Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) has found itself at the top of the class when it comes to energy efficiency.

In the People & Planet Green League, a system which ranks universities on how energy-efficient and environmentally friendly they are, MMU was sitting pretty in the number-one spot, claiming 59.5 points out of a possible 70.

Some of the factors which affected the rankings, include environmental policy, carbon management, waste recycling, transport emissions and water consumption.

MMU's Business School and Student Hub were developed in a £75 million project, and include carbon-reducing features such as a borehole heating system and rainwater recycling.

Furthermore, solar panels have been added to the All Saints campus on Oxford Road, complementing the building's green roofs.

Vice-chancellor of MMU Professor John Brooks said that the establishment is "thrilled" with its top ranking.

"We firmly believe that a strong ethos of sustainability not only strengthens the university's appeal to students but improves the experience in so many different ways," he said.

"In partnership with our students, we are working to create a sustainable university which goes beyond being carbon neutral and actually has a positive environmental impact."

MMU scored perfect marks in areas such as Environmental Policy; Environmental Management; Environmental Auditing and Management Systems, and Carbon Management. The scoring system was based on the People & Planet League's 'Policy & Performance' criteria.

Other establishments at the top of the leaderboard include the University of Plymouth and the University of Gloucestershire, scoring 59.0 points and 58.0 points respectively.

The former has recently installed a Combined Heat and Power System (CHP) to supply heat and power to at least 50 per cent of its main campus, meaning that the establishment is on track to reach its target of cutting emissions by 350 tonnes of CO2 per year.

A solar thermal array will help to provide power when the CHP system is not required.

The University of Gloucestershire, on the other hand, has been increasing its teaching and learning experiences in regards to energy efficiency.

With aims to become the UK’s first completely solar-powered home, The Solar House in Great Glen has reached a major milestone by gaining the top rating in the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP).

SAP is used by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in order to assess how residential properties perform in terms of energy efficiency.

The accreditation was achieved on the basis of the building’s low running costs and minimal environmental impact, the Harborough Mail reports.

Features of the building include solar panels, heat pumps, insulated walls and solar walls – which are able to pre-heat incoming ventilation air. The property also has an Earth Energy Bank (EEB) which stores heat collected via solar technology in the summer months, which can then be used in the winter.

According to SAP, the Solar House is just 1.2 per cent away from its zero-carbon target. However, the house is still yet to be completed, and the final construction could potentially push the scheme into the carbon negative bracket. Once the house has been finished in September it will be the first fully self-sufficient solar-powered home.

Caplin Homes are in charge of the scheme, with director Michael Goddard saying: “We’re extremely pleased with the results from this first assessment. We knew that the results would be positive but they’re actually even better than expected. We’re certainly on track to achieve our aim of a totally zero-carbon property.”

In addition to creating a landmark building, Caplin Homes is aiming to prove that more developers can take up these technologies to assist in cutting energy bills for future residents, as well as proving to be a boost for government aims for extensive carbon reduction by 2020.

“This kind of construction could not only help us achieve our carbon reduction commitment,” Mr Goddard told the Harborough Mail, “but could also set householders free from energy bills. With fuel prices continually rising, that’s an inviting prospect to any homeowner.”

Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson is set to reveal plans for the city to become the UK's first 'solar capital city'.

The group Bristol Solar City is behind the scheme, which has set out to install 1GW of photovoltaic panels in the city by 2020. It has been suggested that this will make Bristol the UK capital when it comes to solar technology.

An announcement is expected on July 21st, with the launch of a three-day solar city event. Visitors will celebrate solar energy forms and will be able to visit a 'Solar Pavilion', where they can learn about solar power and the new initiative from Bristol Solar City.

Furthermore, tips will be given about how to effectively reduce the amount of energy used in the home.

