News

Communities Secretary outlines vision for radically enhancing the role of councils

Communities Secretary John Denham yesterday outlined his vision for radically enhancing the role of councils with greater autonomy and powers to drive low carbon living - changing the expectations of what local government is and what it does for people.

For more information click here: http://www.eeph.org.uk/energy/index.cfm?mode=view&news_id=1240

Business Minister announces low carbon transition forum

Business Minister Pat McFadden recently announced the creation and first meeting of the new Forum for a Just Transition, a body set up to ensure that the opportunities and challenges of moving to a low carbon economy are shared equally around the UK.

For more information click here: http://www.eeph.org.uk/energy/index.cfm?mode=view&news_id=1241

Housing and Planning Minister announces proposals to overhaul the planning system

Housing and Planning Minister John Healey has published proposals for homeowners, developers and businesses to be able to install their own on-site wind turbines, and air source heat pumps without the expense and red tape of planning permission.

For more information click here: http://www.eeph.org.uk/energy/index.cfm?mode=view&news_id=1242

Agreement for revision to buildings directive

EU governments and MEPs have agreed to revise the 2002 energy performance of buildings directive that will force all new buildings constructed after 2020 to have a "very high energy performance".

The compromise text still has to be formally approved by the Council before the full Parliament gives its final endorsement at the beginning of 2010. Once adopted and published in the EU Official Journal, Member States will have two years to bring their national into line with the new directive.

To read the press release visit: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/051-64747-322-11-47-909-20091118IPR64746-18-11-2009-2009-false/default_en.htm

Queen¿s Speech - Energy Bill

The Queen's Speech has outlined an Energy Bill, which is expected to give the regulator Ofgem more power to intervene on behalf of consumers.

For details visit: http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page21349

London mayor launches energy makeover scheme

London mayor Boris Johnson has launched a £9.5m series of trials to cut energy used in 10,000 households across nine boroughs and the plan is to extend the scheme to between 200,000 and 500,000 homes across London by 2012 rising to 1.2m by 2015.

For full details visit: http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?src=nl&id=17277

Summary of Responses to Community Energy Saving Programme Guidance Consultation

A number of organisations submitted responses to Ofgem's Community Energy Saving Programme 2009-2012 Guidance Consultation.

To view the these click here: http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Pages/MoreInformation.aspx?docid=3&refer=Sustainability/Environment/EnergyEff/cesp

California approves new energy efficiency standards for televisions

The California Energy Commission has voted unanimously to become the first state to impose energy efficiency standards for televisions. The agency estimates the move will save consumers $1 billion a year in energy costs.

For details visit: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/11/18/california.efficient.televisions/index.html

Scottish House Condition Survey

The Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) is the only national survey of housing and households undertaken in Scotland. It combines both an interview with occupants and a physical inspection of dwellings to build a picture of Scotland's occupied housing stock which covers all types of households and dwellings across the entire country - whether owned or rented, flats or houses.

For details visit: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/11/23090958/0

Defra Sustainable Development Action Plan September 2009 ¿ March 2011

This document sets out the department's plans to integrate sustainable development into its policies.

For details visit: http://www.defra.gov.uk/sustainable/defra/pdf/sd-action-plan-2009-2011.pdf

Details on Sustainable Consumption and Production are on page 27.

Government publishes Skills Investment Strategy

The Government has published the Skills Investment Strategy 2010 -11 which sets out how it will invest in the skills critical to the recovery and long-term success of the UK economy.

For details visit: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=408631&NewsAreaID=2&ClientID=431

Events

Housing and the Environment - a greener future
Thursday 3rd December 2009 at York Racecourse

For details visit: http://www.northern-consortium.org.uk/Page/Events/Housingandtheenvironmentagreenerfuture.aspx

The Great British Refurb Workshop
Tuesday 8th December at LSE

For details visit: http://sticerd.lse.ac.uk/LSEhousing/events/default.asp

Job Vacancies

Sustainable Homes have a couple of vacancies, for details visit: http://www.sustainablehomes.co.uk/vacancies.aspx