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United Kingdom 2024
Energy Policy Review Government action plays a pivotal role in ensuring secure and sustainable energy transitions and combatting the climate crisis. Energy policy is critical not just for the energy sector but also for meeting environmental, economic and social goals. Governments need to respond to their country’s specific needs, adapt to regional contexts and help address global challenges. In this context, the International Energy Agency (IEA) conducts Energy Policy Reviews to support governments in developing more impactful energy and climate policies. This Energy Policy Review was prepared in partnership between the Government of the United Kingdom and the IEA…
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries: The United Kingdom 2012 Review
…capacity will have to be closed this decade. However, oil and gas imports are well diversified, and the government intends to promote various technologies to generate low-carbon electricity – renewable and nuclear energy and carbon capture and storage. More efficient energy use is essential to both decarbonisation and energy security. The Green Deal programme, which the UK plans to launch later this year, aims to improve energy efficiency in buildings and public spaces. The programme has the potential to help energy consumers overcome economic challenges, but for it to succeed, the general public must be sufficiently aware of its benefits.
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries: The United Kingdom 2006 Review
…investment and security of supply. Nevertheless, it also identifies the need for the government to play a more active role in setting the framework. On the demand side, the IEA considers the government's “Energy Efficiency Commitment” (EEC) an impressive success. The EEC was introduced in 2002 and is an energy-saving programme under which suppliers must achieve efficiency targets in households. Challenges, such as the requirement that 50% of savings come from low-income households, remain. The review invites the government to investigate ways in which fuel poverty could be reduced without distorting the EEC. Energy Policies of the…
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries: United Kingdom 2019 Review
…to meet peak demand is likely to increase. The United Kingdom has been able to stabilise production from the North Sea. Given its long term decline, however, oil and gas imports are critical. Maintaining open energy trade with the Continent and the world has to remain a top priority. The UK Clean Growth Strategy puts energy technology and innovation at the centre of its decarbonisation policy. The IEA underlines that the country’s offshore expertise is a strong basis for innovative technologies, such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage, and also hydrogen, along with improving energy efficiency. In this report…
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries: United Kingdom 2002
Energy Policy Review Energy Policies of IEA Countries: United Kingdom 2002 The International Energy Agency's 2002 review of the UK's energy policies and programmes. It finds that the UK energy sector has performed remarkably well during the 1990s. The gas and electricity markets opened up to competition. Real gas and electricity prices fell. Domestic natural gas replaced coal in the power industry, and carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution declined as a result. Increased oil and gas production on the UK continental shelf has contributed significantly to these developments. Central to the success of the energy sector however…
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Oil and Gas Emergency Policy: The United Kingdom 2010 update
Oil and Gas Emergency Policy: The United Kingdom 2010 update In 2007, the IEA published Oil Supply Security: Emergency Response of IEA Countries. This report provides an overview of the IEA oil emergency response system and a detailed look at the specific systems in each IEA country for responding to an oil supply crisis. The report represented the findings of a five-year review cycle of the emergency response mechanisms in IEA member countries. Since the 2007 publication, the IEA has started a new cycle of reviews which now includes reviewing gas emergency policies. Rather than waiting for the completion…
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Fuel economy in the United Kingdom
Market profile and analysis of fuel consumption trends Almost 2.7 million light-duty vehicles (LDVs) were sold in the United Kingdom in 2019, down 8% from 2017 levels. Average fuel consumption of new LDVs improved from 7.4 litres of gasoline equivalent per 100 kilometres (Lge/100 km) in 2005 to 5.7 Lge/100 km in 2016, but has since risen to 6.3 Lge/100 km in 2019, which is 12% below the global average. This recent hike is largely driven by a growing market for SUVs/pick-up trucks and a reversal in fuel economy improvements across LDV segements. The sales share…
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Changes in transport behaviour during the Covid-19 crisis
Covid-19 is changing our behaviour and transport energy use patterns The restrictions put in place to limit the diffusion and impacts of Covid-19 have had a widespread impact on people’s lives, and the way energy is used across entire economies.One of the biggest impacts has been the reduction in passenger transport demand, due to a combination of government lockdowns and fears of contracting and spreading the virus when using mass transport modes. While freight transport has also been reduced, the drivers of freight activity during the current crisis are complex, driven by both supply- and demand…
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United Kingdom's legislation on oil security
…and availability of energy. Before the powers can be used, an Order in Council (a further piece of legislation) must be made.Alternatively, the EA’s provisions may also be utilised if the implementation of UK obligations within the legal framework of the European Union or the International Energy Programme (IEP) of the International Energy Agency (IEA) so require (section 3(1)(a) EA). Using the powers for these purposes would also require an Order in Council. Authority determining whether emergency exists The method by which these powers are made available is through an Order in Council, which is made…