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Investigating the current and future dynamics of energy consumption in modern economies such as the UK is crucial. This paper predicts the UK's energy consumption using data spanning January 1995 to March 2022 by comparing and evaluating the forecast performance of machine learning, dynamic regression, time series and combination modelling techniques. The analysis reveals that the seasonal ARIMA and TBATS hybrid models yield the lowest forecast errors in predicting the UK's electricity and gas consumption. Although the combination forecasts performed poorly relative to other models, machine learning techniques such as neural network and support vector regression produced better results compared to the dynamic regression models, whereas the seasonal hybrid model performed better than the machine learning and time series models. The results indicate that the UK's electricity consumption would either stabilise or decline over the forecast horizon, suggesting that it will take some years for electricity consumption to attain pre-2019 levels. For gas consumption, the results indicate that consumption would either maintain current levels or increase over the forecast period. We also show that combination forecasts do not often generate the best predictions, and therefore, choice of methodology matters in energy consumption forecasting. Overall, changing seasonal patterns, energy efficiency improvements, shift to renewable sources and uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit, and the Russia–Ukraine crisis appear to be significant drivers of energy consumption in the UK in recent times. These findings are expected to help in designing more effective energy policies as well as guide investor decisions in the energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy demand associated with energy consumption (commonly fossil fuels) has increased in line with the rise in world population and this has led to a number of complications. The best known and most prominent issue induced by fossil fuel utilization is unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions released as a result of the combustion of fuels. Emitted greenhouse gases from various sources, such as industrial plants, power plants, transportation services, residential utilization and so on, are largely responsible for global warming and climate change. According to latest reports, the share of the transportation sector in total energy-related CO2 emissions is approximately 23%. As a result of a detailed investigation and dissemination of transportation-induced emissions, air transportation is found to be responsible for approximately 3–4% of total energy-related CO2 emissions. The current study introduces a different perspective in the evaluation of aircraft greenhouse gas emissions. In this manner, a thermodynamic evaluation on the basis of the first and second laws of thermodynamics and a cost evaluation of greenhouse gases emitted from domestic flights in the UK are presented in the current paper, in addition to an environmental impact assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the conclusion of the Stern Review that the cost of climate change could be as much as 20% of the global GDP. In this paper, I identify two major sources of variation in the estimates of the aggregate cost of climate change. One is the disagreement among the AOGCM models on the magnitude of climate change, and the other is the divergence among the economic models on how harmful these changes will be to the economy. The main conclusion of this paper is that only under the alarmist approach—which assumes both the most severe climate change and the most extreme estimate of climate change damage to the economy—we can be convinced that the cost of climate change is close to 20% of the global GDP in 2100. In most other cases, the cost will be under 1% of the global GDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike developing countries, advanced economies combine top-down and bottom-up approach for strategic planning and consider energy policy in the wider scope of spatial planning. In order to better align planning policies in different sectors, the authorities have transferred decision making from the central government to the local communities. This paper provides a brief overview of the London's strategic spatial and energy policies, examining how they fit within more general visions and objectives. Past and future approaches to the spatial and energy planning were also analysed, with respect to the legal documents that supported actions of different government levels. This paper presents decentralised energy planning and supply in London, highlighting the significance of experience and lessons learned in the development of decentralised energy options for developing countries, willing to engage their resources to contribute to a low carbon economy in accordance with their financial and other possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the accommodation of renewable energy and privatisation of electric supply industry in Europe. It states that the energy accommodation would incur big costs, while the industry privatization would allow the industry to become competitive, diverse, and would prompt low electricity prices. The article also discusses consequences of the privatization, electric generation technologies, and electric supply network in Great Britain.

