Energy Costs
More than 100 Labour MPs are to demand a one-off tax on energy companies for refusing to pass on recent sharp cuts in oil prices to millions of customers.
Observer 14th Dec 2008 more >>
Korea
North Korea threatened on Saturday to slow disablement of its main nuclear plant after Washington said energy aid to the state had been suspended due to failed talks on verifying the North’s operations.
Reuters 13th Dec 2008 more >>
UAE
The United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are close to clinching a deal for civilian nuclear cooperation, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Friday.
Middle East Online 13th Dec 2008 more >>
Renewables
Penny-pinching and red tape are suffocating government plans for a rapid increase in the amount of renewable energy used in Britain. The plans – a cornerstone of ministers’ strategy to combat climate change – set out to multiply the proportion of the country’s energy provided by renewables by an ambitious five times in just 12 years. But they have yet to make headway because of official foot-dragging. A government fund set up three years ago to encourage the development of wave and tide power has yet to provide a single penny to any device designed to tap the sea’s energy. Civil service obstruction is holding up the deployment of rooftop wind turbines, despite a personal assurance from the Prime Minister that the problem had been solved. And grants for solar power have been cut back.
Independent on Sunday 14th Dec 2008 more >>
Climate
The big-picture deal that needs to be struck at Copenhagen is becoming clearer. The rich countries have to commit themselves to credible deep cuts in carbon emissions. The European Union has led the way. Meanwhile, the developing world has to accept caps on emissions, but in return for money from the rich world – compensation, if you like, for our having pulled up the ladder behind us. We can contain our disappointment at the lack of concrete results at Poznan. What matters is the difference that Barack Obama can make in the year running up to Copenhagen.
Independent on Sunday 14th Dec 2008 more >>
