Environment & Energy
Latest Environment & Energy Publications
Clean Growth: How to boost business energy productivity
The Government should establish a new Energy Efficiency Delivery Unit and Energy Performance Certificates should be linked to business rates to incentivise landlords to invest more in energy efficiency, according to Clean Growth, the new report from Policy Exchange’s influential and expert Energy and Environment team. The report calls for a new approach by Government to encourage investment in business energy efficiency to reduce carbon emissions and improve business productivity. Existing tools like the Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme can be much better used – and must be extended to public sector institutions like the NHS and MoD.
Farming Tomorrow
This major new Policy Exchange report sets out the once in a generation opportunity that Brexit offers our nation to reform its agricultural and environmental policy. Since 1973, UK farm and food policies have conformed to the rules and objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) — the EU’s principal policy programme. Doing so has, at great expense, reduced Britain’s agricultural productivity by lessening competition and supporting inefficient farmers. It has also increased costs for consumers. This report outlines opportunities to improve policy by focusing on four main interest groups: consumers, producers, the wider rural economy, and the environment. This report offers timely and comprehensive analysis and answers to some of the most pressing policy questions of our day.
Driving down emissions: How to clean up road transport?
In this major new report — by Policy Exchange’s Head of Energy and Environment, Richard Howard, alongside Matt Rooney, Zoe Begherbi, and David Charlesworth — the case is set out that the Government must take more action now to tackle the twin problems of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from road transport. Amongst other key findings, the report’s analysis reveals that hitting carbon targets will leave a £9-23 billion p.a. hole in tax receipts by 2030, and that official estimates of vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency are highly misleading.
Latest Environment & Energy Blogs
The Clean Growth Strategy: worth the wait?
Policy Exchange’s Energy and Environment Research Fellows, Matthew Rooney and Joshua Burke, respond to the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy. The long awaited strategy document detailing how the UK will meet their emissions reductions targets was published on Thursday. In it there is positive news for onshore wind, nuclear power and the hydrogen economy, whilst fracking is a notable absence. A next big decision for the Government to make is whether the UK will remain in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Policy Exchange are currently conducting research into the potential benefits of leaving the scheme and implementing a British carbon tax system.
A second wind: the economics of offshore become increasingly competitive
Following our ‘The electric economy: achieving our low carbon energy future‘ event this week, where experts debated the future of Britain’s electricity system, Joshua Burke – Policy Exchange Energy and Environment Research Fellow – further explores this area and, in particular, the potential economic benefits of offshore wind.
Can hydrogen and CCS save one another?
Matt Rooney, Policy Exchange’s Energy and Environment Research Fellow – argues that marrying the visions for CCS and hydrogen manufacture could bring multiple benefits to the UK.
Latest Environment & Energy News
The electric economy: achieving our low carbon energy future
Policy Exchange hosted top experts from industry and Parliament for a debate on the future of Britain’s electricity system and the potential role of small modular nuclear reactors in meeting our energy needs. Rachel Reeves MP (Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee) introduced our distinguished panel of speakers including Rt Hon Lord Howell of Guildford (former Secretary of State for Energy), Harry Holt (President of Rolls-Royce Nuclear) and Dr Jenifer Baxter (Head of Energy and Environment at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers). Lord Howell’s comments on the opportunities Brexit presents for nuclear research were covered by the Telegraph.
Policy Exchange’s Richard Howard talks to BBC Wales about Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon
Following his blog on the subject earlier this year, Richard Howard – Policy Exchange’s Head of Environment & Energy – talked to BBC Wales about the Government’s delay in responding to Hendry report on the proposed Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.
Media Coverage of ‘Driving down emissions: How to clean up road transport?’
In a major new report by Policy Exchange, the case is set out that the Government must take more action now to tackle the twin problems of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from road transport. There has been a lot of media coverage of the report, see here for a selection.
Latest Environment & Energy Events
Burn Out: The endgame for fossil fuels
April 27, 2017Dieter Helm’s new book, Burn Out: the endgame for fossil fuels, was launched at Policy Exchange on the 27th April 2017
Going Round in Circles: Developing a new approach to waste policy following Brexit
March 23, 2017To mark the launch of the report, Policy Exchange held an event to discuss both the proposals made in the report, and broader questions concerning the future direction of waste and resources policy following Brexit
Developing a Modern Industrial Strategy
March 20, 2017This major conference gathered together leaders from the fields of politics, academia and business to debate the shape of the emerging Industrial Strategy.