Latest News

May 2008
EU Renewables Target
The Council has recently completed a piece of work looking at the implications of delivering a 15% renewable energy target in the UK. Read the full report, and a presentation of the key highlights.

April 2008
Sustainable Cities
The UKBCSE with the support of Shell is holding a series of events around the UK on the role of cities in moving to a low carbon economy.
View here

10 March 2008
Steve Holliday becomes Chairman of UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy
The UKBCSE is pleased to announce that Steve Holliday Chief Executive of National Grid Plc is becoming the new Chairman of the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy.

The UK Business Council works to support the fastest transition possible towards a sustainable energy economy consistent with the delivery of a secure and affordable energy infrastructure.

Succeeding Ian Marchant, Chief Executive of Scottish and Southern Energy as Chairman of the Council, Steve Holliday says:

“Climate change is the biggest challenge facing us all. Energy companies have a central role in meeting this challenge, and making the significant investment needed to support the move to a low carbon economy. They are keen to make the transition, and apply their knowledge, skills and investment to the task.
The Council plays a vital role in driving forward the delivery of a sustainable energy policy for the UK. I look forward to working with my fellow CEOs to match the scale of the task before us all ”.

Read Steve Holliday Biography (pdf)

February 2008
UKBCSE Event: Distributed Energy - From the Margins to the Mainstream?
The Council hosted a seminar on 13 February 2008, bringing together the key players across the energy sector to look at what is happening and the issues shaping how the momentum to develop distributed energy schemes can be built upon.

The event generated a great deal of interest and provided some effective opportunities for collaboration between Government and industry.

View presentations from the event:

BERR (pdf)
EDF (pdf)
EON (ppt)
OFGEM (pdf)
LDA (pdf)
RWE npower (pdf)

21 September
Joint ERA and UKBCSE submission to the Call for Evidence on the Supplier Obligation
Read here (pdf)

10 September
Response by the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy Consultation on Reform of the Renewables Obligation
Read here (pdf)

10 September
Joint Statement on the Reform of the Renewables Obligation by UKBCSE, Association of Electricity Producers, British Wind Energy Association, Micropower Council, Renewable Energy Association, Scottish Renewables
Read here (pdf)

13 August 2007
Response to the Consultation on the Planning White Paper
Read here (pdf)

2 August 2007
Response to the consultation on Guidance to Local Authorities in England and Wales on Climate Change Mitigation and Fuel Poverty
Read here (pdf)

10 July 2007
David Green, Chief Executive of the UKBCSE won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Energy at the third annual PRASEG awards.
Read more

9 July 2007
UKBCSE Seminar on GreenPower in Australia Held
Megan Wheatley, Head of Policy at the Council, led a discussion on the GreenPower programme in Australia to help inform the development of the approach to green energy tariffs in the UK. In her previous role, Megan was closely involved in the Australian GreenPower scheme, and the extensive activity that was introduced to promote it.
Megan's presentation can be downloaded here

23 May 2007
UKBCSE Energy White Paper Press Release (.pdf)

23 May 2007
UKBCSE Planning White Paper Press Release (.pdf)

8 March 2007
Renewable Solutions Conference
Megan Wheatley, Head of Policy at the UKBCSE spoke at South West England’s first ever conference for local authority councillors and officers on renewable energy which was run by Regen SW. The conference showcased examples of local authority leadership and highlighted renewable energy opportunities for all sectors of local government.

Megan presented the international, national and local context for shaping sustainable energy deployment in the UK. In particular, she focussed on the opportunities at a local level to drive the greater uptake of sustainable energy technologies and practices.

See the presentation in full here.

6 March 2007
European Strategic Energy Review
David Green, Chief Executive of the UKBCSE participated on a panel that was hosted by Lord Truscott, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, DTI to discuss the European Strategic Energy Review. The conference included a presentaton by Andris Piebalgs, the EU Commissioner for Energy, on the Strategic Energy Review.

David expressed support for the Energy Review which integrates energy policy with the climate change agenda. He also expressed the view that the focus now needs to be on delivering on the targets outlined in the various directives.

31 January 2007
UKBCSE's Annual Parliamentary Reception
At the end of January, the Council held its annual new year’s reception in Westminster. The Rt. Hon. Alistair Darling MP, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry kindly said a few words at the event, which was extremely well attended by colleagues from the NGO, business, policy-making and political communities.
View Photos

3 January 2007
Response to the consultation on the reform of the Renewables Obligation
Read here (.pdf)

3 January 2007
Joint Statement on the Renewables Obligation by UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy, Association of Electricity Producers, British Wind Energy Association, Micropower Council, Renewable Energy Association, Scottish Renewables Forum
Read here (.pdf)

3 January 2007
Observations on Distributed Energy to inform the Call for Evidence on Distributed Generation
Read here (.pdf)

24 October 2006
Response to the initial consultation by DEFRA on the Energy Efficiency Commitment April 2008 to March 2011
Read here (.pdf)

1 August 2006
David Green speaks at Ofgem EEC Summit

David Green, Chief Executive of the UKBCSE spoke Ofgem’s 2006 Energy Efficiency Summit on 1 August 2006.

