Environment & Energy
Latest Environment & Energy Publications

The Future of Carbon Pricing: Implementing an independent carbon tax with dividends in the UK
Matthew Rooney, Joshua Burke, Warwick Lightfoot and Michael TaylorA economy-wide carbon tax paid by both domestic and international producers would prevent carbon leakage, level the playing field for Britain’s heavy industry, fund a dividend to be paid to taxpayers and tackle climate change, argues the new report from Policy Exchange’s influential Energy unit, The Future of Carbon Pricing: Implementing an independent carbon tax with dividends in the UK. A better approach would reduce the cost of decarbonisation, prevent the offshoring of emissions and make carbon pricing popular.

Small Modular Reactors: The next big thing in energy?
Matthew RooneySmall modular nuclear reactors could be a crucial technology in the drive to decarbonise our energy system, according to Small Modular Reactors: The next big thing in energy? The increased take-up of electric vehicles, the general electrification of our energy system and the need to decarbonise all sectors of our economy mean we need new low carbon sources of electricity and heat to replace existing capacity and meet rising future demands. We need a reliable and affordable low-carbon form of energy – small modular reactors have the potential to be that technology.

Farming Tomorrow
Warwick Lightfoot, Joshua Burke, Nicholas Craig-Harvey, Jonathan Dupont, Richard Howard, Rebecca Lowe, Richard Norrie and Michael TaylorThis 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.
Latest Environment & Energy Blogs

Electricity markets under pressure
The Coronavirus has challenged all sectors of the UK economy, and electricity markets have been no exception. Electricity demand is down by as much as 20%, causing periods of negative electricity prices and unprecedented strain on the Electricity System Operator (ESO), run by National Grid. The ESO is responsible for ensuring that the system can respond to lightning strikes and faults at power stations, and that power lines don’t become overloaded. To do this, the ESO takes “balancing actions”, paying to turn down some generators and paying to turn up others.

Net Zero needs a democratic mandate
Related Content Net Zero will face a backlash if it doesn't attain a proper mandate - this election must give it one, argues Benedict McAleenan from Policy Exchange This article was originally published at BusinessGreen.com Whether its 'Essex man', 'Mondeo man' or...

Britain could be a world leader in how we deal with rubbish
Emerging middle classes around the world are putting the pressure on the UK to think about how it handles waste. It should invest in innovation to become a world leader.
Latest Environment & Energy News

The electric economy: achieving our low carbon energy future
Policy ExchangePolicy 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
Policy ExchangeFollowing 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?’
Policy ExchangeIn 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.