The European Court of Justice has ruled that the UK’s reduction in VAT rate for energy-saving materials for housing violates the EU’s VAT Directive.

The UK is wilfully ignoring the myriad benefits of allowing local renewable energy generators to supply their energy to local consumers, according to climate change charity 10:10.

UK consumers collectively owe energy providers £507 million, a 9% rise in debt levels from £464 million in 2014. The news comes after the secretary of state for energy and climate change, Amber Rudd wrote to the ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers to ask them to lower their prices in order to reflect the drop in wholesale gas prices.

Electric vehicle manufacturer, Tesla and renewable energy developer, Gaelectric have announced a joint test project to evaluate utility-scale storage to facilitate the integration of renewables onto the grid.

More than 50 companies from the construction and property industry have united to sign an open letter which calls on the UK government to recognise the “major economic opportunity” offered by reducing carbon emissions from buildings.

Today’s Queen’s speech highlighted Prime Minister David Cameron’s desire to tackle energy security measures and climate change, however expected plans to cut subsidies for onshore wind farms have not been included.

Trojan Battery, manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries, has announced that it is expanding its research and development capabilities with a new facility in Sligo, Ireland.

There are now over 14,000 Green Deal plans and applications worth a total of £50.3 million, according to figures published by the Green Deal Finance Company (GDFC).

The burning of fossil fuel attracts subsidies of US$5.3 trillion a year, the equivalent of 6.5% of global GDP, according to the latest report published by the IMF.

The University of Dundee has invested almost £70,000 in three new electric vans, an electric car and 12 electric bikes in order to cut its carbon footprint.