Taking place in Azerbaijan from 11^th to 22^nd November, the 29^th annual Conference of the Parties (COP29) is a vast gathering of government representatives and climate experts. Negotiations take place over two weeks each year, and decisions are made on the best approaches to tackling the causes and consequences of climate change.

Around 50,000 delegates are attending COP29, alongside high-profile attendees including UN secretary general Antonio Guterres, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Sultan Al Jaber, and World Bank president Ajay Banga.

However, there will also be seats left empty at the highest tables: President Emmanuel Macron, Premier Xi Jinping, President Joe Biden, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India are all not attending. This leaves four of the top 10 largest economies, and largest carbon emitters, absent from this year’s proceedings.

Nevertheless, discussions are ongoing, particularly around ‘climate finance’. The United Nations defines climate finance as finance for activities supporting action on climate change mitigation and adaptation. With extreme weather events brought on by unprecedented global temperature spikes, smaller nations and developing countries have never been more vulnerable to the dangers of climate change.

These countries want to see climate finance total over $1 trillion a year by 2030, which will require a vast increase in investment and a full restructuring of how the finance is delivered.

The week has not been without controversy, either. Proceedings launched with a fiery speech from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who raved about oil and gas, and by Day 3 Argentina’s entire delegation had been forcibly withdrawn by their far-right President Javier Milei. Tensions are high, and concerns are mounting about the ability of this year’s COP to deliver meaningful change.

The post ‘Make polluters pay’: What happened at the first week of COP29? appeared first on Community Windpower.

Taking office in January 2025, Donald Trump will once again have the power to remove the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement and rubber-stamp a flurry of oil and gas drilling. Having already spent four years in the White House, from 2017 to 2021, Trump will be able to set off on the front foot, with climate experts fearing a “far more methodical second presidency”. And, with the two-term presidential limit in the United States, Trump won’t be burdened with the realities of re-election. Instead, he can be aggressive with his domestic and international agendas, acting almost with impunity.

Also in his sightline is Biden’s flagship Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a $370 billion uplift supporting clean energy; repealing the IRA is reported to be a “prized target” for Trump. However, analysis has shown that Republican congressional districts, in states such as North Carolina, Georgia and Nevada, have benefitted most from the IRA’s employment growth and clean energy investments. If Trump attempts to drive away this deep-rooted investment, he may face widespread opposition from his own party.

Despite the initial shock at Donald Trump’s win, there is hope among some experts. Gina McCarthy, former climate adviser to Joe Biden, said: “The shift to clean energy is unstoppable and our country is not turning back. We cannot and will not let Trump stand in the way of giving our kids and grandkids the freedom to grow up in safer and healthier communities.”

The post What does a Trump election win mean for our climate? appeared first on Community Windpower.

Underpinning the Chancellor’s strategy are seven “key pillars”:

• 1. Restore economic stability

• 2. Increase investment

• 3. Ensure all areas of the UK realise their potential

• 4. Improve employment prospects

• 5. Launch a long-term, modern industrial strategy

• 6. Drive innovation

And, most importantly for us:

• 7. Maximise the growth benefits of our clean energy mission

As the Labour Party takes their seat as the ruling Government for the first time since 2010, they have a particularly sizeable task to face: achieving their Clean Power by 2030 target. This will require significant public and private investment, planning system reform, and deep-rooted stakeholder cooperation.

The Chancellor confirmed a £2bn boost for 11 new green hydrogen projects, £125m to kickstart the creation of GB Energy, and the removal of the 29% investment allowance for oil and gas companies, a move which will ensure fossil fuel developers contribute more fairly to the energy transition. The Chancellor has also promised £70bn through the National Wealth Fund to “invest in the industries of the future”, and £3.4bn for the Warm Homes Plan for 2025/26 – 2027/28 for heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency.

The post The key takeaways from Labour’s Autumn Budget appeared first on Community Windpower.

In 2023, we secured planning consent for our groundbreaking Sanquhar II project, which, at 308 megawatts, will effectively double our portfolio capacity. Additionally, our Scoop Hill Wind Farm, currently in planning in Dumfries and Galloway, promises to deliver 432 megawatts while preventing over 700,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions and establishing a community investment fund exceeding £2 million annually.

This decade has also seen the establishment of strategic partnerships through innovative Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs) with Nestlé, Waitrose, and Edrington Distilleries. These agreements empower businesses to source renewable electricity directly, enhancing their sustainability efforts as they strive for net-zero emissions.

Rod Wood, Managing Director of Foxglove Energy Supply Ltd , remarked: “We are delighted to be featured in this inaugural ranking. This recognition for consistent growth comes after our inclusion in the 2017 FT Top 1000, celebrating rapid expansion. Despite economic fluctuations, we have remained committed to advancing the renewable energy industry. As we explore new technologies like battery storage and solar, Foxglove Energy Supply Ltd is excited to build on our legacy.”

