“The Committee is right to be concerned about Government action on climate change.

“The Climate Change Act is a world-class piece of legislation, but the true test is the policies put in place to deliver its goals.

“Crucial strategies on fossil fuels, aviation and energy infrastructure, due out shortly, will demonstrate whether or not the Government has heeded the Committee’s warnings.

“These National Policy Statements must clearly set out their carbon impacts and how they will deliver on the UK’s carbon budgets – failure to do so will seriously undermine the Government’s international leadership on climate change.

“Developing the UK’s huge renewable energy potential and slashing energy waste will bring huge economic benefits, deliver new green jobs and put Britain at the forefront of securing a safer, cleaner future for us all.”

Friends of the Earth led the campaign for the Climate Change Act, which was passed in November 2008 after 200,000 people and Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke supported its Big Ask campaign.

The Act requires the UK to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050. The Committee on Climate Change has said that the UK should cut its emissions by at least 34 per cent by 2020 but says that this should rise to at least 42 per cent if an international climate agreement is reached – a target scientists say is required if the UK is to play its part in tackling the threat of catastrophic climate change.

Friends of the Earth says that the UK should agree to cut emissions by at least 42 per cent – and meet this target at home, without buying carbon offsets.

Notes to Editors:

1.   The press release and report from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) can
be found at: http://www.theccc.org.uk/news

2.   National Policy Statements (NPS) will set out the Government’s long-term
view on what major infrastructure projects the UK will need. The newly formed Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) will use these NPS to determine whether to allow planning applications for projects such as new fossil fuel power stations, renewables projects, nuclear power stations, roads, railways, airports and grid infrastructure.

3.   For further information about Friends of the Earth’s Big Ask campaign,
visit: http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/news/big_ask_history_15798.html

If you are a journalist seeking press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

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The final details of the Government’s scheme to save organisations money on fuel bills and to reduce carbon emissions have been unveiled today by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

The Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme is a new regulatory incentive to improve energy efficiency in large public and private sector organisations. Large energy users in business and the public sector will be required to take part in the scheme from 1st April 2010.

Following extensive consultation with businesses and trade bodies, DECC has made some improvements to the scheme:

• To smooth the introduction of the scheme and to help ease the upfront costs, organisations will only have to report emissions in the first year (2010/11). In subsequent years organisations will have to buy allowances corresponding to their emissions from energy use, and then surrender them by the end of the year.
• In the second year (2011/12) extra weighting will be given to organisations which take action early to improve energy efficiency.
• Recognition will be given to organisations which use onsite renewable energy like wind turbines or solar panels by publishing the increased carbon savings from such measures.
• Organisations will be given greater flexibility in how they participate. Subsidiaries who are large enough to qualify in own right (at least 6000MWh) may opt to do so separately from their organisational group.
• Given the primary focus of the scheme is energy efficiency, the CRC will now be known as CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.

The CRC will help to ensure that large organisations play their full role in contributing to our emissions reductions of at least 34% on 1990 levels by 2020 through improved energy efficiency.

The scheme is mandatory and will save participants around £1billion per year by 2020 through cost effective energy efficiency measures that are not yet being taken up.

By 2020 the scheme is expected to have delivered emissions savings of at least 4.4 Mt CO2 per year.

The scheme will target organisations whose annual half hourly metered (HHM) electricity use is at least 6,000 Megawatt hours (MWh) will qualify for the scheme – typically those that spend £0.5 million a year on electricity. The Environment Agency will publish the qualification and registration guidance for potential CRC participants by November.

The basic timeline for CRC remains;

First phase – The three year ‘Introductory Phase’ starts in April 2010. An unlimited number of allowances will be available at a fixed price of £12/tCO2. From the second compliance year onwards, participants will annually have to purchase allowances, monitor energy use, report emissions and surrender allowances. Participants will also receive a revenue recycling payment each year.

Phase 2 –From 2013 Government will cap the number of allowances available each year and all allowances will be auctioned. The cap will be set taking into account advice from the Committee on Climate Change which they will provide in 2010.

