G8 Environmental Futures Forum 2000

Summary of Best Practices
United Kingdom
1. Encouraging Reduced Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Agriculture ----- Detail
These measures to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture are being implemented:
(1) Decrease nitrous oxide emissions through reducing nitrogen surpluses in agricultural systems and encouraging efficient use of resources, and
(2) Decrease methane emissions through improved diets and productivity in intensive cattle production.

2. "Are You Doing Your Bit?" Campaign ----- Detail
The Government's £25 million 'Are You Doing Your Bit?' environmental awareness publicity campaign aims to explain the link between individual action and environmental impact in very simple terms and stimulate public awareness and action. Launched by the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in 1998, the campaign encourages small but important behavioural changes in our everyday actions to benefit both ourselves and the local and global environment.

3. Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme (Eebpp) ----- Detail
The programme produces an extensive range of information aimed at professionals and advisers in industry, commerce, business transport, the public sector and buildings. Its functions are:

  • to advance and spread good practice in energy efficiency;
  • to provide support for energy efficiency R&D;
  • to provide a nationally-recognised knowledge base on energy efficiency measures; and
  • to help inform and develop UK policy on climate change, sustainable development and competitiveness.

4. Climate Change Levy ----- Detail
The climate change levy is a levy on the use of energy in industry, commerce and the public sector. However, the overall tax burden will not increase as the revenue will be used to fund (1) a reduction in employment tax and (2) take-up of energy efficinecy and renewables. Energy intensive sectors will receive a rebate in exchange for taking on challenging targets to improve their energy efficiency. The levy will also encourage employment opportunities and stimulate investment in new environmental technologies.

5. Reform of Company Car Taxation ----- Detail
Proposed changes to company car taxation are and important fiscal measure to tackle CO2 emissions from road transport. Business mileage discounts will be abolished and the tax charge will subsequently vary with the level of CO2 emissions from the company car.

6. Electricity Liberalisation ----- Detail
The UK energy scene has changed significantly following the privatisation of most public sector industries over the last 15 years or so. A major-- and initially unexpected-- beneficiary of this change has been the environment. The switch from coal-fired to gas-fired technology for electricity generation has significantly reduced our emissions of carbon dioxide.

7. Fuel Duty Escalator ----- Detail
The fuel duty escalator-- an annual above-inflation increase in the duties on road fuels-- is primarily aimed at reducing CO2 emissions from road transport. The intentions behind the fuel duty are:

  • the purchase and use of more fuel-efficient vehicles and fuel-saving technologies
  • the adoption of more economical driving styles
  • reduced vehicle use

8. The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 - Application and Effective in England ----- Detail
The overall aim of this Act is to engage relevant local authorities in the UK-who have responsibilities for housing-- in securing improvements in the energy efficiency of residential accommodation. The Act operates not by placing detailed and onerous obligations on local government, but through a reporting regime, which allows authorities considerable scope for developing appropriate local approaches. Local authorities were required to prepare an energy conservation report identifying measures to improve the energy efficiency of all residential accommodation in their area; and are now required to report regularly on progress in implementation.

9. Voluntary Agreements to Reduce HFC Emissions ----- Detail
The main aims of the Voluntary Agreements are to encourage users to develop strategies to minimise HFC emissions and to ensure that HFCs are not used if safe, practical and more environmentally acceptable alternatives are available.

10. Promoting Renewable Energy (NFFO) ----- Detail
The Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) is a obligation imposed by an Order requiring the Public Electricity Suppliers (PESs) to secure specified amounts of generating capacity from specified sources of renewable energy. The PESs contract collectively with renewables generators through the Non-Fossil Purchasing Agency Ltd (NFPA). Costs of the arrangements made are reimbursed by a levy through which costs are passed on to consumers.

11. Environmental Reporting - Guidelines for Company Reporting on GHG Emissions ----- Detail
The UK Government has developed guidelines to help those businesses who want to report publicly and quantitatively on their greenhouse gas emissions, based on a model for reporting developed by the United Nations Environment Programme. The Government is encouraging companies to respond to broader moves for reductions in greenhouse gases, as well as helping them to identify where their main emissions come from and set themselves published targets for reduction.

12 The New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme ----- Detail
The New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) is designed to improve the energy efficiency of low income households in England. The scheme will begin improving homes from June 2000. It will provide increased grants of up to £2,000 per household compared to the £315 available under the present scheme operated since 1991. It will provide complete packages of assistance to household covering both insulation and heating improvements, including the provision of high-efficiency central heating systems. The heating improvements will be funded through the private sector, with the use of operating leases to fund the installation of these central heating systems. A major UK gas utility, Trasco, is supporting the provision of these systems by underwriting the residual value of the system.

13 The Energy Saving Trust ----- Detail
The Energy Saving Trust was established in 1992 by the government and the energy companies to develop new programmes to promote the efficient use of energy following the liberalisation of the gas and electricity markets. The Trust runs a set of programmes funded by the Government which focus on the domestic and small and medium industrial sectors. The programmes aim to improve awareness of energy efficiency, provide information and advice and work with the market to develop energy efficient goods and services. The Trust attracts considerable additional funding from other sources such as industry for its programmes, which aim to become self-sustaining in the long term.


Summary of Best Practices - United Kingdom
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