DECC outlines plans to boost low-carbon technology development

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced measures to help the development of various low-carbon technologies on Wednesday 25 April. Energy and climate change secretary Ed Davey announced measures to encourage small- to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to develop low-carbon initiatives. The measures included: an Energy Entrepreneurs Fund of £35mn to provide SMEs with financial support; a £3mn competition designed to assess the benefits of novel compact heat storage materials; and an online funding navigator that can assist users in searching for the latest funding opportunities. Acknowledging the need for low-carbon innovation from SMEs, Davey said the initial focus would be on buildings, lighting, heat pumps, and ventilation technologies.
This was followed up by an announcement from Energy and climate change minister Greg Barker on Wednesday 25 April that the UK will support the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in emerging markets. The UK will be contributing £60mn towards the £200mn international target, set by The Carbon Capture, Use and Storage Action Group, which aims to accelerate the near-term deployment of CCS. Barker said he hoped the move would encourage deployment "in developing as well as developed countries", and stressed the need for "new partnerships" and "capacity building activities" in emerging markets.
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