NEWS | DIGEST Net-zero transition can deliver 90bn boost A report commissioned by WWF has predicted that the transition to a net-zero economy will give a 90bn annual boost to the UK in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. It also says that investing in the countrys net-zero carbon target will improve public health and create much-needed employment: at least 210,000 jobs by 2030 and 351,000 by 2050, in sectors including the built environment. Green buildings would require 85,000 new jobs by 2030, with the heating and cooling sectors set to expand by a further 7,000 skilled positions. WWF has urged the government to make sure its spending and taxation regimes are aligned with the 2050 net-zero target, adding that this will lead to improved air quality and better-quality green spaces. Investing in a green recovery is the only way forward the economic benefits will far outweigh the costs, said WWF climate change specialist Isabella ODowd. The pandemic has shown we need to build resilience to future crises, and we need to prepare ourselves and our economy for the big climate challenges ahead. Britain goes coal free Covid-19 lockdown partly explains the 13% fall in demand for electricity The UK burned no coal to produce electricity for two months up to early June the longest period since the Industrial Revolution, according to the National Grid. This has partly been attributed to the coronavirus lockdown, with national demand almost 13% lower than normal, which allowed National Grid to switch off its four coal-fired power plants from 9 April. Many experts now say the UK is close to dispensing with coal permanently. Yet another record-breaking coal-free run highlights the fuel is simply not needed in a modern energy system, said Energy and Climate Change Intelligence Unit analyst Jess Ralston. At the same time, the surge in renewable generation and extensive plans to expand the nations fleet of cheap and clean energy sources show that there will only be one direction from here. Researchers from Carbon Brief said renewables have been responsible for 37% of electricity generated so far this year, compared with 35% from fossil fuels. Nuclear and imported energy accounted for the rest. REGISTER FREE AT: bit.ly/pumpboosting TO JOIN OUR LIVE WEBINAR Get your pump boosting projects under control Thursday 2nd July, 13:00 (BST) SIBLING HARMONY: Using Generators with UPS FREE CPD ACCREDITED WEBINAR AVAILABLE NOW ON DEMAND Brought to you by: bit.ly/cibsewebinars Brought to you by: 8 July 2020 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE July20 pp08-09 News.indd 8 19/06/2020 16:46