-ENDS-

Case Studies

The below organisations fall within the remit for CRC and would be happy to be contacted for media purposes;

• HILTON HOTELS
  Press Office contacts 020 7856 8076 or email: Jules.Kerby@hilton.com
• GUY’S AND ST THOMAS’ NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
  Press Office contacts 020 7188 5577 or email: press@gstt.nhs.uk
• THE NATIONAL THEATRE
  Press Office contact details: 020 7452 3235 or email:   press@nationaltheatre.org.uk
• LONDON FIRE BRIGADE
  Press Office contacts: 020 8536 5922 or email: press@london-fire.gov.uk

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Leeds, UK, September 30, 2009 — Can you imagine driving a car which is fuelled by hydrogen and emits nothing but water? It sounds like the ultimate pipedream – a lovely idea, but scientifically impossible.

But it’s not fantasy – engineers really can produce vehicles like this. And not just on the drawing board, either. They are actually being driven around, in real traffic, on real streets, today.

Car giant Honda has a long history of working at the cutting edge of motor vehicle design, along with a passionate commitment to preserving the environment.

It has developed a car known as the FCX Clarity, which is powered by hydrogen – light, odourless and plentiful – and its exhaust residue is nothing more dangerous than pure water.

The car has been years in the making, and is being driven around in limited numbers on the streets of California right now.

It’s not quite ready for sale, though: there is a lot more work to do before it reaches the car showrooms. The hydrogen stations needed to refill the vehicles when they run low on fuel aren’t built yet, the car is expensive to produce and the production of the hydrogen isn’t yet carbon neutral.

But Honda and others in the worldwide car industry regard these hurdles as challenges rather than obstacles and are determined to keep the research work going. Their hope is that this sort of car will be used everyday by our children or grandchildren.

Honda has always been keen on trying to break new scientific ground. Back in 1986, it produced a humanoid robot which could function independently in a human environment – the aim was that, as in science fiction, it could help people in their daily lives.

The early prototypes looked like washing machines on legs – they couldn’t balance and, as a result, they fell over. But things moved on, and more than 20 years later the robot can run, talk, climb stairs, kick a football and even recognise faces.

The company’s commitment to the environment is as long standing as its desire to lead scientific innovation. More than 50 years ago, the firm’s founder said: “After materials are carried into the factory, nothing but products should be carried out.”

He has been taken at his word – today, Honda’s UK car plant in Swindon recycles around 96 per cent of all the waste it generates. Incredibly, only six kilograms of waste per car goes to landfill, compared to 71 kilograms in 1994. By next year, the company aims to send no waste at all to landfill, by using innovative techniques such as recycling incineration ash to make cement.

It is this commitment which has led Honda to team up with do-it.org.uk – and the Yorkshire Post to set up a dedicated microsite – to persuade people to help green causes by volunteering to spend some of their time with local charities.

The car giant is making its own contribution by donating £5 from every test drive for its new eco-friendly hybrid car, the Insight, to green causes.

If you would like to volunteer and do something for your own local community, then take a look at the Yorkshire Post website now. Go to http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/custompages/customp… for volunteering opportunities in your area. http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

Press Contact:
George Hopkin
Yorkshire Post Newspapers Ltd
PO Box 168 Wellington Street
Leeds LS1 1RF
01132 432701
seo@jpress.co.uk

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/custompages/custompage.aspx?pageid=79862

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The warning comes from sustainability experts Envirowise and follows research which found that 70% of sustainability specialists consider the threat of dwindling water supplies to be equal to the impact of carbon emissions, while 54% believe the world will run out of water before it runs out of fuel1.

It is predicted that UK groundwater will begin to decrease by 2025, with the overall amount of water available in English and Welsh rivers reducing by 15 per cent by 20502.

In London, the issue is a particularly pressing one – the Environment Agency has identified the region as under serious water stress3, highlighting the need for water efficiency measures to be implemented. In addition, many companies could face changes to licences granted to allow water abstraction as result of the Water Act 20034.

Sophie Greenhalgh, Envirowise Regional Manager for London, said: “Water is set to become one of the most dramatically affected resources as the impact of climate change takes hold, but many businesses are not aware of the steps they can take to mitigate against this risk.

”Companies in the capital should explore practical steps including water saving devices and water recovery and reuse technology such as membrane filtration systems, which enable a large proportion of wastewater to be reused for processes such as heating, cooling and cleaning. This can result in major cost savings through lower mains water and disposal charges, as well as an enhanced environmental reputation with customers and investors.