The amount of energy used to light homes in the UK continues to rise, despite the availability of compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and significant policy efforts to reduce energy demand for domestic lighting. This paper examines household lighting demand, in the UK, from a socio-technical perspective, drawing on recent in-depth interview data. This research indicates that mood lighting is becoming increasingly significant, that a desire to have stylish interiors can override environmental principles, and that household lighting practices are heavily influenced by the media. The paper concludes that lighting policy must place greater emphasis on engaging with those involved in the design and promotion of household lighting, if we are to significantly reduce energy demand in this sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) set up in 2003 was tasked to oversee a review of options for managing UK radioactive waste and to engage the public in choosing a long-term solution with the objective of inspiring public confidence. This paper reviews the Committee's processes against their remit and guidance on public engagement. It shows that CoRWM assumed proof of-concept for geological disposal, despite the contrary verdict of the Sellafield inquiry, and biased the framing of options against 'interim storage plus ongoing R&D' (Netherlands option). CoRWM also failed to propose technical criteria comparable to those used internationally, and to resolve the deep disagreement on timescale between key stakeholders. The paper points out vested interests operated via CoRWM's programme manager (AMEC-NNC) and sees the checking role of Defra's chief scientist as also undermining the proclaimed independence of the Committee. CoRWM did recognise their need to range much wider than scientific and technical issues, introducing concepts of institutional breakdown, volunteerism, and socio-cultural timescales. However, these concepts were not subjected to stakeholder consultation and public judgement. The audit of public and stakeholder engagement omitted questions of procedural norms, imbalance of power, and lack of consultation on novel judgements. Two late 'show stoppers' were ignored in a desire to complete the task, resulting in a fudged compromise papering over deep divisions between members. Their final choice of 'Phased Deep Geological Disposal' expressed qualified confidence in the concept, yet favoured keeping the repository open while continuing R&D into other options. The substantial scientific uncertainties associated with this choice, the problematic process by which this decision was reached, and the concerns associated with the modes of public engagement, mean that their 'solution' is more rhetorical than real. The technical problems and requirements for public confidence remain obscured and unresolved. The reasons for this problematic outcome are located in the current UK policy push for substantial new nuclear power plants and in a culture tolerant of vested interest in nuclear policy-making and civil service warping of the science process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a research paper which emphasises that sustainable development means reconciling an aspiration, human wellbeing. The study argues that Great Britain government's approach to this is preventing further increases in unsustainable resource use. The study also argues that sustainability understood as eco-efficiency is impossible. The paper concentrates on domestic energy use. It is suggested that to make any changes, one has to accept the changes politically. The article states that the social and psychological meaning of energy consumption should be understood. Getting more quality of life with less energy services is a way to improve the overall ratio of quality of life to environmental damage, according to the article.

