Climate change

All Standard Notes
41 Documents
DateDescription
01.07.2013Zero Carbon Homes
This note covers the proposal for zero carbon homes from 2016.
21.06.2013Smart meters
Between now and 2020 more than 50 million new 'smart meters' will be rolled out to 30 million homes and smaller businesses in Britain. These are intended to allow consumers to see and adjust in real time what energy they are using. The Public Accounts Committee considers the challenges associated with roll-out 'huge'.
11.06.2013The weather: Social Indicators page
What was the weather like over the past 12 months?
10.06.2013Greenhouse gas emissions: Social Indicators page
Trends in emissions and assessment of progress on targets
30.05.2013Energy Bill 2013 - update for Report stage
The current Energy Bill now has its Report Stage scheduled, for 3 June 2013. This note provides an update to some of the more controversial areas, and to previous Library research briefings on the Bill.
16.05.2013Nuclear power
Nuclear power appears set to retain an important role in electricity generation and reducing carbon emissions. Issues include the continued safe operation of Britain's stations, the disposal of radioactive waste and proliferation concerns.
03.05.2013Carbon capture and storage
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) generation is not yet proven on a large scale, and nor is storage long-term, despite a series of UK Government and EU initiatives aimed at incentivising its development. In March 2013 Peterhead (Aberdeenshire) and the White Rose Project (Yorkshire) were named as the two preferred bidders in the latest UK CCS Commercialisation Programme Competition.
15.03.2013The Green Deal
The Green Deal, the Government's 'flagship piece of legislation, which will deliver energy efficiency to homes and buildings across the land' went fully live on 28 January 2013.
08.02.2013Carbon Price Floor
This note summarises the Governmnent plans to introduce a carbon price floor by April 2013
03.01.2013Green Investment Bank
The Government has announced the creation of a Green Investment Bank to stimulate investment in green technologie. This note includes details of its role and its location.
14.11.2012British Summer Time and the Daylight Saving Bill 2010-11
This Standard Note provides an overview of the pros and cons of British Summer Time and the altering of clocks, as well as details of attempts to change clock times in the UK. It discusses the current Daylight Savings Bill 2010-11.
20.09.2012Deepwater and Arctic oil drilling
This note outlines several examples of how previously inaccessible sources of hydrocarbons are now starting to be exploited, the regulatory regimes that surround this and the increasing controversy over drilling in the Arctic.
09.08.2012Feed-in Tariffs
Feed-in Tariffs are available as an incentive for small-scale renewables. Generators are paid a tariff for the lifetime of the scheme.
09.08.2012The Renewables Obligation
An overview of the Renewables Obligation which provides financial support for large scale renewable electricity.
18.07.2012Antarctica: the treaty system and territorial claims
The unique treaty system that protects the Antarctic is constantly updated and sometimes challenged. A current Private Member's Bill would implement recent changes in the UK.
23.05.2012EU ETS and Aviation
The aviation sector has been included in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme from 1 January 2012 as part of EU efforts to reduce emissions by 20% by 2020.
23.05.2012The draft Energy Bill 2012
The 2012 Queen's Speech announced that "My Government will propose reform of the electricity market to deliver secure, clean and affordable electricity and ensure prices are fair'. This will be done through the latest in a line of Energy Bills, published in draft for pre-legislative scrutiny on 22 May 2012.
21.05.2012Energy Efficiency Schemes
Government measures to encourage improvements in energy efficiency are in the process of transition. The green deal is due to replace CERT, CESP and 'Warm Front', and the CRC energy efficiency scheme is under a major review.
21.05.2012The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme
The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme is a mandatory carbon emissions reporting and trading scheme for large public and private sector organisations. It is currently under review and if it cannot be simplified to produce 'very significant administrative savings' for businesses, then it will be replaced by 'an alternative environmental tax' on which the Government will consult in Autumn 2012.
