The government has confirmed it is to launch a replacement scheme for the Energy Company Obligation in April 2017 but fears are growing over what appears to be a 40% reduction to its budget.

Chancellor George Osborne has announced that the Renewable Heat Incentive will see its budget increase to £1.15 billion to 2020 but has promised substantial reform of the scheme.

The UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) has announced that it has raised over £10 billion in green infrastructure investment in the last three years as it prepares to enter the private sector.

The chief executive of the Green Deal Finance Company has pointed to government changes to the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) as a key reason for the failure of the home energy efficiency scheme.

Candidates in the race to become the next Mayor of London have committed to a target for the city to become zero carbon and run on 100% clean energy by the year 2050.

A number of Labour councils have pledged to eliminate all carbon emissions in their areas by 2050 in a move that will build pressure on the government’s commitment to green energy.

Elderly charity Age UK has called for “urgent action” from the government to protect elderly home owners with improved heating and efficiency measures.

The number of domestic applications under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) has dropped considerably in the last year as the industry waits for a decision on the future of the scheme.

Businesses are being urged to consider the benefits of energy efficiency as a cost-saving measure after new data emerged suggesting a tiny minority of companies covered by energy efficiency regulations have submitted compliance details.

The Conservative government’s ambition on energy efficiency has fallen into question after evidence emerged that its current aims fall well behind those achieved by the previous government.