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The mayor announced at the London Congress that the ten chosen boroughs – which include Lewisham, Westminster and Islington – will each receive a minimum of £200,000 to put towards improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in the area.

And the aim of the project is to reduce carbon emissions by 20.12 per cent by 2012, while also creating more green jobs.

Both domestic and commercial properties will be the focus of the funds.

Commenting on the news, Sally Prentice, cabinet member for environment on Lambeth Council, said: "Cutting people’s fuel consumption by making their homes more energy efficient saves them money, which is vital for families on low incomes."

The Energy Saving Trust offers homeowners a number of tips on how they can reduce their utility bills through improved energy efficiency – including by investing in a condensing boiler.”

Source: BHL, September 2009

In an update about its Strategy for Sustainable Construction, the Department for Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform stated that the country is on target to reduce emissions by 34 per cent under the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan.

Construction minister Ian Lucas, said: "I am pleased to see we are making steps towards reaching these targets, but there is further work to be done to build on these achievements and reach the overarching goals of the strategy."

Ian Pearson, economic secretary to the Treasury, added that the challenge will now be ensuring that the Climate Change Act targets for 2020 and 2050 are met.

Recently, the UK Green Building Council revealed that it is to start a new Sustainability Training and Education programme.

Speaking to BD Live, Paul King, chief executive of the body, claimed that the scheme was designed to address an "unmet need" in the sector.”

Source: ECA, September 2009

Brian Berry, director of external affairs at the Federation of Master Builders, explained that there will be increased demand for green construction services in the near future.

This means that those who have the expertise to meet the need for such work should be well placed going forwards, he stated.

Mr Berry said: "Construction [firms] are looking ahead and looking to the future, thinking of ways in terms of their skill sets and the technology they are using. They will be one step ahead as we come out of the recession."

However, the government could do more to boost demand for low-carbon projects by launching projects like a national retro-fitting scheme, Mr Berry added.

Last week, the government launched a review of the construction industry and its ability to meet the demands that will be placed on it by a low-carbon economy.”

Source: ECA, September 2009

Wales Online reports that the Heads of the Valleys regeneration scheme will see the latest renewable energy technologies being integrated into the area, while energy efficiency will also be encouraged among businesses and households.

Furthermore, over the course of the coming 15 years, the campaign will assess some 65,000 homes for how energy efficient they are, while 40,000 properties will receive help in improving their efficiency.

Deputy minister for regeneration Leighton Andrews said: "The investment in Aberdare will help spearhead the development of the region as a low carbon zone where energy efficiency measures will be introduced on a scale that has not been undertaken in the UK to date."

Meanwhile, mayor of London Boris Johnson recently revealed that ten boroughs in the capital were set to become home to new Low Carbon Zones, thanks to a minimum of £200,000 funding each.”

Source: BHL, September 2009

Juliet Davenport, founder and chief executive officer of Good Energy, believes that adopting small-scale generation projects could help the UK solve many of the problems facing it.

She said: "Generating your own power not only helps reduce overall carbon emissions but can help insulate us all from fuel price fluctuations and provide an alternative income in the future."

Patrick Holden, director of the Soil Association, added that microgeneration should be of particular interest to farmers as the country looks to build a more sustainable model of agriculture.

Good Energy is the only British power firm which supplies end users with electricity from 100 per cent renewable sources.

Recently, British Eco Energy claimed that people need to be educated about the potential benefits of microgeneration.

According to the organisation, this will help the government meet its climate targets.”

Source: ECA, September 2009

Adam Vaughn, author of e-books Smartplanet and the Greenguy, noted that the amount of information available about renewable energy projects in the public domain can be confusing. "One of the key things that people want to know when it comes to saving energy in the home is what the priorities are," Mr Vaughn claimed.  

He recommended that homeowners carry out easy tasks, including installing energy-saving lightbulbs and altering heating control settings, before tackling larger projects such as fitting solar water heating and new boilers.

According to research by Worcester Bosch Group, 66 per cent of respondents believe that the home is the best place to become more environmentally friendly, with 18 per cent installing a high-efficiency condensing boiler. The Energy Saving Trust claims a modern condensing boiler can reduce a home’s carbon emissions by up to 875 kilograms a year and save the user £110.”  

Source: Heat & Plumb, May 2009

John Barwise, chairman of the Cumbria Green Business Forum, said: "We desperately need to rebuild the UK’s power industry and to invest now in training and skills [...] to ensure a sustainable power resource in the UK for future generations."

He added that recent comments made by chief executive of the Energy & Utility Skills council Tim Balcon were welcome.

Mr Balcon earlier urged that new low carbon technologies and strategies could mean a 700 per cent increase in trainees within the next 15 years. Furthermore, the renewal of power stations over the next 15 years will also have a significant need impact for a specialist workforce.

While the UK turns its attentions to renewable energy, there are also investments homeowners can make.

People may wish to have installed solar panels or an air or ground source heat pump fitted at their property if they wish to minimise their impact on the environment, while also lowering their energy bills.”

Source: BHL, September 2009