was timed to coincide with Cowes week, the annual sailing regatta. The activists issued a statement saying tens of thousands of people were visiting the island for an event celebrating the natural power of wind.

"At the same time," they said, "workers at Vestas are struggling to keep Britain's only wind turbine blade manufacturer open. Factories in Cowes, Newport and Southampton are being closed with the loss of over 600 jobs as well as many more in support industries."

The group criticised Vestas for leaving employees "high and dry" and accused the company of paying "peanuts" in redundancy settlements and leaving workers with little hope of finding other jobs on the island.

One of the group said: "We are staying here until everyone is reinstated and the closure decision is reversed."

A camp has been set up outside the factory as environmentalists join trade union activists in trying to save the plant.

Yesterday, climate change activists were arrested after gluing themselves together outside the headquarters of the Department of Energy and Climate Change in London in support of the sit-in workers. The protesters, who held up banners saying "Take back the wind power", blockaded the main entrance to the building for several hours before they were detained.

The Trades Union Congress general secretary, Brendan Barber, urged Vestas to rethink its closure decision. He said: "Ed Miliband [the climate change secretary] has proved himself to be a champion of the green agenda and the drive to create new jobs. Now we are asking him to go the extra mile for the 600 workers and the production facility – the only one of its size in Britain – which is vital to building our low-carbon future. Everything must be done to look for positive alternatives."

Chancellor Alistair Darling pledged to spend an additional £375million on energy efficiency measures for homes, businesses and public buildings over the next two years in the 2009 Budget yesterday.

It was also said government would spend a further £70million on small scale community energy programmes in an attempt to reduce Britain’s carbon footprint.

Many consumer groups and charities have criticised the Chancellor’s ‘Green Budget’ however, for not addressing the energy efficiency schemes - CERT and Warm Front - which are failing help the poorest households and hardest to heat homes around the UK.

The CBG have relaunched offering procurement for the charity and not for profit sector.  Please see their website or call the free phone number 0800 195 3010

The Bethany Children’s Trust exists to mobilize a response to the needs of children at risk around the world.

National Voices has signed a utilities contract with Utility Aid.  The expert advice given was the deciding factor.

National Voices is the new umbrella organisation established by and for the voluntary sector. It brings together all national voluntary organisations representing users of health and social care to give them a stronger voice in policy-making.

Utility Aid is pleased to announce a partnership with Inenco. Inenco Market Intelligence Reports contain a full analysis of market data, including prices, market conditions and future outlook, enabling you to make informed decisions about your energy procurement strategy.  This should mean a new very attractive package for the charity sector which Utility Aid and CUI will be pleased to discuss with you and your charity.   www.inenco.com

Utility Aid is delighted to report that Community Church of Huddersfield have signed an energy contract which includes support from CUI company.

The energy reports will start monthly once the contract goes live.  It is hoped that in the future large and small charities can purchase their energy as on group.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7723239.stm

The above link is of interest to all Utility-Aid customers as oil prices are linked to Electricity and Gas prices.  Please read on AND REMEMBER TO CONTACT US FOR YOUR ENERGY AUDIT.

Please note that any E4B customers should call us straight away and we shall put you with a new supplier after E4B went into liquidation today.

Telephone or email our offices for details.

http://www.utility-aid.co.uk/uploads/File/The Worlds Greatest Threat.pdf

 

BGC was set up by Bedford Mencap in April 1997 as a garden maintenance project to provide hands on work experience for adults with learning disabilities. As well as the Garden Force, we now have a furniture workshop and can offer a variety of Educational experiences.  Beds Garden Carers have just signed a contract for their energy which was looked after by Utility Aid.  The perfect solution was researched by Utility Aid to ensure that utility costs for this well run charity were kept as low as possible.

Ed Miliband will be greeted today on his first full day of work as the new secretary of state for energy and climate change with a 100-page Oxfam report showing how disjointed the government has become in tackling these two most pressing environmental problems.

The Oxfam Forecast report highlights how the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBRR) and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have been contradictory in their policies.

It likens the different interests of companies, government departments and public attitudes as a "gathering storm", which must be resolved if UK climate policy is to secure a low-carbon future.

"Too often it has been a case of the left hand having no idea what the right hand is up to, and this [new department] must now bring a much-needed cohesiveness to government policies. With global climate and energy security at stake, the government must now demonstrate powerful leadership," said Barbara Stocking, head of Oxfam.

