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.

Net Zero: Understanding The Trend That Will Shape The Century

Our Senior Associate Fellow, Ben Caldecott, has been quoted in an article on BusinessGreen about the recent drive for net zero emissions. Ben argued that the UK should take on a leadership role for net zero internationally.

Here's an excerpt: 

The UK was a leader in adopting the Climate Change Act 10 years ago and we have made amazing progress cutting emissions, but we do need to look at net zero and how to get there. There is an opportunity for the UK, and a responsibility for the UK as the originator of the industrial revolution, to move early on this. It is important we have countries that show this is possible. That is important for the global transition.

The article also cited Bright Blue's polling, contained in our policy report, Hotting up. It reiterated our finding that 64% of UK adults agree the country should aim to cut its carbon emissions to zero in the next few decades, including 58 per cent of Conservative Party voters.

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.