The Summit, attended by over 60 representatives of the energy efficiency sector, focussed on progress in Phase 2 of the Energy Efficiency Commitment, and broader issues resulting from the Energy Review.

David Green spoke alongside Jackie Janes, Head of Sustainable Energy Policy at Defra and Richard Sykes, Head of Customer Market Development at EDF Energy. His presentation sought to put EEC in its broader context, emphasising that action was needed across all sectors. Within the domestic sector he stressed that in addition to stretching ambition, encouraging flexibility and innovation was essential.

See the presentation in full here. More information can be found here

17 May 2006
UKBCSE Presentation at NEMEX Conference

Justin Johnson, Head of Policy at the UKBCSE spoke at the National Energy Management Exhibition (NEMEX) on 17 May 2006 about climate change and the Energy Review.
He spoke alongside Tom Burke from Imperial College and Environmental Adviser to Rio Tinto, Luc Werring from the European Commission and David Strong, Managing Director of BRE Environment. Within the broader context of climate change, Justin focussed on questions within the Energy Review, and provided an overview of trends in energy efficiency policy.

His presentation can be seen here (ppt).

13 April 2006
UKBCSE Submission to the UK Government Energy ReviewRead here (.pdf)

UKBCSE Signs Joint Statement on Sustainable Energy

In addition to its own submission to the UK Government's Energy Review, the Council joined 35 other organisations in signing a joint statement on sustainable energy which will also be submitted into the Review.
Read here (.pdf)

22 March 2006
UKBCSE Response to 2006 Budget

Read here (pdf)

28 February 2006
UKBCSE first annual dinner in partnership with CBI/TUC/Carbon Trust

The UKBCSE hosted its first annual dinner on 28 February, in conjunction with the TUC/ CBI / Carbon Trust Conference 'A Sustainable Energy policy for the UK', The dinner was kindly sponsored by UKBCSE member United Utilities plc .

In his last public event as Chairman of the Council, John Roberts CBE, Chief Executive of United Utilities, made some opening remarks before introducing Elliot Morley MP, Minister of State for Climate Change and Environment to give a short speech. Guests at the dinner included Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, as well as the leaders of a number of major unions, Chief Executives of some of the major energy companies and environmental NGOs, and many other senior colleagues from the energy sector.

In his speech, Elliot Morley MP welcomed the cooperation between business groups and other organisations to see climate change "as an opportunity - not a threat" and in particular welcomed the Councils' work with the Climate Group "on how existing international climate policy is influencing business decisions and what aspects of this process should be taken into account when formulating policy proposals for the post-2012 period". Within the Council, this work is being led by Kirsty Hamilton.

Read the Elliot Morley speech in full

26 January 2006
UKBCSE holds first 'Thinking Differently' Seminar

The UKBCSE held the first in a series of seminars intended to showcase and debate new thinking in energy policy on 26 January. Taking recent proposals from the Carbon Trust as it's starting point, the seminar looked at policy proposals to tackle energy use in the business and public sector. Michael Grubb, Chief Economist at the Carbon Trust, and James Wilde, Associate Director of Strategy at the Carbon Trust introduced their proposals, and following this, Philip Douglas from DEFRA, responded with a 'policy-makers perspective'. There then followed a lively audience discussion, which included representatives from business, business groups, NGOs and the policy community. The seminar was kindly hosted by Shell UK.
Read press release

24 January 2006
UKBCSE's Annual Parliamentary Reception
Just days after the launch of the Government’s Energy Review, the Council held its annual new year’s reception in Westminster. Malcolm Wicks MP, the Minister for Energy, kindly said a few words at the event, which was extremely well attended by colleagues from the NGO, business, policy-making and political communities.

The reception also announced Ian Marchant, Chief Executive of Scottish & Southern, as the incoming Chairman of the Council. He takes over from John Roberts CBE, Chief Executive of United Utilities, who stood down from the Chair after steering the Council for 2 years. On behalf of the Council, Ian Marchant thanked John Roberts for his work to develop the Council, helping it become a highly respected and influential voice in sustainable energy policy.

Read press release here (.pdf)
View Photos

12 January 2006
UKBCSE host a joint seminar on Energy Efficiency with the European Commission's UK Representation

On the 12 of January, the UKBCSE & the UK Representation of the European Commission hosted a seminar at which Christopher Jones, Deputy Head of the Cabinet of Commissioner Piebalgs, within DG Tren (Transport & Energy) at the European Commision led a discussion on current EU Initiatives on Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy.

Although the seminar centred on the EU Green Paper on Energy Efficiency and the Commission’s plans for taking forward these initiatives, discussion also focused on the forthcoming EU Energy Policy Green Paper and the growing EU-wide debates about security of supply. Andrew Warren, Director of the Association for the Conservation of Energy and Chair of the British Energy Efficency Federation, and Senior Adviser to EuroACE provided a commentary in response to the seminar, prior to a wider discussion.

