Uk on track

In spite of cuts in its solar PV power feed-in tariff, renewable energy’s share of UK electricity output surged 39% higher to 11.1% in the first quarter last year, according to the Dept. of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). This is a good sign as the UK makes rapid headway in meeting a goal of 15% renewable energy by 2020. Low carbon generation was up by 2 percent to the previous year while end-user consumption also fell by 2.3 percent.

Onshore wind was the fastest growing source of electrical power for the UK overall in Q1, jumping 51% to 3.55 Terawatt-hours (TWh), while offshore wind total rated capacity increased 49.8% to 1.49 TWh. Hydro power production also registered impressive gains, rising 43.5% to 1.86 TWh.

The U.K. government has been taking the right steps in the direction and one of the latest was the decision to introduce mandatory carbon reporting rules requiring around 1,800 of the country's largest listed companies to report annually on their greenhouse gas emissions.

As the deputy prime minister noted, Pepsi depends on water, Unilever depends on fish stocks and agricultural land, and every firm relies on a stable fuel supply. But while nine out of 10 chief executives say sustainability is fundamental to their success, only two out of 10 record the resources they consume.

The U.K. will press from the start of next financial year that all firms listed on the London Stock Exchange will have to report the levels of greenhouse gases they emit. The rules are initially expected to be restricted to firms listed on the main London Stock Exchange; the regulations are slated for review in 2015, and ministers are scheduled to consider expanding the rules to all large companies beginning in 2016, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

 It is expected that the move will force businesses to track their carbon emissions and energy use, making it easier for them to identify areas where they can enhance efficiency.