This paper compares two flagship policies in the area of energy efficient building refurbishment, the German CO2-Building Rehabilitation Programme and the Green Deal in the UK. Although both policies are essentially loan programmes to finance energy efficiency measures, the nature of the two policies is very different regarding scope, financial architecture, integration with other policies, and carbon reductions. The paper draws out the main differences of the programmes as well as similarities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambitiously, the UK aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. Since the use of housing accounts for about 27 per cent of UK CO2, and most new-build adds to the number of homes rather than substituting for them, housing's biggest contribution to better energy use and lower carbon emissions in the UK will come from retrofitting the country's existing stock. Moreover retrofitting particularly matters to registered providers of social housing, who seek guidance about the energy efficiency of their properties. This paper argues that an exclusive focus on just one of the technical, economic or social aspects of retrofit is inadequate. Using both theory and case-based experience, it discusses a number of ways, both technical and qualitative, of best measuring what retrofitting can do. It concludes that an integrated, comprehensive understanding of the retrofit process is essential to the making of informed decisions on the energy efficiency of homes, particularly at the scales required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alarmed by what Lord Stern famously described as "the biggest market failure in history", the European Commission has been prolific in producing policies to force the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, in particular carbon. The EU "20-20-20" Directive demands that by 2020, 20 per cent of energy comes from renewable sources, emissions are 20 per cent lower (compared with 1990 levels) and energy efficiency reduces demand by 20 per cent. The UK's individual target is 15 per cent renewable energy, which means that the fraction of electricity supplied by renewables must more than triple to 35 per cent. Since the general election in 2010 the Coalition has continued with plans to decarbonise the economy, beginning with the largest carbon emitter, energy generation. This paper argues that the Coalition's emphasis on rewarding increases in capacity without a corresponding improvement in performance and a reduction in costs is at the expense of technological innovation, R&D and a skilled workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) in the United Kingdom has recently initiated a project to replace all of its halogen lamps in traffic lights with low energy Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamp heads across the County. In order to assess energy savings and carbon reductions from the initiative before implementation, baseline energy monitoring was carried out at 45 sample sites using a power analyzer equipped with a data logger. A regression model to predict annual energy consumption was developed with the numbers of each type of lamp head for each junction as independent variables. The model parameters were then used to estimate baseline emissions for a single trial site where LEDs have been installed and for which energy monitoring was carried out. The estimated baseline energy consumption for this site and the monitored energy consumption after the LEDs have been installed were used to estimate the actual energy savings that can be expected from GCC's initiative. Annual energy savings from this analysis were estimated to range from 64.2 to 74.1 percent (95% Confidence Intervals). The cost savings resulting from the LED initiative were found to payback the investment over a period of about six years. This paper presents a low cost approach and method by which the energy and cost savings of a large scale replacement initiative can be estimated with a single pilot replacement installation of a traffic signal. Such an exercise would be useful for local governments to carry out before making large investment decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pressure to prove that anthropogenic global warming is real, and happening now has become so strong, that in spite of major and irresolvable uncertainties in climate models, there is a daily renewal and re-inforcement of the idea of scientific certainty in the mainstream media. Whilst uncertainties are often acknowledged in the body of scientific reports, they are rarely seen in press releases and executive summaries. This paper examines how an almost mass acceptance of imminent and potentially catastrophic global warming by politicians, the media and the public, has come about and highlights the role of various UK agencies such as the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and the Met Office in producing this result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK was the first country to implement emissions trading as a policy instrument to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the whole of the economy. The paper therefore commences with a description of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and then continues with a discussion of incentives for UK companies to engage in emissions trading. It then outlines a case for research of companies' experiences of "direct participation" in the Scheme, and presents results obtained from case studies of a set of companies which are "direct participants". These illustrate the impact of emissions trading on income generation as well as cost savings. The paper then concludes with the observation that emissions trading will take on increased importance with the introduction of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol in 2005, and that further research is therefore required into energy and carbon costs and their possible influences on facilities location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pilot study described in this paper has investigated how UK Climate Change Agreements have affected the operations of British small and medium sized enterprises, using semi-structured interviews in a sample of companies. Results from the interviews show that the decision to sign a Climate Change Agreement was primarily economic, driven by the financial incentive of recouping up to 80 per cent of the Climate Change Levy. The procedures introduced to meet the Agreement's targets also assisted in coping with subsequent rising energy prices. Further discussions also revealed that trade associations played a positive role in providing information about opportunities provided by Climate Change Agreements and assistance in completion of the relevant documentation. The research also shows that the choice of relative, rather than absolute, targets has caused recent difficulties in view of lower production volumes during the economic downturn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the skepticism in climate. This paper features the report of Sir Nicholas Stern to the United Kingdom's Chancellor of the Exchequer and to the Prime Minister. The report is based on a lecture entitled "What is the Economics of Climate Change," which was part of a lecture series. It discusses the skeptisms about the climate change as pointed by Stern and his team. The scientific aspects are reviewed as well as the uncertainties. The debates are briefly featured in this paper.

A new policy approach is needed to deliver carbon dioxide savings in the UK; this paper proposes carbon rationing for personal energy use. Current policies are extremely unlikely to result in sufficient savings to meet the 2010 national reduction target. Indeed, when international air travel emissions are included, carbon equivalent emissions have not actually fallen since 1990. In the domestic sector, energy efficiency is expected to deliver significant carbon savings, but data from recent decades show this to be a triumph of hope over experience. Instead carbon rations for personal transport and household energy use are suggested. Rations would be equal, tradable, mandatory and would decrease year-on-year. The aim would be to make guaranteed carbon savings in an egalitarian way. Practical details of rationing are outlined and concerns about its effects are debated. Finally, it is concluded that rationing has great potential to enable the UK, and other countries, to meet their carbon saving targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the developments which took place after the 2007 workshop which aimed at defining a roadmap for the deployments of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology for carbon dioxide mitigation in Great Britain. It mentions that after the workshop, a CCS demonstration competition was announced and climatic change policies have been imposed to control carbon emissions. It informs that the first CCS project will be ready for commercial deployment by 2015.