18.05.2012Agriculture and Climate Change
This note covers some predictions of the effect of climate change on UK agriculture and forestry
15.05.2012Renewable Heat Incentive
Details of the scheme introduced to support renewable heat generation
17.04.2012The 'conservatory tax'
Changes to the building regulations are currently being consulted upon. These have led to press reports of a 'conservatory tax' of up to 10% on certain home improvements, through required associated energy efficiency measures. Reports have also said that people will be forced to take out green deal loans if they cannot afford to fund these improvements.
05.04.2012Feed-in Tariffs: Solar PV Review
This note summarises details of Solar PV feed-in tariffs, including the various reviews of tariffs for solar, the latest consultation published in February 2012, and the Government's defeat in the courts.
05.01.2012Durban Climate Conference
This note covers run up and outcome of the UN climate change conference that took place in Durban between 28 November and 11 December 2011.
25.11.2011Tar sands
Tar sands (oil sands) have potential to provide a significant fraction of future global oil demand but there are concerns, acknowledged in an EC Fuel Quality Directive, about their environmental impact, not least on greenhouse gas emissions.
25.11.2011Carbon Capture and Storage: additional background
This note (March 2011) examines the policy and issues relating to carbon capture and storage and in particular, how it relates to coal-fired energy generation.
24.10.2011UK Fourth Carbon Budget
The Government has a deadline of 30 June 2011 to set the UK's fourth carbon budget covering 2023-2027.
19.10.2011Biofuels
This note introduces issues surrounding biofuel policy in the UK and EU.
13.07.2011Energy from waste and incineration
This note looks at the role of energy from waste and incineration.
13.06.2011Air transport statistics
Air Transport Statistics by Tom Rutherford (SN/SG/3760). This note looks in detail at trends in air travel in the UK and the latest official projections, passenger fatality rates; fares, air freight, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. It includes some key facts on aviation's contribution to the economy and employment. Some international comparisons of air transport are also given.
13.04.2011How UK farmers could reduce greenhouse gas emissions
This note considers ways that farmers might reduce their consisderable emissions of greenhouse gases, mainly methane
03.03.2011Illegally Logged Timber: EU and UK legislation
This note covers the EU ban on the import of illegal timber and proposals for UK legislation.
12.01.2011Cancun Climate Conference
This note covers the climate negotiations which have taken place since the Copenhagen Conference (COP 15) in December 2009, in the lead up to the next meeting in Cancun in November 2010.
29.07.2010Coalition proposals for an Energy Security and Green Economy Bill
This note sets out the measures in the Bill alongside what was said about these areas in the Conservative and Liberal Democrat election manifestos, the formal coalition Government agreement and the March 2010 Conservative green paper Rebuilding Security: Conservative energy policy for an uncertain world. It also highlights comment on the proposals.
23.06.2010The phasing out of incandescent light bulbs
This note sets out in more detail the phasing out of traditional incandescent light bulbs and the claims that low energy light bulbs are damaging to human health and to the environment.
29.01.2010Bangladesh: A country profile
This note provides an overview of Bangladesh's current political and economic situation, as well as exploring some of the climate change issues that face the country.
05.01.2010Sources of social statistics: Environment and Energy
Brief guide to online resources on these subjects
20.11.2009Climate change levy
The climate change levy was introduced in April 2001, charged on electricity, gas, liquefied petroleum gas and solid fuels, when supplied to business. This note gives a short history of the levy, and the impact it has had in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
05.08.2009Biochar and climate change
This note briefly introduces biochar as a measure to tackle climate change.
25.06.2009Greenhouse gas emission statistics
Updated to included final 2007 and provisional 2008 data, carbon budgets and the lastest projections
26.11.2008The Renewable Energy Strategy
The UK has a provisional EU target for 15% of energy to come from renewable sources by 2020. This note details the Government's proposals to meet this target.
All Research Papers
10 Documents
DateDescription
11.01.2012Daylight Saving Bill: Committee Stage Report
This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Daylight Saving Bill.
