David Blackman

Lord Turner urges government to borrow for energy efficiency drive

The government should take advantage of the likelihood of historically low borrowing costs over the next decade to invest in an ambitious energy efficiency programme, the former head of the Committee on Climate Change has urged.

Stark pushes for network upgrades to be in first wave of economic fightback

Upgrading the electricity network could be an early win in a wider package to stimulate the economy as the current lockdown eases, the Committee on Climate Change chief executive has insisted.

UK sets out red lines for energy agreement with EU

The government has told the European Union that it wants Ofgem to retain observer status on the pan-European umbrella bodies for energy regulators. The demand is included in the UK’s draft energy agreement, published as part of the government’s proposals for a free trade agreement with the EU.

Council awarded funding to extract heat from abandoned coal mine

NIC calls for ‘strong pipeline’ of CfD auctions

Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, has urged the Chancellor to provide greater clarity on the dates and scale of Contracts for Difference auctions as the first step in the government’s long-term post-pandemic recovery package.

Political Agenda: Net zero message falls flat with public

Utility Week policy correspondent David Blackman gives his latest insight into what’s happening in the (virtual) corridors of power. This week, he discusses recent research showing the majority of the public have never heard of the term ‘net zero’.

Blueprint for rapid EV charging network unveiled

The government has set a target that every motorway service area in England will have six high-powered electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints by 2023. A new policy paper released by the Department for Transport sets a goal of 2,500 rapid chargepoints across England’s motorways and major A roads by 2030 and 6,000 by 2035.

Boris to chair committee setting sixth carbon budget

The prime minister will help to shape the next phase of the UK’s emission reduction plan, a BEIS civil servant has revealed.

UK leans towards carbon tax after virus prompts ETS fluctuations

The government is taking a fresh look at the introduction of a carbon tax as its key mechanism for pricing emissions when the UK leaves the EU’s emission trading system later this year, an expert has claimed.

Carney backs ETS over carbon taxes

Former Bank of England governor and now UK climate finance envoy Mark Carney has backed an emissions trading system as the best option for pricing carbon pricing, while warning that it is impossible for countries to “self-isolate” against climate change.