Past research has documented high levels of public concern for risks relating to nuclear power, with opposition to nuclear energy particularly being linked with general environmental concern. However recent UK energy policy, and other debates worldwide, has led to a repositioning of nuclear power as a ‘low carbon’ electricity source with potential benefits for mitigating climate change. Whilst many previous studies have examined perceptions of climate change and nuclear energy separately, this large British public attitude survey explores relationships between the two as well as with perceptions of other energy sources. Both general environmental concern and concerns about climate change were linked with positive evaluations of renewables and negative evaluations of nuclear power. We conclude that, despite the policy positioning of nuclear power as a low carbon electricity source, most people concerned about climate change continue to perceive nuclear negatively, something partially explained by general environmental concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses issues and topics concerning global warming. Several nations around the world have taken measures to fight and counteract global warming. It was also proven that developed countries are the largest contributors of carbon dioxide emissions which are the primary cause of global warming including Great Britain, Australia, Brussels and Danish. It notes that Japan leads in energy efficiency. It was suggested that these great contributors of carbon emission should furnish 95 percent of the needed funds to counteract the global warming. Result of the research also shows that the main effect of carbon dioxide emission is not global warming but deadly acidification and micronutrient starvation of plant plankton in the sea, resulting to loss of all fish in 2048.

This study focuses upon the offshore sectors of the two important oil countries Norway and the United Kingdom (UK), and particularly whether and how policy instruments have provided incentives for the development, adoption and diffusion of environmentally benign technologies and hence reduction in emissions of the air pollutants NOx and VOCs. The assessment is that Norway is a bit more 'advanced' than the UK in terms of technological change in this issue area. In order to understand this difference, it is important to keep in mind that fundamental problem characteristics differ considerably between the two countries. For instance, in Norway, offshore emissions play an important role in the total emission picture. This is particularly the case for VOCs, where offshore emissions account for 60% of the total emissions. This is very different in the UK, where offshore NOx and VOC emissions only account for around 4-5%. The upshot of this is that the sheer governmental need to develop and apply effective technology in order to attain domestic and international emissions reduction goals is clearly much greater in Norway than in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including privatization of British electricity industry, link between biofuel use and food security in China, and geopolitical developments related to energy industry.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has accepted that output from the Hadley Center transient climate model is 'evidence' that man-made global warming is occurring. This paper explains thatthe model output only indicates that the Hadley Center climate modeldoes not emulate climate changes in the real world. The IPCC and theHadley Center have presented the GCM model's input data as being itsoutput. This proclamation is not true and contravenes the principle of science that hypothesis are tested against observed data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kyoto protocol was the first step taken by governments towards implementing the Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992). This seeks to prevent dangerous 'global' warming and its impacts; the assumption being that all or most of this warming is caused by human action and is therefore susceptible to mitigation. Only governments in developed countries have so far committed themselves to emission reduction targets and thus to potentially major interventions in their economies and societies. At Kyoto, in December 1997, developed countries negotiated national commitments. Their net reductions of six greenhouse gases measured from a 1990 baseline, are to be achieved between 2008 and 2012. However, Australia may increase its net greenhouse gas emissions by 8%, while the UK agreed to a cut by 12.5%, considerably above the EU average cut of 8%. Examples of 'common but differentiated'responsibility have major economic implications, especially for trade. The mandatory British reduction target - if the Kyoto Protocol comes into force - is considerably below a promised 20% reduction, a target to which the UK government remains committed. This paper asks whythe EU/UK and Australia adopted such different positions. It does soby analysing internal factors and forces that have shaped domestic policies. It is argued that while similar motivations produced different outcomes, the Australian government also received less biased and broader advice from its experts. The Australian case, as well as thatof the EU/UK, thus presents a most interesting contrast to Swedish climate policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on the published report of the British government, 'A Performance and Innovation Unit Report to Government' on energy demand, supply and costs. Expansion of renewables' share of electricity generation; Efforts to improve the efficiency of energy use in the domestic and transport sectors; Need for the government to set up a Sustainable Energy Policy Unit to assess key developments in energy use.