View the full ranking here.

The post Foxglove Energy Supply Ltd recognised as a Long-Term Growth Champion in Europe appeared first on Community Windpower.

The two-year agreement with between Foxglove Energy Supply Ltd and SSE Energy Markets covers the 48MW Aikengall 1 Wind Farm in East Lothian.

Under the structure of the agreement, SSE Energy Markets will optimise the asset on behalf of Foxglove Energy Supply Ltd , ensuring that Foxglove Energy Supply Ltd is able to capture market reflective prices while not being fully exposed to market fluctuations.

Additionally, SSE Energy Markets will manage the power and associated environmental certificates (REGOs).

Aikengall 1 consists of 16 turbines and became operational in 2009.

Gordon Bell, Managing Director of SSE Energy Markets, said: “Within SSE Energy Markets we have a growing focus on delivering best-in-class route to market services and bringing an independent value add to the Group.

“This agreement with Foxglove Energy Supply Ltd is a clear example of our approach, with a flexible structured route-to-market PPA designed to best meet the generator’s requirements.

“We look forward to working with Foxglove Energy Supply Ltd to optimise the wind farm at Aikengall, bringing our expertise to these important assets.”

Rod Wood, Managing Director of Foxglove Energy Supply Ltd , said: “SSE Energy Markets is one of the biggest names in the electricity market and their offer here was compelling, so it made perfect sense for us to diversify our customer base by placing the PPA for one of our biggest wind farms with SSE Energy Markets.

“The depth of knowledge within their delivery team made completing the transaction incredibly easy, and we are very much looking forward to building this relationship over the years to come.”

The post Foxglove Energy Supply Ltd agrees trading PPA for Aikengall appeared first on Community Windpower.

Slowly but surely, coal has been nudged out of the energy mix. The UK enjoyed its first ‘coal-free day’ in April 2017, followed by 67 continuous coal-free days in 2020, and 288 consecutive coal-free hours in August 2024 alone.

In 2015, the UK Government announced that, by 2025, the 14 remaining coal plants would be decommissioned; these included Aberthaw and Uskmouth in Wales, Longannet and Cockenzie in Scotland, and West Burton, Cottam, Fiddler’s Ferry, and Kingsnorth in England. Once profitable, a tax on carbon dioxide emissions had rendered these power plants uneconomical. The closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant delivers the coup de grâce for the world’s most polluting fossil fuel.

The UK is the first G7 nation to achieve this coal-free milestone, facilitated largely by a rapid expansion of renewable energy technologies. With a legally-binding goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, eradicating coal from our energy mix is a strong step in the right direction. Lord Deben, former chair of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) said: “King Coal is dead. Long live his clean successors. This is the day we finally recognise that we can have power without it costing the Earth.”

A selection of the sites which, by nature, occupy large areas of land, are ripe for green redevelopment. There is already a masterplan for the Ratcliffe-on-Soar site, for example, with ambitions for a green energy hub that may create 8,000 local jobs and millions per annum in economic growth.

Read the full article here.

The post UK closes last coal plant, ending 142 years of coal reliance  appeared first on Community Windpower.

Environmental campaigners Friends of the Earth (FoE) and South Lakes Action on Climate Change (SLACC) celebrated the “huge victory”, citing “cutting edge evidence” as fundamental to their win. Their legal challenge against the coal mine centred on the assertion that “greenhouse gas emissions from burning the coal should have been factored in before the project was green-lit”.

The news comes as the UK toasts its greenest summer ever, where over 80% of our electricity came from renewables and August boasted 288 consecutive coal free hours. Niall Toru, senior lawyer for FoE, said: “The case against it is overwhelming; it would have huge climate impacts, its coal isn’t needed and it harms the UK’s international reputation on climate”.

This isn’t the final hurdle for the campaigners, however. Unless the developers of the coal mine fully withdraw the planning application, the plans must be revisited; this may result in the planning inquiry being reopened, which is something that the campaigners hope to avoid.

To view the High Court decision, please visit here. Click here to read the full article from the BBC.

The post Plans for Whitehaven coal mine quashed by High Court appeared first on Community Windpower.

Community Windpower has rebranded to Foxglove Energy Supply Ltd .

This is to reflect the expansion of our core business from onshore wind to developing and operating renewable energy assets including solar, storage and green hydrogen manufacturing. In the UK we have a development pipeline exceeding 3 GW across these disciplines.