The report also urges companies like E.ON and Shell to reconsider their plans in light of climate change. "Strong decisions in boardrooms and Whitehall must be made over the next few months to ensure that we meet the challenges of climate change and begin to give the people we work with the chance for a better flood and famine free future."

"If E.ON is allowed to build the UK's first coal plant in 34 years, annual CO2 emissions from the Kingsnorth plant will be 7m tonnes — more than the combined output of 30 developing countries. A decision … to build Kingsnorth will open the way for a new coal era and jeopardise future UK emissions targets," it says.

The UK's independent climate change committee is expected to recommend this week that the government sets a binding target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 .

Shell plans to treble its investment by 2015 in unconventional oil sources such as those from Canada's oil sands, which are three times more polluting to produce.

"Going ahead with these plans would send a strong message to other countries that new dirty fossil fuels are acceptable, which would derail attempts to combat global warming at an international level — the consequences of which would be felt most by the poorest people on the planet," the report says.

Utility Aid announced a roadshow event with CUI the first event in will be held in Glasgow. Aimed at maximising the CUI message and featuring speakers from the energy and metering industries. The events are free and open to all charities and businesses. Further events will be held throughout 2008-2009 in Newcastle, Manchester, London and Birmingham.

If you would be interested in attending an event then please
e-mail enquiries@utility-initiativeve.com or call 0808 408 0548

Utility-Aid and CUI anounce the AMR option taken up by Livability will commence reporting very soon.  The capability to reduce energy consumption and receive 100% accurate billing will help the charity save on energy bills whilst employing disabled people as Energy Efficiency Managers.

Utility-Aid Ltd have signed utility contracts for Atholl centre in Scotland.  The markets still moving upwards means that longer contracts are the way to keep tarriff in check.

Once again the innovative thinking behind Utility-Aid Ltd has pushed the possibilities of reducing your domestic energy costs down by searching the markets for the best deals.  Then every six months the markets will be searched again to ensure the best deals are always available to house owners hence SAVING MONEY on utility bills.......

Global demand for energy has risen inexorably in the last 150 years in step with industrial development and population growth. Hunger for energy is predicted to continue to rise, by at least 50% by 2030, as developing countries like China and India seek to fuel their rapid economic growth. 

The lion's share of global energy (about 80% at present) is supplied by coal, oil and gas - the 'fossil fuels' that formed long ago from the carbon-rich remains of dead plants and animals. However these are non-renewable sources that will one day be exhausted.

Leading North West charity Making Space have joined the Charity Utility Initiative and requested the installation of SmartMETERs into all premises. Being able to continually monitor each location’s consumption will enable the charity to move towards a significant reduction in usage, helping with budgets but also helping to develop a ethical energy policy going forward.

Friends of the Elderly have taken the advice of Utility Aid and placed their electricity and gas contracts with a market leading supplier at competitive fixed rates.

Utility Aid has helped Motor Neurone Disease Association negotiate a new short term contract to fix its gas rates while the market rates were favorable.

Sense UK have seen the benefit of the CUI and taken the decision to fit smart meters into all properties. The partnership with the CUI will see the charity making positive steps to reducing its utilities expenditure and carbon footprint by the installation of SmartMETERs. The charity will install smart meters on gas and electricity ensuring their full consumption is monitored and controlled in the most prudent way.

Utility Aid has helped national deaf and blind charity; Sense Retail negotiates a new electricity contract. The contract sees the charity fix its Electricity price for retail outlets at a very competitive rate.

Utility Aid have launched the Charity Utility Initiative (CUI) a project designed to help charities, not for profits and ethical businesses control and reduce utility expenditure. The scheme is designed to help clients reduce utility usage, increase billing efficiency and release human resource. The scheme encompasses the core areas of Utility Aids business and sees the installation of the latest technology to help control expenditure; this technology is installed as a cost negative exercise meaning CUI clients are leading the way in energy efficiency.

Utility Aid has signed a formal agreement with Community Ethical Trading Limited (CETL) to distribute smartMETERs and smartMETERing services to its clients. The partnership will enable Charities, Not for Profits and SME’s finally draw a line under the historical inefficiencies in the reading and billing of utility meters.