Energy Archives

Regulating Product Sustainability

Thursday, 10 June, 2021

Products can be designed to maximise life cycle energy- and resource-efficiency, from raw material extraction to end-of-life treatment. This POSTnote outlines key aspects of, and consumer attitudes towards, sustainable products. It considers challenges associated with their design, production, regulation and supporting business models as part of a circular economy. ‘End-of-life’ treatment and value recovery, through reuse, recycling and other methods, are discussed.

Low-carbon hydrogen supply

Thursday, 10 June, 2021

Hydrogen could play a significant role in tackling climate change. Using it does not produce carbon dioxide, so it could replace fossil fuels in a range of applications. It may also provide valuable energy storage. However, almost all hydrogen production currently results in greenhouse gas emissions. Methods of producing it that do not emit greenhouse gases would need to increase for it to contribute to climate change mitigation. Governments and industry in the UK and abroad are aiming to increase low-carbon hydrogen supply. The UK Government will publish a Hydrogen Strategy in 2021.

New POST work: April 2021

Monday, 10 May, 2021

The POST board has approved 9 new POSTnotes. From blue carbon and genome editing, to space defense and early childhood education, find out how to contribute as an expert.

Work programme

Approved: Energy sector digitalisation

Monday, 10 May, 2021

Digital tech is increasingly used in the energy sector. This POSTnote will look at he benefits and challenges of digitalisation.
Work programme

Approved: Blue carbon

Monday, 10 May, 2021

Marine habitats hold a large amount of carbon. This POSTnote will look at how the carbon cycle might be impacted if these habitats are damaged.
Event listing

Nuclear Power in the UK

Thursday, 06 May, 2021

Exploring challenges and opportunities for nuclear power in the UK, with senior figures from the sector. Open to UK and Canadian parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and Government officials.
- Event listing
- Energy
Horizon scanning

An introduction to Research for Parliament 2021

Thursday, 29 April, 2021

Experts have helped us find 30 areas of change to help the UK Parliament prepare for the future.
Horizon scanning

Meaningful environmental and social governance reporting for net zero

Thursday, 29 April, 2021

The reporting of environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks could encourage investments that address climate change targets, but a lack of standards raises reliability concerns.
Horizon scanning

Differing approaches to reaching Net Zero: pathways and timing

Thursday, 29 April, 2021

The UK aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. While industry support for the target is growing, some argue the target must be brought forward to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
Horizon scanning

Changing consumption behaviours to meet environmental goals

Thursday, 29 April, 2021

Achieving environmental targets will involve changes in consumption at every level down to households and individuals, requiring effective measures to change consumer habits.
POSTnote

Sustainable cooling

Wednesday, 28 April, 2021

Cooling is a process used across many areas of society. It is important for buildings, industrial processes and the supply of food and medicines. It is also needed for sustainable development. Yet some cooling applications contribute to climate change and the demand for cooling is rising. This POSTnote looks at UK and global demand for cooling. It highlights ways of meeting this demand that are more sustainable than conventional practices. It also outlines technology and policy options to promote these.
Work programme

New POST work: January 2021

Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

The POST board has approved 4 new POSTnotes and POSTbriefs. Coastal management, Environmentally efficient residential building, Net zero and decarbonising construction and Remote and flexible working.
Work programme

Approved: Environmentally efficient residential buildings

Tuesday, 26 January, 2021

A POSTnote on green building will summarise the key criteria affecting the environmental performance of buildings. It will review the challenges and opportunities for improving the UK housing stock to meet likely future standards.
Event report

Event summary: Policy implications of cryosphere science for the 1.5°C target event.

Tuesday, 19 January, 2021

On 3 December, 2020 POST and the non-partisan International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI) hosted a closed briefing as one of a series of “Cryosphere 1.5°C Briefings”. These are the notes from the briefing. As this was a closed event for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff, questions and comments during the different rounds of discussion have not been attributed.
Event listing

Policy implications of cryosphere science for the 1.5°C target

Friday, 20 November, 2020

This event will brief parliamentarians on the policy implications at all levels arising from the latest science focused on cryosphere (snow and ice) regions including climate negotiations at COP 26.

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