Rod Wood, Managing Director, said: “Foxglove Energy Supply Ltd has been growing and evolving since 2001, and our new identity reflects our leading vision within the renewable energy industry and our determination to play our part in supporting the UK and Scotland’s transition to a Green energy economy and delivering net zero grid by 2030. We remain a leading clean energy investor in UK with particular emphasis on creating local jobs for UK and Scottish companies, whilst remaining staunchly supportive of our local communities backing local initiatives with funding and support.”

The post Introducing Foxglove Energy Supply Ltd appeared first on Community Windpower.

The new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, rounded off his exultant victory speech by stating that the UK now has the opportunity to “get its future back”. But what will this future look like? What can the Labour Party do over the next 100 days and weeks to stimulate investment, prioritise growth, and get the UK back on track with net zero?

Labour’s mandate is strong, giving them the green-light to act boldly on social, economic, and environmental matters. Not only did Labour win more than 400 seats, but they also unseated multiple senior Tory MPs including Penny Mordaunt, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Grant Shapps, and former Prime Minister Liz Truss. The UK electoral system proved frustrating for Reform UK who, despite garnering over 4 million votes, managed to translate that into only 4 seats.

The Liberal Democrats and the Green Party, however, have seen huge improvements. Overnight, the Greens quadrupled their presence in Parliament, securing 4 seats, and the Lib Dems secured over 70 seats, citing an imaginative campaign strategy and a crumbling Conservative vote as their reasons for success. Both parties have promised to hold the new government to account, particularly on issues such as housing and the environment.

Starmer’s election manifesto, titled ‘Change’, highlights his key focuses:

• Build an NHS fit for the future, with 40,000 more appointments every year and 8,500 additional mental health staff
• Commit to NATO, international development, and trade agreements
• Close tax loopholes to fund investment in public services

And, on the topic of making Britain a clean energy superpower:

• Enact a time-limited windfall tax on oil and gas giants, funding a Warm Homes Plan
• Establish Great British Energy, a publicly-owned company, aiming to invite communities to come forwards with their own projects
• Make British business competitive again, to mobilise private investment and accelerate net zero

These are admirable aims, but success requires decisive action.

Mike Childs, Head of Policy at Friends of the Earth, urged: “It couldn’t be more imperative that the new government makes the environment a top priority.” Others are prompting the incoming government to develop a “clear roadmap” to net zero, with a detailed climate plan setting out the path to 2050. Labour must focus on planning reform, too, to unravel grid delays and unleash renewable energy development.

Principally, the Greens’ strong showing should indicate to Labour that the environment has very much taken a top spot on the public agenda.

The post “Starmer tsunami” – what the general election results mean for the UK appeared first on Community Windpower.

The volunteers and members at Dunbar Shed are particularly skilled at wood carving, with their creations proving popular with members of the public. They craft a range of goodies, including candle holders, egg cups, and beautiful bird houses. The Shed aims to promote people’s well-being and mental health, by fostering a sense of community and inclusion. CWL provided a direct donation of £750 to support the running costs of Dunbar Shed, which include rent, electricity, insurance, and materials.

Diane Wood, Community Benefits Director at Community Windpower, said: “We are delighted to support Dunbar Shed, and we admire their commitment to well-being and inclusion. The Shed gives people a place to chat, complete personal projects, and learn new skills from others. We look forward to seeing what lovely items they produce next.”

The post CWL direct donation supports Dunbar Shed appeared first on Community Windpower.

Fundraising has been taking place throughout the year and the teams have already raised an impressive amount, which goes up by the day. Our donation of £2,500 will support various aspects of the event which will mean all money raised will go straight to the fundraising pot to help beat cancer. Over the last 2 years the event has raised over a whopping £150,000!

The relay boasted over two hundred people signed up that will walked day and night to symbolize that whilst cancer never sleeps, by acting together, we can make a stand against it. A whole host of activities took place on the day – stalls, cake sales, themed laps, music, dance performances, bands, discos and so much more. The start of the relay was marked with the survivor’s lap, which is a way for survivors, families & carers to remember their journey. And an incredibly special part of the event is the Candle of Hope Ceremony, which is time to take a moment or two out of the busyness of the day to reflect on your experiences.

Anouska Woods, Community Coordinator at BeGreen Dunbar, has said: “We are immensely proud to be a main sponsor of this year’s Relay for Life Dunbar. Having been involved through sponsoring and doing the walk personally over the last two years, it is such an amazing event to be part of on so many levels. To watch everyone come together to beat cancer and raise funds is so inspirational. Everyone has a story to tell and are a huge support of each other.”You can find out more about the relay here Relay For Life Dunbar 2024 | Cancer Research UK.

The post CWL sponsors Relay for Life Dunbar for 3rd year in a row appeared first on Community Windpower.