This paper examines energy conservation and energy efficiency policies and programs, mainly in the UK but also in Denmark and the Netherlands. It explores the theoretical and practical differences between conservation and energy efficiency and shows how, particularly in the household sector, energy demand continued to increase despite a rangeof policies to improve energy efficiency. Energy efficiency's ability to deliver energy and CO2 savings may be significantly counter-balanced in the short term by trends towards, greater use of appliances and increasing comfort standards. Over the medium and longer term energy efficiency should prove much more beneficial as saturation is reached for many energy services. However without action to raise energy prices (e.g. through taxation) the potentially beneficial effects of energy efficiency programs may be limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to follow the political resolution of uncertainty within the acid rain debate in relation to science-policy processesin the UK from 1970 to the present day. It is suggested that the emergence of an epistemic community of scientists, policy-makers, and NGOs cohering around the key concept of critical loads, has been a necessary condition for the evolution of ecomodernist air pollution control policies. Finally it is suggested that although the epistemic community has been influential in diffusing critical loads-based approaches to air pollution control within the major supranational environmental regimes in Europe (the UN ECE and European Community), structuralpolitical and economic factors still remain the most important drivers of final policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses insights from professor Colin Robinson regarding a December 2013 study conducted by the Great Britain Institute of Economic Affairs. Robinson noted that the energy sector in Great Britain has been effectively renationalized. Topics discussed include Great Britain's economy, coal industry in Great Britain, and privatisation of gas and electricity in Great Britain.

The article discusses a December 2013 study of Professor Colin Robinson published by the UK Institute of Economic Affairs. The study argues that the energy sector in Great Britain has been effectively renationalized. He states that the proof is that centralized energy planning is back, and it is the cause of skyrocketing fuel and energy prices, fuel poverty, and accelerating de-industrialisation as industrialists flee the high cost of energy.

Information about the meeting organized by the British branch of the World Energy Council (UKWEC) and the British Energy Institute in London, England on June 14, 2012 is presented. Topics include the condition in the British electricity market, the implementation of the Energy Bill, and the electricity market reform in the country (EMR). The meeting features several speakers including Charles Hendry, Steven Holliday of the National Grid, and Volker Beckers of the RWE Power.

The article offers information related to the petroleum and energy industries in Europe for 2012. It cites the tension between Shiites and Sunni Muslims in the Middles East as the major reason of upward movement in the petroleum cost. It adds that percentage change in energy cost for the period is expected to be at +2.4% in the fourth quarter. Moreover, it cites the need for Great Britain to streamline its environmental and climate policies.

The high cost of meeting peak demand for electricity could be reduced if demand could be smoothed. Growth in the use of intermittent, renewable sources of energy will reinforce the need to be able reduce demand when necessary. "Smart" meters for electricity and gas could meet this need, and, by 2018, plans exist for all UK households to have them. However, the UK government's cost-benefit analyses of smart meters for electricity make little mention of their most powerful capability: to set prices in real time, so that consumers pay high prices when supply is tight. Without this, the benefits of smart meters may not be enough to repay the huge cost of their installation. Officialdom's silence on time-of-day pricing means that its impact on poor consumers is not addressed. With smart meters for gas, the case for introduction, even with time-of-day pricing, is equally unconvincing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on energy and the environment. The nuclear renaissance in Great Britain is under threat as contender for plant's building Centrica PLC expressed concerns on power price assurance. The European Court of Justice has ruled the power of European Commission of exceeding by imposing a ceiling on greenhouse-gas emissions in Estonia and Poland in 2007. Moreover, the development of shale gas reserves in neighboring Poland and Ukraine serves as the biggest risk for Russia.

