Category: Climate & energy

£100 towards energy bills from January 2027. Who will get the payment and how to receive it

The government will pay £100 towards energy bills to homes in Council Tax bands A–D in England. The money will arrive from January 2027. If you pay Council Tax by Direct Debit, you do not need to do anything. Only your council may ask you about the payment. Homes outside these bands may get help from their council.

710,000 heat deaths in a single year. 146 experts: climate change is a health emergency

A new Lancet Countdown report calls for climate change to be recognised as a global health emergency. In 2023 about 710,000 people died because of heat, and lost labour productivity cost about $1.07 trillion in 2025. Construction and farm workers are the most exposed.

Gas standing charges to go. Chancellor Healey: from 2027 the cost will move into the price per kWh, with 60% of homes saving £45 a year on average

Ahead of today’s Budget, Chancellor John Healey announced the abolition of the daily standing charge on household gas bills. Ofgem is to introduce the change in 2027. According to the government, 60% of households will save £45 a year on average, but some homes will not see an automatic saving.

Cheaper and even interest-free loans for solar panels and heat pumps. Government launches the Warm Homes Loan Scheme

The Government has launched the Warm Homes Loan Scheme: cheaper loans for solar panels, batteries and heat pumps across the UK. Rates are to be up to 5 points lower, some offers are interest-free, and amounts range from £7,500 to £35,000 depending on the technology.

Gas from Belgium for freezing days. Ofgem wants to keep imports, and the cost – about £1.19 a year – will go on bills

Ofgem has agreed that the gas pipeline linking the UK with Belgium should keep its import capacity for cold winters. The cost, about £1.19 a year for five years, will be paid only by gas customers. The consultation runs until 20 November 2026, and no final decision has yet been taken.

COP31 in Antalya from 9 November. The climate summit in Turkey: what it means for UK businesses

From 9 to 20 November Antalya will host the UN climate summit COP31 – the first in Turkey. It is chaired by Turkish minister Murat Kurum, with negotiations led by Australia’s Chris Bowen. For UK businesses it is a year of opportunities in green finance and ESG reporting.

Energy bills may rise by 9% in January. Forecast: £1,999 a year for a typical home

From 1 October Ofgem’s energy price cap is £1,723 a year for a typical home. Cornwall Insight forecasts that from January 2027 it will rise to about £1,999, or 9%. The reason: more expensive gas after the US–Iran conflict and low gas stocks in Europe.

Supporting technology on the road to sustainability

Helping businesses reach carbon neutrality by 2030. Techies Go Green and the social role of artificial intelligence.

Clean-energy investment and the challenge of fair local benefits

The relationship between national goals and local communities cannot be assumed.

Climate policy is becoming industrial policy: the balance-sheet view

Energy systems, trade and technology are reshaping the vocabulary of climate economics.