Response to BEIS Select Committee's inquiry into carbon capture, usage and storage

Bright Blue’s written evidence submission to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee’s inquiry into carbon capture, usage and storage has been published online.

In the response, we highlight the research included in our report Hotting up, which recommends the deployment of a carbon capture and storage ‘demonstration project’ in an industrial cluster in the UK, such as Teesside, where there are economies of scale from the sharing of infrastructure to transport the captured carbon dioxide and to store it

Read out full response here.

Wilf Lytton: Approaching zero hour: Time for the UK to go carbon-neutral

Our Senior Researcher, Wilf Lytton, has written for BusinessGreen about the case for Britain to act now, with further, ambitious targets for climate action. In his article, Wilf states that previous climate change legislation, such as the Climate Change Act 2008, actually provided an impetus to the economy - creating new jobs, and saving consumers money.

Here’s an excerpt:

Ten years on, this law has proven to be hugely successful not only in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, but also in generating jobs and clean growth across the country which otherwise could not have occurred. The UK is now, for example, a global leader in wind turbine development, and manufactures and supplies Europe with the world's best-selling electric vehicle.

Read the full article here.

Over 130 MPs call on Prime Minister to adopt net zero emission goal

Our Senior Researcher, Wilf Lytton, has been quoted in an article on BusinessGreen.

Specifically, Wilf was referenced the polling results included in our recent report, Hotting up, which showed the high levels of public support for further climate action from the Government.

Read the full article here.

Burned up: wood-fueled electricity could be more damaging than coal

Our report, Hotting up, was referenced in an article by Sasha Stashwick on the Ecologist. In her article, which challenges the true sustainability of biomass burning for electricity generation, she alludes to our recommendation that more stringent carbon accounting rules are vital in order to prevent an expansion in the use of bioenergy that does not genuinely assist with eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. 

Read the full article here.

Britain once led the world in fighting climate change. We should reclaim that mantle

Our Head of Research, Sam Hall, has written for Telegraph Refresh about our latest report, Hotting up. In his article, Sam states that the UK should establish a leading and international net-zero alliance to reclaim its status as a global champion on climate change mitigation. 

Here's an excerpt:

To drive deeper decarbonisation, the Government should, therefore, enshrine in law a new net-zero greenhouse gas emission target. The Government should ask the CCC to advise on an appropriate date for achieving net-zero greenhouse emissions, so that the UK can make an equitable contribution to meeting the Paris Agreement’ 1.5°C goal.

Read the full article here.

How to build a clean, green economy

Our Researcher, Philip Box, has written for CapX about our latest report, Hotting up. 

Philip makes the case for deeper decarbonisation of Britain, and sets out how it could be achieved in the agricultural, energy, and transport sectors. He also cites Bright Blue's polling, which shows, amongst other things, that 64% of UK adults think Britain should cut its carbon emissions to zero in the coming decades, and that 63% agreed that the UK should be a global leader in tackling climate change.

Here's an excerpt: 

The UK should enshrine in law a new net zero emissions target in line with the Paris Agreement. This target would provide clarity to businesses and the public on the UK’s long-term ambition for decarbonisation and would strengthen the low-carbon economy, which is already experiencing above average growth.

Read the full article here.

Hotting up: Government urged to lead G7 in embracing net zero target

Our latest report, Hotting up, has been covered in an article on BusinessGreen. Our Head of Research, Sam Hall, was quoted saying that the "Conservative government has another opportunity to lead by making the UK the first G7 country to enshrine in law a net zero emissions target". 

Conservative MP, Simon Clarke, was also quoted saying that "the scientific, technological and legal case for the UK to establish a net zero target is so strong ... Bright Blue are right: the time to put net zero into law has come".

Read the full article here. 

How the UK could lead the Commonwealth on climate change

Our Head of Research, Sam Hall, has written for ConservativeHome on how the UK could lead the Commonwealth on climate change. In his article, Sam praised the Government for positioning itself towards adopting a net zero target for carbon emissions. 

Citing Bright Blue polling, Sam also referenced the fact that when asked how quickly the UK should cut its emissions relative to other countries, a large majority of UK adults (90%) believe the UK should cut its emissions at least as quickly as other countries.

Read the full article here.

UK on path to ‘zero carbon’ economy

Our Head of Research, Sam Hall, was quoted in an article in the Telegraph on British voters' attitudes towards a net zero carbon emissions target. He said "demonstrating international leadership on climate change" would be a politically expedient move for the Conservative Party in its desire to attract younger voters, without compromising votes from existing supporters. 

Read the full article here.

UK emissions are falling fast. Now the country might try for zero

Bright Blue's polling on British attitudes towards a cutting carbon emissions to net zero within the next few decades was featured on Vox. 

In our polling, we found that most people support the UK demonstrating international leadership on tackling climate and see economic benefits from doing so. The polling also revealed that there was significant support for cutting the UK's carbon emissions to zero, as the Minister of State for Clean Growth and Energy, the Rt Hon Claire Perry MP, hinted at this week. 

Read the full article here.

Claire Perry to instruct Committee on Climate Change to scope net zero goal

Our Head of Research, Sam Hall, has been quoted in an article on BusinessGreen in response to the announcement made by the Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, the Rt Hon Claire Perry MP, that the United Kingdom should explore tighter carbon controls and a goal of having net zero carbon emissions. Our polling, which showed that 64% of UK adults agree the UK should aim to cut its emissions to zero over the next few decades was also cited.

Sam said that by "adopting a net zero target, the government is therefore seizing a great opportunity to appeal to key younger voters without trading off existing voters". 

Read the full article here.

UK Government Details Plan to Phase Out Coal by 2025

Bright Blue's senior research fellow, Sam Hall, was quoted in a Desmog UK article about the UK phase out of coal power fired stations. Sam spoke of how:

Closing coal is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to cut carbon dioxide emissions. It also brings benefits for air quality and for industrial strategy by encouraging cleaner forms of electricity generation.

Read the full article here.

Reaction: Dieter Helm's 'least cost' ideas for meeting the UK's climate targets

Bright Blue's senior research fellow Sam Hall has been referenced in Carbon Brief, presenting his thoughts on the economy-wide carbon price, called for by Dieter Helm in the recently published Cost of Energy Review.  

Here's an excerpt:

Sam Hall ... argues an economy-wide carbon price is a volatile and uncertain price signal for investors, subject to short-term political and economic forces, that would struggle on its own to drive the required investment in the low carbon economy

Read the full article here.

Cost of Energy: What might the Helm review mean for UK clean growth?

Bright Blue's senior research fellow Sam Hall has been quoted in Business Green, giving his verdict on the recently published Cost of Energy Review from Dieter Helm.  

Here's an excerpt:

"An economy-wide carbon price would effectively internalise the social and environmental costs of carbon emissions, but is a volatile and uncertain price signal for investors, subject to short-term political and economic forces, that would struggle on its own to drive the required investment," said Hall.

Read the full article here.