Anticipatory adaptation to climate change requires the impact of future changes in water availability to be investigated prior to deployment of low-carbon electricity generation infrastructure. Here we investigate whether climate change may limit water availability for a proposed coal-fired (CF) power station site with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). We find that climate change may pose constraints on water availability, and that regulatory constraints on water abstraction licences may affect CF electricity generation with CCS. The regulatory constraints associated with the current misalignment of water and energy policies are explored through interviews with stakeholders. We find that water availability has not been identified as a potential limiting factor for future CF electricity generation with CCS and that current UK energy policy, combined with economic and historical factors, may exacerbate the water demand of CF electricity generation with CCS. These issues need to be addressed prior to deployment of CCS technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the wave energy generation and technology in Great Britain. It states that the wave power attributes 10% electricity of the nation if there is a full exploitation. It cites that the west coast of the state has more capability of generating wave power compared to the east coast. It notes that there is wave energy converter (WEC) installed in the Islay island in Scotland that generate 75 kilowatts of electricity while a wave hub was also located in Cornwall, England.

The article discusses the Pigovian theories and practices regarding green taxes to limit greenhouse gas emissions in Great Britain. It outlines Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) acknowledgement of economic theory that used taxes should be set equal to the social cost of carbon (SCC). It notes that failure of the British politics to deliver efficient, neutral and proportionate Pigovian taxation has raised questions on whether the theory can be effectively translated into practice.

While the adoption of an energy services approach is regarded as an important aspect of a low carbon economy, potentially involving greater consumer participation in delivering energy services, relatively few energy service providers (e.g. Energy Service Companies: ESCOs) exist in the UK, and little research has been conducted upon the kinds of beliefs associated with such organisations by members of the public, including ESCO customers. This research begins to address this research gap by means of a case study of a refurbished, mixed-use development in Linthwaite, Yorkshire: Titanic Mill. The project is notable for claims of carbon neutrality and lower fuel bills, the installation of low carbon technologies and intention to create a resident-owned ESCO (Mill Energy Services). Case study methods included content analysis of materials promulgated by the developers and a group discussion with residents. These suggest that Titanic Mill is characterised by passive rather than active roles for residents in delivering energy services, at both individual and collective levels. Some residents already express disappointment with actual bills, despite developers' claims. It is concluded that co-provision is unlikely to be achieved unless all actors (developers, energy consultants and residents) recast how energy services are conceived and communicated, both visually and verbally. Residents' enthusiasm for rethinking demand feedback, as well as some individuals' willingness to participate in the ESCO, suggest a platform upon which a transformation towards collective co-provision of energy services could occur, in the uncertain and dynamic contexts of a gradually emerging sense of community, and fluctuating energy markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the Economist Nicholas Stern's review on the economic climate changes. Stern focused on several issues including, whether or not climate changes is a serious and urgent issue, whether or not Africa is already experiencing the damaging effect of greater climate variability and changes, and whether or not technology and economic instruments are crucial. He confirmed the Great Britain's energy policy. He suggested fixing the perceived market failure by a mechanism that can reduce emissions.