“Taking such action now could not only pay enormous dividends in future years, it can also lead to short-term benefits. In fact, recent Envirowise research5 revealed that UK companies could be missing out on combined savings of up to £10 million per day by failing to make changes in this area.”

UK businesses which pay income or corporation tax can also claim tax relief on recovery and reuse systems and water saving devices through the Water Technology List (WTL), which is managed by Defra and HM Revenue & Customs in partnership with Envirowise as part of the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme for water-efficient technology.

Further information on the benefits of reducing water usage is available at www.envirowise.gov.uk.
ENDS

Issued on behalf of Envirowise and the WTL by Trimedia. For further media information please contact Abi Dare or Davinia Livock on 0117 929 2311.

Notes to editors

1) Statistics taken from http://environment-analyst.com/downloads/Water-survey-press-release.PDF, issue by WSP Energy & Environment, September 2009
2) Statistics taken from ‘Water for people and the environment: Water Resources Strategy for England and Wales’, Environment Agency, March 2009
3) From ‘Water resources in England and Wales – current state and future pressures’, Environment Agency, December 2008 (http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/GEHO1208BPAS-e-e.pdf)
4) ‘The Water Act 2003: Modernising the Regulation of Water Resources’, published by the Environment Agency and available at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Business/water_act_leaflet_833646.pdf
5) Estimate based on data taken from ‘A Review of Water Use in Industry and Commerce’ Addendum Report, Envirowise, March 2008

About Envirowise:
Envirowise is a Government-funded programme dedicated to putting the sustainable use of resources at the heart of UK business practice.

Since 1994 Envirowise has helped UK businesses save over £1bn by enabling them to significantly reduce their environmental footprints.

Envirowise offers businesses of all sizes and sectors a wide range of free, independent and practical advice designed to genuinely improve their processes, profitability and competitiveness. Services include:

• The Envirowise Advice Line on 0800 585794
• An encyclopaedic website (www.envirowise.gov.uk) of valuable and relevant information
• Over 200 events each year, from Product Design Workshops to major exhibitions

About the WTL:
Managed by Defra and HM Revenue & Customs in partnership with Envirowise, the WTL provides a selection of water efficient products that meet published eligibility criteria. The web-based list, available at www.eca-water.gov.uk, is part of the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme for water saving technologies, enabling UK businesses which pay income or corporation tax to claim 100 per cent first-year capital allowances when they purchase listed products for use in their business. This provides a helpful cash flow boost and results in a shortened payback period, allowing companies to quickly reap the financial benefits of water efficiency.

Since its launch in 2003, the WTL has grown to encompass more than 1,800 products which qualify for tax relief. These cover categories ranging from efficient taps and toilets to membrane filtration systems, mechanical seals, efficient washing machines and vehicle wash reclaim units.

http://www.envirowise.gov.uk

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Alton, Hampshire, October 06, 2009 — Award-winning wildlife photographer, Michael Huggan, has released his African Wildlife Calendar for 2010 in association with the world renowned international conservation and animal welfare charity, Born Free Foundation.

The 12 stunning pictures and intimate portraits which appear in the calendar were selected by the Born Free Foundation team, and sales of this outstanding photographic collection will help raise funds for the charity.

About half of the photos in the calendar are, not surprisingly, of cats whilst the remainder are of giraffes, hippopotami and elephants – each one bearing the Born Free logo.

“I noticed that Born Free – a charity I have known, worked with and supported for many years – did not have a calendar of its own, so I asked if they would like to select the photos for me for 2010 – and I am honoured that they agreed,” explains Michael.

Michael Huggan’s 2010 African Wildlife Calendar – the ideal Christmas gift – is exclusively available here: http://www.michaelhuggan.com/salesarea.php. It is 42 x 29 cm (A3) in size and is priced at £10 plus postage & packing (only £3 for UK delivery).

