On Energydesk this week
IPCC report - what does it mean for the arctic
Climate change is happening and its almost certainly man made, that's the conclusion of the latest IPCC report on global warming.
But the report also looked at where climate change is happening now and few places, the authors concluded, are being as dramatically affected as the Arctic.
The story is also reported by Carbon Brief (extensively) who produced six graphs that explain how the climate is changing.
If you only read three stories
1) Environment minister lists the advantages of global warming
"Remember that for humans," says human Environment secretary, Owen Paterson, "the biggest cause of death is cold in winter, far bigger than heat in summer. It [climate change] would also lead to longer growing seasons and you could extend growing a little further north into some of the colder areas."
It comes as the chancellor, George Osborne, warned that the UK should "not be in front of the rest of the world" on climate change - less we push industry to other countries with lower energy bills.
2) Firms look to delay efficiency scheme
The big energy companies are reportedly close to a deal with the government to delay the implementation of a scheme designed to cut energy use in households. The mandatory scheme would force energy companies to reduce emissions by around 10% through installing energy efficiency schemes unlikely to be cost effective through the government's green deal. However companies and the government disagree over the cost of the programme - including how much it would add to bills.
The news comes as Labour says it will abolish the ECO scheme and Green Deal altogether replacing it with a new programme to achieve the same thing.
Guardian Infographic: How hot will it get in my lifetime
Brilliantly clear infographic from The Guardian, put in your date of birth and it will tell you where temperatures will get to within your lifetime (depending if there is action on climate change or not of course).
UK
Ikea to sell solar panels in UK stores
The world's biggest furniture retailer, is to sell solar panels at its British stores, the first time it has offered the devices and marking an attempt to tap growth in the heavily subsidised green energy market.
Energy companies could push up prices ahead of freeze
The Guardian suggests energy firms will be tempted to hike prices ahead of an election - in case Labour wins and orders a price freeze. The Guardian's Niles Pratley argues the policy is, at present, little more than a sketch. The Economist argues Ed Miliband's scheme will hinder investment and may put up bills.
Osborne criticised for failing to offer green investors certainty
“The UK has the potential to offer a safe harbour for renewable energy investors in Europe, but the delay in delivering a stable policy framework is weakening our prospects and holding back investment,” said Ben Warren, a partner at EY – formerly Ernst & Young – which is also part of the group.
Energy supplier promises "frack-free" gas
The promise, by clean energy firm ecotricity is presumably designed to pick up customers annoyed by British Gas's entry into UK onshore oil and gas exploration.
International
German energy firms call for 'cap' on renewables
German energy firms, struggling against the impact of increasing renewables on the grid, have called for total reform of Germany's energy subsidies and a cap on subsidies for renewables.
The move coincides with a plan from the German government to delay EU car efficiency standards by four years.
BP rejected plan which could have stopped spill earlier
The firm's legal opponents say the company wanted to avoid revealing the scale of the spill.
Turkey up's fracking
The country - which imports almost all of it's oil and gas - is reported to have 1.6 trn feet of shale gas reserves.
China offers tax rebates for solar manufacturers
China has offered tax rebates to manufacturers of solar power products in an attempt to prop up the struggling sector and also cut pollution levels.Manufacturers will be refunded 50% of the value added tax from 1 October 2013 to 31 December 2015, the state-owned Xinhua news agency has reported.
Free polish CO2 permits to halve this year
The change could significantly increase the cost of Poland's predominantly coal power as the country moves towards hosting the next round of climate change talks in November.
Business Green thinks there is a future beyond the somewhat bedeviled desertec project. Think tank E3G are looking at the potential of Norsetec, or the North Sea Offshore Grid.