In 1997, the European Union adopted the ambitious target of doubling the share of renewables in total primary energy consumption by 2010. However, by 2003 the EU was still recording low achievement levels, due largely to variation in the generosity and stability of member-state policies to support the diffusion of renewable energy. This article surveys national variation in the diffusion of renewable energy, linking this variation to the degree of ambition in governmental policies. After discussing what drives national policies, we conclude that policy ambitiousness reflects the degree to which salient national energy-related problems converge around renewable energy diffusion as a joint solution. Countries with ambitious renewable energy policies are found to have many unsolved national energy-related problems and an abundant primary renewable energy resource base that could be developed for solving these problems. Countries with less ambitious policies, on the other hand, have fewer salient national energy-related problems or a less abundant renewable energy resource base. Among energy-related problems, the lack of national energy security in combination with policy ambitions to assist new industrial activities emerges as a particularly forceful policy driver. A side-effect of the convergence of many national problems around renewable energy diffusion as solution is that strong advocacy coalitions can more readily be forged to lobby for generous and stable governmental renewable energy policies. Local-level factors will, however, condition the effect of central government policies. Countries that have ensured co-decision power for local communities and benefit-sharing rights in renewable energy development are more likely to sec their ambitious national policies result in diffusion, in contrast to countries with policies that ignore demands at the local level. The UK and Spain, representing low- and high-diffusion countries, respectively, are here discussed as major cases, supported by evidence from other EU member countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the environmental impacts of sustainable development for nuclear energy in Great Britain. It states that the increasing consumption of nuclear energy around the world could result to a major burden for uranium reserves, but there are several viable ways to develop alternative methods such as extraction of plutonium by recycling used nuclear fuel to be utilized in thermal or fast reactors. However, it tells that green movements express condemnation for nuclear energy.

Examines the implication of nuclear power plants for the privatization of the electricity supply industry in Great Britain. Decline in the operating costs of nuclear power plants; Contribution of nuclear output to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; Impact of the inflated wholesale electricity price on the success of the British Energy.

Discusses issues related to nature and environmental sciences compiled as of January 2001. Expansion of gas-fired power generations in Great Britain; Oil price crisis in Europe; Energy policy debates.

Examines the relevant legislation underpinning local air quality management in Great Britain. Designation of Air Quality Management Areas; Requirements of action plans to deliver the goal of cleaner air; Implementation of cost effective and proportional solutions.

Information about the topics discussed during the Energy Institute conference on oil supply and energy security in Great Britain is presented. Topics include an alternative for oil depletion, climate change policy, reduction in emissions. The conference featured several energy industry executives including Jeremy Leggett, Chris Barton, and Steve Sorrell.

The use of emissions trading for the control of sulphur emissions was first proposed by the UK government in 1992 as an attractive means to overcome problems with the existing regulatory framework (DoE, 1992). Despite repeated pronouncements in favour of 'sulphur quota switching' (as it was termed) and a strong commitment to economic instruments and deregulation, the idea was eventually dropped in 1996. This chapter explains why this occurred and draws some general lessons for the implementation of emissions trading in Europe. These lessons are particularly relevant to carbon trading after Kyoto. The various European regulations on sulphur emissions and the way these have been implemented within the UK. An account of the radical changes in UK energy markets over the last decade and the impact of these on sulphur emissions follows. The evolution of the debate on sulphur quota switching is then described, showing how the proposals faced a series of obstacles that ultimately proved insurmountable. Six reasons are proposedfor the failure of the scheme, namely: independent developments in energy markets; a conflict of regulatory principles; a conflict of regulatory culture; a conflict over quota allocation; persistent regulatory uncertainty; and inadequate political support. The wider implications of these lessons are then considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical loads models for acidity underpin international negotiations for the reduction of acid deposition through emissions controls. InGreat Britain and Scandinavia, critical loads for freshwater ecosystems are calculated with the First-order Acidity Balance (FAB) model, which can provide a catchment based estimate of deposition reduction requirements of sulphur and nitrogen species in order to protect any aquatic target organism for which a critical chemical threshold is defined. The FAB model is applied to a national freshwaters database for Great Britain using three deposition scenarios generated with the Hull Acid Rain Model (HARM). Critical load exceedance and changes in three important chemical indicators (non-marine sulphate, nitrate and acid neutralising capacity) are assessed for 1990 baseline depositionlevels, planned emissions reductions under existing international commitments (REF scenario), and a potential stringent emission reduction scenario under a multi-pollutant, multi-effect strategy (E10 scenario). Model outputs indicate that the number of sampled sites exceeding their critical load would be reduced by 60% and 73% respectively under the two future deposition scenarios. There is a clear need for a strategy to reduce both S and N deposition from 1990 levels if British freshwaters in sensitive areas are to be protected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]