Download EU Green Paper on Energy Efficiency

10 January 2006
UKBCSE and RES host Ministerial visit to Low-Carbon Offices

Renewable Energy Systems (RES) & the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy hosted a visit by the Minister for Climate Change Elliot Morley MP to the innovative and award-winning zero-carbon offices of RES on 12 January.
Read press release.

12 December 2005
Highlights of Montreal International Climate Talks & Statement by BCSEs to the Conference
Read Here
Read BCSE's Statement

1 December 2005
UKBCSE Chief Executive David Green welcomes launch of Government Climate Change Communications Initiative.

Speaking at the launch of the Government's new Climate Change Communications Initiative, David Green, the Chief Executive of the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy welcomed it as 'an important step'.
Read press release.

29 November 2005
Energy Review: an opportunity to drive new investment
Read Here (pdf)

2 November 2005
UKBCSE Presentation to International Energy Efficiency Conference

UKBCSE Chief Executive David Green gave a presentation on 'Energy Efficiency & Business Perspectives: G8 and UK feedback' to Defra's International Conference on Energy Efficiency on 2 November. Also speaking at the conference were Margaret Beckett, UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Andris Piebalgs, European Energy Commissioner.

View presentation

17 October 2005
UKBCSE member gets top award

National Grid have come top in environmental reporting, an American research institute has declared. Analysing the environmental and sustainability reports of 45 energy and utilities companies across the world, the Roberts Environmental Centre scored National Grid the highest across six categories.
www.roberts.mckenna.edu
www.nationalgrid.com

6 October 2005
Joint Statement by Business Councils for Sustainable Energy to coincide with G8 Conference on Climate Change

On the occasion of the G8 Presidency related conference on the theme of 'Climate Change: the Business Forecast', the Business Councils for Sustainable Energy in Australia, Europe, the US and the UK have issued this joint statement and accompanying press release calling for concerted action by the world's governments to boost investment in sustainable energy.
Read statement here(.pdf)
Read press release here(.pdf)

5 October 2005
Secretaries of State welcome business engagement on climate change at conference

The UK Government hosted the "Climate Change - the Business Forecast" conference for business on climate change in London on October 5-6. The conference explored the key issues for Government and business around four streams: "power and energy", "transport and logistics", "consumers, products and buildings" and "climate, investment and finance". The UKBCSE were closely involved in drawing together the “power and energy” stream and a number of UKBCSE members contributed to the session.

Speaking at the Conference, Secretary of State for Trade & Industry Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson MP said: “We know we can only lead successfully by working with the business community…Which is why events like today and organisations like the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy are so valuable.”
Read more (.pdf)

3 October 2005
Prime Minister response to UK Power Sector and Green NGO Chief Executives Joint Letter to Government
The Prime Minister praised the joint work of Government and Industry for domestic and international achievements, and raised the need to focus on the domestic goal for carbon dioxide emissions reduction with the objective "...to ensure we have an effective policy framework that allows industry to plan and invest and one that fosters competition and innovation and gives UK businesses the opportunity to play a leading role in the development of new technologies".
Read response here

5 September 2005
Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP response to UK Power Sector and Green NGO Chief Executives Joint Letter to Government
Read response here

29 July 2005
UK Power Sector and Green NGO Chief Executives Send Joint Letter into Government
Through the UKBCSE, leaders from the UK energy sector have combined forces with the Executive Directors of Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth to urge the Government to set a clear pathway to the 2050 target of a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Read here (.pdf).

30 July 2005
No. 10 Response to Letter from Dr John Roberts CBE on Climate Change
The response highlighted the importance of the Gleneagles summit for future negotiations under the UNFCCC and listed the international Climate Change conference held on 5-6 October as an opportunity to look at climate change issues across a variety of business sectors, working closely with the BCSE on the power sector.
Read response here

4 July 2005
UK BCSE Chairman Dr John Roberts CBE writes to Prime Minister on Climate Change
Read here.

4 July 2005
UK BCSE Chairman Dr John Roberts CBE writes to Financial Times on Climate Change
Read here.

21 June 2005
UKBCSE Response to DTI 2005-06 Review of the Renewable Obligation
Read here.

23 March 2005
UKBCSE Submission to Review of UK Climate Change Programme
The submission is in three parts:

UKBCSE Letter to DEFRA - Bulleted High Level Messages
UKBCSE Submission
Detailed UKBCSE Responses to DEFRA Questionnaire

02 December 2004
UKBCSE 2nd Annual Lecture
The second in a series of the Council’s Guest Lectures was given by Ed Gallagher, Chairman of Energywatch, who reflected on the consumer dimension to the delivery of sustainable energy.
We are grateful for the support of RWE npower in hosting this event.

Read here (.pdf).