Woodsure goes public
The Woodsure quality assurance scheme has been
launched to the public to protect homeowners and
businesses from burning poor quality woodfuel.
Woodsure estimates that a quarter of all woodfuel
used by UK consumers fails to meet quality standards at a
time when demand is increasing by 5,000 tonnes a week.
Certified by HETAS, Woodsure certification aims to
show users that they are using suppliers and products
they can trust. Over 200 woodfuel suppliers are currently
Woodsure certified and meet international and European
standards.
“Without quality woodfuel, biomass as a carbon
neutral energy source simple doesn’t work,” said Andrew
Harvey, Woodsure director.
“Poor quality fuel is the source of inefficiency and
environmental issues. Woodsure will play a key role in
meeting carbon reduction targets.”
Helen Bentley Fox, Woodsure manager, added:
“The launch is part of a wider campaign to get people to
think about where their woodfuel comes from. We want
consumers to look for the Woodsure logo on the products
they buy and always buy it from a trusted Woodsure
certified supplier.”
REA seeks policy clarity following
Hinkley nuclear deal
The Renewable Energy Association
is asking the government to clarify its
energy strategy following an agreement
between the UK and Chinese
governments to build a nuclear reactor
at Hinkley Point in Somerset
The multi-billion pound deal,
signed during Chinese president Xi
Jinping’s state visit to the UK last
month, comes at a time of turmoil in
the renewables industry driven by
proposed changes to key subsidies.
The REA say they are struggling
to see the larger joined up vision of
a national energy strategy when the
taxpayer is being asked to pay a strike
price of £92.50/MW to support Hinkley
for the next 35 years, at a time when
spending on renewables is being cut.
Dr Nina Skorupska, chief
executive of the REA, said: “The
REA welcomes the government’s
continued commitment to low carbon
energy production, but urges them to
reveal the overall energy strategy. The
industry and the public are concerned
and unclear about the future of
renewables, many of which are roaring
towards the point in which they need
no subsidy at all.
“The REA is interested to
understand the government’s vision
for decentralised energy production
in the UK, which allows communities,
homeowners and businesses to directly
take a stake in their energy future.”
EU to exceed carbon reduction targets, says EEA
The European Union is on track towards beating its 2020 greenhouse
gas emissions reduction target, according to a report published by
the European Environment Agency.
The ‘Trends and projections in Europe 2015’ report indicates
that greenhouse gas emissions in Europe decreased by 23 percent
between 1990 and 2014 – three percent more than the level
mandated for by EU legislation.
The EU is already working towards its 2030 goal of cutting
emissions by 40 percent, which is the EU’s contribution towards the
new global climate change negotiations in Paris next month.
EU commissioner for climate action and energy, Miguel Arias
Canete, said: “These results speak for themselves: Europe succeeded
in cutting emissions by 23 percent while the economy grew by 46
percent over the same period.
“This is a strong signal ahead of the Paris climate conference
that Europe stands by its commitments and that our climate and
energy policies work.”
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