Tag: Energy

What kind of expertise is needed for low energy construction?

Thanks to Craig from the PCS union’s Green Forum for highlighting this paper.  It looks at the skills that are required for a serious shift to low energy construction.  It argues that a new curriculum is required for vocational training and that a low carbon future for construction requires a radical transition pathway rather than market-based solutions.  You can read or download the paper here.

BiFab shows prospects and pitfalls facing a new age of renewable energy

The second SCOT.E3 bulletin looks at BiFab, renewables and the prospects for moving towards secure employment in the fabrication sector.  You can download the bulletin (2 sides A4) here.  Or contact us to order hard copies.  The image shows page 1 of the briefing.

Briefing 2

Just Transitions – Edinburgh Premiere

Just Transition: A low carbon economy that benefits workers and communities

Just Transition is a new film from REEL News that looks how workers around the world are engaged with the struggle for a low carbon economy. The final section of the film focuses on Scotland and the recent fight by workers at BiFab to keep their jobs.

We’ll be showing the film at the Augustine Church on George 4th Bridge, 3pm Saturday 20th January.

After the film there’ll be plenty of time for discussion of the issues it raises.

Keep up to date on details of the event at https://www.facebook.com/events/1812607072365284/

Scottish Government response

Thank you for your contribution to the draft Energy Strategy consultation which closed earlier in the year.

Today we have published those consultation responses alongside the analysis report and reports of the other four consultations undertaken earlier in the year – namely:

 We have also published a further consultation on Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategies and Regulation of District Heating. This consultation has been informed by the one that closed earlier this year and contains more detailed proposals.

 As was announced by the First Minister in this year’s Programme for Government, the final Energy Strategy will be published by the end of this year. Taking account of the consultation feedback it will set out a vision for Scotland’s energy future to 2050. We will also publish our final Onshore Wind Policy Statement by the end of 2017.

 

Ineos and Fracking

Prior to the recent June general election it looked certain that a new Tory government would further ease the mineral planning regulations in order to ‘liberalise’ the exploration and extraction environment for prospective oil and/or gas shale fracturing activities. One particular beneficiary of such a move would have been the petrochemical giant Ineos which over the past two years has continued to add considerable gas and oil infrastructure and gas onshore as well as offshore deposits to its Scottish monopoly portfolio.

 However, the subsequent hung parliament has put such legislative moves on hold, although despite prevailing unfavourable market conditions outlined below, Ineos continues to lobby hard with a Scottish government ever attuned to the interests of corporate power. Brian Parkin explains.  Read the whole article here.

31192551434_199f2715b8_kImage by Pete Cannell – first session on new Scottish Parliament, licensed as CC0, Public Domain