About Born Free Foundation:
Founded by Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers following their starring roles in the classic film ‘Born Free’, the charity is in action in Kenya and worldwide to save lives, stop suffering and rescue individuals. Born Free works to phase out zoos and protect lions, elephants, cheetahs, gorillas, tigers, wolves, bears, chimpanzees, marine turtles and much more, in their natural habitat. Find out more at http://www.bornfree.org.uk

About Michael Huggan:
Michael, a long-time Nikon user and Royal Photographic Society Associate with Distinction (ARPS), lives in Hampshire. His photographic experience covers a wide range of subjects but he is most well known for his wildlife work, for which he has won many awards, most notably a Royal Photographic Society gold medal in 2007. His photography, available as limited edition pictures, calendars, note cards and exhibition-range framed pictures will be on display at the Bluebell pub in Dockenfield, near Farnham, Surrey on Friday 23 Oct 2009 and can also be viewed and purchased at http://www.michaelhuggan.com/salesarea.php. Michael has also launched a new instructional website for budding wildlife photographers: http://www.wildlifephotographyinfo.com. He is also a supporter of the Born Free Foundation.

Contact:
Michael Huggan, ARPS
Michael Huggan Photography
Cranford House
Alton Lane, Four Marks
Alton, Hampshire, GU34 5AJ
01962 773697
michael@michaelhuggan.com

http://www.michaelhuggan.com

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“This is a bureaucratic way to take money from taxpayers and give to the big polluters without much environmental benefit, Green Party Climate Change Spokesperson said today.

With the support of the Maori Party, the Government has proposed sweeping changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme. These include an extension of free allocations to industry and agriculture all the way out to 2050.

“We will be committed to big handouts to big polluters for the next 40 years, in exchange for a few small concessions in the short term.

“The Maori Party used to say that the polluter should pay and now they say that polluters should get paid − when will they stand up for what they believe in?”

“There are better ways than the proposed scheme to help low-income households − like a home insulation scheme or better buses and trains,” Ms Fitzsimons said.

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Met Office Hadley Centre scientists investigated how often decades with a neutral trend in global mean temperature occurred in computer modelled climate change simulations. They found that despite continued increases in greenhouse gas concentrations, a single-decade hiatus in warming occurs relatively often.

Jeff Knight, the article’s lead author, commented: “We found about 1 in every 8 decades has near-zero or negative global temperature trends in simulations which would otherwise warm at expected present-day rates. Given that we have seen fairly consistent global warming since the 1970s, these odds suggest the observed slowdown was due to occur.”

But why do these anomalies occur at all, whether in climate models or in reality? The answer lies in something called ‘internal climate variability’ — the capacity for slow natural variations in the oceans to temporarily modify climate. Computer models used to make climate predictions reproduce this intrinsic character of our climate because they successfully represent many of the necessary fundamental climate processes.

One such internal fluctuation over the last decade could have been enough to mask the expected global temperature rise. However, the Met Office’s decadal forecast predicts renewed warming after 2010 with about half of the years to 2015 likely to be warmer globally than the current warmest year on record.

Commenting on the new study, Vicky Pope, Head of Climate Change Advice at the Met Office said, “Decades like 1999–2008 occur quite frequently in our climate change simulations, but the underlying trend of increasing temperature remains. We cannot be complacent. Indeed, other signals of climate change are increasing as fast, or even faster than ever due to the combined effects of global warming and natural variability — the rapid loss of summer Arctic sea ice is one such example. Early action to reduce the extent and impacts of climate change remains vital.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

For further information contact Met Office Press Office 01392 886655 or email pressoffice@metoffice.gov.uk

Notes:

· The Met Office Hadley Centre is the UK’s foremost centre for climate change research. Mainly funded by DECC (the Department of Energy and Climate Change), Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and the Ministry of Defence, it provides information and advice to the UK Government on climate change issues.

· The American Meteorological Society (www.ametsoc.org) is the USA’s premier scientific organisation for those involved in the atmospheric and related sciences.

· To request a copy of the paper, send your name, organization, and phone number to Stephanie Kenitzer at kenitzer@ametsoc.org

· ‘Do Global Temperature Trends Over the Last Decade Falsify Climate Predictions’ by J. Knight, J.J. Kenney, C. Folland, G. Harris, G.S. Jones, M. Palmer, D. Parker, A. Scaife, and P. Stott is published in a supplement to the August issue of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
Contacts

NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk

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Premier Wen praised “the tremendous contribution made by Lord Mandelson in strengthening and deepening EU-China and UK-China relations over many years.”