06.09.2011Energy Bill [HL]: Committee Stage Report
This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Energy Bill. It complements Library Research Paper 11/36 (Energy Bill) prepared for the Commons Second Reading.
02.12.2009Climate Change: The Copenhagen Conference
22.10.2008Climate Change Bill [HL]: Committee Stage Report
Climate Change Bill. (Bill 129 of 2007/08) House of Commons Library Research Paper 08/79.
06.06.2008Climate Change Bill [HL]
(Bill 97 of 2007-08)
24.01.2008Aviation and Climate Change
Aviation and Climate Change. House of Commons Library Research Paper 08/08
10.10.2007Social Indicators
Social Indicators. [Includes articles on Independence for Official Statistics, Greenhouse Gases, and Clostridium Difficile, and a Topical Subject Page on Teenage Pregnancy] House of Commons Library Research Paper 07/70.
10.01.2007Social Indicators
Social indicators. [Includes articles on Research and Development in the UK and Prison Population. Also includes topical subject page on The Weather] House of Commons Library Research Paper 07/02.
07.12.2006Greater London Authority Bill Parts 7 and 8 - Planning and Environmental Functions (Bill 11 of 2006-07)
The Greater London Authority Bill Parts 7 and 8-Planning and Environmental Functions (Bill 11 2006-07). House of Commons Library Research Paper 06/61
16.09.2003Social indicators
Social indicators. (Includes article on Changes in police crime recording practices and topical subject pages on climate change and football disorder). House of Commons Library Research Paper 03/71.
All Select Committee Reports
25 Select Committee Reports
DateDescription
14.09.2011The impact of UK overseas aid on environmental protection and climate change adaptation and mitigation....
Government response. Environmental Audit Select Committee; Department for International Development report [Commons]
13.07.2011Committee on Climate Change report and accounts for 2010-11.
Committee on Climate Change report [Commons]
22.06.2011The impact of UK overseas aid on environmental protection and climate change adaptation and mitigation....
Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
27.04.2011Reviews into the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit's e-mails.
Government response. Science and Technology Select Committee report [Commons]
15.02.2011Emissions performance standards.
Government response. Energy and Climate Change Select Committee; Department of Energy and Climate Change report [Commons]
17.01.2011The reviews into the Climatic Research Unit's emails at the University of East Anglia.
Science and Technology Select Committee report [Commons]
24.11.2010Emissions performance standards.
Energy and Climate Change Select Committee report [Commons]
28.09.2010The disclosure of climate data from the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia.
Government response. Department of Energy and Climate Change report [Commons]
04.08.2010Adapting to Climate Change.
Government response. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs report [Commons]
24.03.2010The disclosure of climate data from the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia.
Science and Technology Select Committee report [Commons]
16.03.2010Adapting to Climate Change.
Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
16.03.2010Carbon budgets.
Government response. Environmental Audit Select Committee; Department of Energy and Climate Change report [Commons]
26.01.2010Role of carbon markets in preventing dangerous climate change.
Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
05.01.2010Carbon budgets.
Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
27.10.2009Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation: No hope without forests.
Government response. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
20.10.2009Reducing CO2 and other emissions from shipping.
Government response. Department for Transport; Department of Energy and Climate Change; Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
20.10.2009Greening government.
Government response. Office of Government Commerce; Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
13.10.2009Sustainable development in a changing climate.
Government response. Department for International Development; International Development Select Committee report [Commons]
14.07.2009Greening government.
Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
16.06.2009Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation: No hope without forests.
Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
02.06.2009Pre-Budget Report 2008: green fiscal policy in a recession.
Government response. Treasury; Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
20.05.2009Sustainable development in a changing climate.
International Development Select Committee report [Commons]
12.05.2009Reducing CO2 and other emissions from shipping.
Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
10.03.2009Pre-Budget Report 2008: green fiscal policy in a recession.
Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]
03.03.2009The Export Credits Guarantee Department and sustainable development.
Government response. Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform; Environmental Audit Select Committee report [Commons]