PoliSCI

The government looks for most effective ways to reduce emissions

The government is looking to help businesses save up to £1 billion a year on energy bills by 2030. As businesses account for a quarter of UK greenhouse gas emissions, improving the energy efficiency of commercial buildings will reduce industrial emissions by approximately two million tonnes between 2028 and 2032.

In June the UK government became the first major economy to announce they will be cutting emissions from industry to nearly zero to tackle climate change. Eight industrial sectors (cement, ceramics, chemicals, food and drink, glass, iron and steel, oil refining, and pulp and paper) currently emit around two thirds of carbon emissions.

Business, Energy and Clean Growth Minister Kwasi Kwarteng said, ‘we’re bolstering our investment in clean growth’

‘Ensuring energy intensive businesses are equipped with the latest low-emission technologies will not only helps our transition to net-zero, but will also ensure these companies are more agile and competitive going forward -- creating new skilled, well-paid jobs.’

New energy projects

The European Commission has announced new Projects of Common Interest (PCI) for a connected European energy grid. The Energy Union is a major driver for delivering clean, affordable and sustainable energy in Europe. Through the Projects of Common Interest, their goal is to build well-connected networks across Europe to enhance security of supply.

Miguel Arias Cañete, Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, said: ‘Europe's energy transition is well underway, with record levels of clean and renewable energy and rapidly falling costs. But Europe's energy infrastructure must advance in the same direction and with the same speed to fully support this transition. That is why we are focusing the new list of projects on key electricity interconnections and smart grids.’

Space Data Challenge supports the clean-up of UK nuclear sites

The Nuclear Decommissioning Space Data Challenge encourages smaller businesses and research institutions to develop satellite-enabled technologies to support the UK’s goal to clean up nuclear sites.

The Space Data Challenge, which aims to use space technologies to improve efficiency in the public sector, is searching for new ideas to support:

• Rooftop inspections
• Building site plan updates
• Bulk container identification
• On-site traffic management

Emily Gravestock, Head of Applications Strategy at the UK Space Agency said:

‘The Space for Smarter Government Programme is a fantastic opportunity for public sector organisations to access satellite imagery to explore the art of the possible with their colleagues.’

‘This partnership with the NDA (Nuclear Decommissioning Authority) is a great example of how this data can be used in a novel way, with the potential to support one of the most important environmental restoration projects in the world.’