The meeting was very friendly and warm and focused on a number of areas including strengthening co-ordination between the UK and China ahead of the forthcoming G20 Summit in Pittsburgh.

Both sides agreed on the need to keep markets open and resist any temptation to erect barriers to free trade. They were very clear that protectionism was not in the world’s interest and agreed on the enormous importance of concluding the Doha world trade talks as soon as possible.

Lord Mandelson, who was accompanied to the meeting by a British business delegation which has been with him throughout his visit to China, also stressed the importance of further work to allow companies to list and invest on each other’s Stock Exchanges.

Lord Mandelson and Premier Wen were united on deepening and strengthening co-operation between their two countries, Premier Wen recognising that China now invested more in the UK than in any other European economy and that Britain invested more in China than any other European country.

On climate change Lord Mandelson urged greater co-operation given the importance of December’s Copenhagen Climate Change Summit and the business opportunities which flow from the production of green technologies and goods. He also urged China to agree a carbon emissions target. Premier Wen said China would work hard for success at Copenhagen.

In the context of EU-China relations both regretted the lack of progress in relation to Market Economy Status (MES).
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)

is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS – Investing in our future.
Contacts

NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk

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“The National Government needs to get serious about keeping New Zealand’s air clean and introduce regulations around fine particle pollutants. These pollutants pose serious health risks to all New Zealanders,” said Dr Russel Norman Green Party Co-Leader.

In answer to a written question from the Green Party Environment Minister Nick Smith has admitted that New Zealand does not have any standards for monitoring air pollutant particulates that are 2.5 microns or smaller.

Fine particle pollution is particularly dangerous for people who are exposed to vehicle pollution in and around tunnels.

“Land Transport New Zealand is claiming our air quality in and around tunnels is fine but the research they have conducted is flawed because it has not taken into consideration fine particle pollutants that pose serious health risks,” said Dr Norman.

Scientific studies have found an association between fine particle pollution and significant health problems, including: aggravated asthma; chronic bronchitis; reduced lung function; irregular heartbeat; heart attack; and premature death in people with heart or lung disease.

It is international best practice to monitor fine particle pollutants. Both the United States and the World Health Organisation have introduced monitoring and health standards for fine particle pollutants. But New Zealand which prides itself on being clean and green has no regulations, standards or guidelines, said Dr Norman.

In Wellington, residents who live near Mount Victoria tunnel are outraged. Jessica Closson from the local residents association said she was “shocked to hear that LTNZ didn’t measure particulates less than 2.5 in size. It’s pretty meaningless to simply measure above that level – that covers things like road dust, tyre wear and brake linings only!”

For further information

Fact Sheet: Final Clean Air Fine Particle Implementation Rule For Implementation of 1997 PM2.5 Standards – www.epa.gov/air/particlepollution/fs20070329.html

World Health Organisation – Air quality guidelines – global update 2005- www.who.int/phe/health_topics/outdoorair_aqg/en/

Good Practice Guide for Assessing Discharges to Air from Industry, Ministry for the Environment – www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/air/assessing-discharges-air-industry-jun08/html/index.html

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The petition will ask the Government to halt any plans for mining New Zealand’s most highly-protected land and water.

“Kiwis who care about their natural treasures can tell the National Party that they don’t want mining in our most highly valued places,” Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said today.

The Government has announced plans to do a ‘stock take’ of the mineral deposits in public conservation areas currently protected from mining in Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act. Schedule 4 areas include wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, marine reserves, and wetlands of international importance.

The Government has also instructed Crown Minerals officials to look at what areas should be taken out of Schedule 4 in order to open them up for mining.

“Even the economics of mining don’t add up,” Mrs Turei said. “The financial value of protected land is in the perpetual fresh water, flood protection and other ecoservices that far outweigh the one-off and environmentally-damaging mineral revenues.

“Mining would also risk thousands of Kiwi jobs that rely on our tourism industry.”

The national parks, reserves and sanctuaries were also part of New Zealanders’ heritage, Mrs Turei noted: “Thousands of Kiwis have invested countless volunteer hours and dollars to protect these places. That heritage should be passed on to our kids not destroyed for short term profit.”

Meanwhile,the Government’s search for coal and lignite was also out of step with the world’s shift to renewable energy sources, Mrs Turei said.

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