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The Environment Bill will be further strengthened with an amendment that will see a duty enshrined in law to ensure water companies secure a progressive reduction in the adverse impacts of discharges from storm overflows, the government announced today (26th of October.) During wet weather, storm overflows release diluted wastewater into rivers, preventing a combination of sewage and rain from...

Key international trade partners, including the US, EU, Australia and Canada, have agreed to end export credit support for unabated coal-fired power plants, the UK Government has announced. This was agreed at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) meeting ahead of COP26. The UK ended all financial support for overseas fossil fuel projects in March 2021 and is encouraging...

Plans setting out how the Welsh Government will be investing in infrastructure and working with the private sector to give people in Wales the confidence to make the switch to electric vehicles have been unveiled today. With already more than 1,000 public charging points across Wales, one for every six battery electric vehicles according to the Welsh Government, the plans...

Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is seeking views on proposals to phase out the installation of fossil fuel heating systems in homes, businesses and public buildings off the gas grid. The first consultation focuses on phasing out fossil fuel heating in homes off the gas grid, seeking views on government proposals, including: an end to new fossil...

Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has launched a call for evidence on improving delivery assurance of the Capacity Market and early actions to align the scheme with net zero. According to the consultation document, the Capacity Market is at the heart of the government’s approach to ensuring a secure and reliable electricity system. The Capacity Market provides all forms...

A new consultation seeks views on proposals to introduce a market-based mechanism to support the development of the UK market for low-carbon electric heat pumps. According to Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), this mechanism will create a market incentive to grow the numbers of heat pumps installed in existing premises each year, providing industry with a 'clear,...

Often referred to as the equivalent of England’s rainforests, 85% of the world’s chalk streams are estimated to be in England and around 29% of these are in East Anglia. Most water in the East comes from rainwater stored deep underground in natural chalk ‘aquifers’, which feed chalk streams. Chalk streams also need good water quality for different species of...

Water regulator Ofwat has published a discussion paper setting out the case for how open data can enable water companies to 'create value for water customers, communities and the environment.' Open data means making data freely available to everyone to access, use and share, unless there’s a 'really strong justification' for not doing that.  Lisa Commane, Senior Director at Ofwat, commented:...

The Ofgem Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme (Energy Redress Scheme) has opened its thirteenth round of funding, making £11.5 million available to charities across England, Scotland and Wales. Grants will be awarded to support initiatives that work towards a just transition and reduce the impact of the climate emergency associated with energy use. Managed and delivered by Energy Saving Trust, the...

A second round of applications of the Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (SIETF) is now open, the Scottish Government has announced. The application window for a second round of SIETF will remain open until 17th of December 2021. The second round of the fund has an expanded scope to include more industrial sectors and welcomes enquiries from projects or studies to...