Research Briefing
Electricity substations, like overhead power lines and electrical appliances in the home, are sources of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields. These have given rise to health concerns and calls for protective legislation.
Research Briefing
This note introduces the debate surrounding the surface water drainage charge, or “rain tax”. Following a change in legislation, water companies are now permitted to introduce surface water drainage charge concessionary rates for community groups.
Research Briefing
Tar sands (oil sands) have potential to provide a significant fraction of future global oil demand but there are concerns, acknowledged in an EC Fuel Quality Directive, about their environmental impact, not least on greenhouse gas emissions.
Research Briefing
This note (March 2011) examines the policy and issues relating to carbon capture and storage and in particular, how it relates to coal-fired energy generation.
Research Briefing
The Government has a deadline of 30 June 2011 to set the UK's fourth carbon budget covering 2023-2027.
Research Briefing
This note updates Government schemes for funding computers in the home, and to increase internet access.
Research Briefing
This is a report on the House of Commons Committee Stage of the Energy Bill. It complements Library Research Paper 11/36 (Energy Bill) prepared for the Commons Second Reading.
Research Briefing
This note describes how hill farmers are to be rewarded for their environmental contribution, rather than compensated for difficult conditions
Research Briefing
This note summarises some reports claiming that fish are being caught at an unsustainable rate, and describes the policy response.
Research Briefing
This note looks at the role of energy from waste and incineration.
Research Briefing
A common issue raised by constituents concerns the options available for formalising a right of way. This note highlights a variety of relevant legal provisions and procedures and provides a summary timeline of the key legislative acts which have shaped the classifications of rights of way since 1949. The options available depend on how the path came to be of use in the first place and if it has any official classification on the Definitive Map for the area. The Definitive Map records all recognised rights of way.
Research Briefing
It is widely acknowledged that cyber attacks will increasingly be a key aspect of future warfare and organised crime. This note explains the increasing threat to national security posed by the new "front" of the cyber realm of networked, digital activities (often internet-based) and sets out the Government's response.
Research Briefing
This note outlines the development of EU energy policy since the Coalition Government first represented the UK at negotiations.
Research Briefing
This note sets out the current situation with regard to broadband access and coverage in the UK and provides an overview of the Government’s broadband policy. It also highlights some examples of regional and local initiatives underway to improve broadband coverage.
Total results (page 68 of 78)