WIREDGOV

BERR: A major expansion of energy from renewable sources and the launch of the competition to build one of the world's first carbon capture and storage (CCS) plants were among the measures set out in a major speech on climate change by the Prime Minister recently.

 

The speech comes on the day the Commission on Environmental Markets and Economic Performance (CEMEP) publishes its Government-commissioned report setting out the steps needed to unlock the business opportunities that exist in tackling climate change.

 

Among the announcements were that Government will announce a decision on future nuclear power in the New Year and that it was launching a Carbon Capture and Storage competition.  This follows the previous announcement by John Hutton that the project should demonstrate post-combustion CCS on a coal-fired power station, with CO2 stored offshore.

Press release ~ The Prime Minister’s speech ~ Information memorandum for potential CCS competition entrants ~ Commission on Environmental Markets and Economic Performance (CEMEP) report & related docs) ~ WWF 'A One Planet Future' ~ Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) - BERR ~ Storing CO2 under the North Sea Basin ~ CO2GeoNet Network of Excellence ~ Tidal Power in the UK – Full Report ~ Climate Solutions: WWF's vision for 2050 ~ Near Zero Emissions Coal (NZEC)

 

CLG: BedfordshireCounty Council, Mid-Bedfordshire District Council and South Bedfordshire District Council have been asked to draw up their proposals following the decision that the Government is minded to implement proposals for a unitary authority for Bedford Borough Council.

 

Any new proposals must demonstrate how restructuring will deliver strong, effective and accountable strategic leadership, genuine opportunities for neighbourhood flexibility and empowerment; and value for money and equity on public services.  They must also demonstrate how the change to the future unitary structure will be affordable and supported by a broad cross section of partners and stakeholders.

Press release ~ Invitation for Unitary Structure for Bedfordshire ~ Proposals for Future Unitary Structure: Stakeholder Consultation - Summary of Responses ~ Counties, Non-metropolitan Districts and Unitary Authorities

 

DIUS: Six key new technologies have been highlighted as central to the UK's future prosperity in a report published by the Council for Science and Technology (CST), which has rigorously assessed over 100 technology areas in its search to find the most promising technologies for the UK to focus on over the next five years.

 

The six winning technologies are:

* Carbon Capture and Storage

* Disaster Mitigation Technologies

* Plastic Electronics

* Low Carbon Distribution Networks for Electricity Supply

* Medical Devices

* E-health

 

Four further platform technologies were also identified: bandwidth telecommunications; cell & tissue therapies; pervasive systems; simulation & modelling.

Press release ~ Strategic Decision Making for Technology Policy Making ~ Council for Science and Technology (CST) ~ Technology Strategy Board ~ BERR - Innovation ~ Research Councils