Chair of Bristol Solar City James Lancaster said: “While this may seem an ambitious task, Bristol is well placed to meet the challenge. Bristol has shown itself to be a leader in sustainability and renewable technologies; we’ve been in the top five of the UK’s Greenest Cities for the last six years and are shortlisted to be European Green Capital 2015.

"Bristol is also the sunniest of the UK’s major cities; we have a reputation for making things happen in our communities."

In the first day of the Solar City Event, businesses will be able to watch presentations from Bristol City Council, Bristol Energy Network, The National Solar Centre and West of England Local Enterprise Partnership. It is hoped that a lunch event will also help local businesses to network with leaders of the project and potentially get involved.

The following two days will be open to communities and families, who will be able to look into possibilities for community-based solar schemes, as well as domestic DIY solar projects and the potential for energy efficiency in their property.

Kerry Burns, founder of Bristol Solar City, said: “As energy prices continue to rise, generating our own clean green energy would provide energy security and economic stability as a city, as well as helping to reduce the bills for homes and businesses across the region.

"It would also reduce our collective carbon emissions by 460,000 tonnes each year, create local jobs, and develop businesses in the region and provide a lasting legacy for generations to come."

A massive solar farm project has been proposed for Houghton, near Stockbridge, which will see photovoltaics cover the equivalent of the area of 200 football pitches.

The Daily Echo reports that the project, located at Eveley Farm, will see an array of 225,456 panels. If agreed, the solar site will be the largest in the UK.

It has been estimated that the electricity generated would deliver enough to power 31,500 homes. However, manager of the project Makan Yarandi has said that all electricity will be fed back into the National Grid.

Large-scale projects like this often face the wrath of the local public, but it has been suggested that the project will remain hidden from public view.

Not only will the farm help to create a clean, renewable source of energy, which the landowner and local community will benefit from, but it will also make use of poor quality agricultural land in the area.

Land owner Danny Busk – member of the Test Valley Council – said that the land is “arable field” and the worst on the farm for cropping.

“The proposed site is extremely well hidden and is basically unproductive land and a former air strip,” he added.

If residents do hold any objections to the scheme, they will able to have their voices heard at an upcoming public meeting at Houghton Village Hall. They will also be able to ask questions to the development team, who will answer any concerns raised.

Planning has yet to go to full application, but councillors from Test Valley will be on hand at the meeting to review the proposals.

Furthermore, the site may be held back due to archaeological commitments, with Hampshire leader Roy Perry claiming that the local authority will keep this in mind when making their judgement.

“Test Valley Borough Council is the local planning authority for the solar farm and will make any planning decision.” he told the Daily Echo.

“I am confident Test Valley will take into account all environmental implications of the solar panels, as it does other sources of energy.”

A drop in UK carbon emissions was witnessed during 2011, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has revealed.

The reduction has been played down to the mild winter of 2011-12, causing a drop of seven per cent in total emissions. This drop was the biggest experienced in the European Union and almost double the EU average (3.3 per cent).

Warmer temperatures during the winter months meant that UK households were not as reliant on gas or electric heating to fend off the cold.

Furthermore, the EEA said there was more hydro-electric production during the year, in addition to nuclear power output recovering after the problems witnessed the year previously.

Cutting down on gas and electricity consumption should be a goal for all UK households and businesses, in order to reduce carbon emissions and save money on energy bills.

Accessing technology such as solar panels, insulation or solar boilers could help to significantly reduce your carbon output and save you money in the long term.

Even in winter and poor weather, panels will still be able to generate energy to help power the home – albeit at a slightly lower rate of performance.

EEA executive director Jacqueline McGlade said: “The greenhouse gas emissions cut in 2011 is good news, however, it was largely due to a warmer winter. If Europe is to achieve the transition towards a low-carbon society, it will need sustained investment in technology and innovation.”

However, environmental finance leader at Ernst & Young Ben Warren said that the UK is failing to attract renewable energy investment, following a study from the organisation. It was suggested that troubles in the eurozone and economic problems were the reasons for this.

“We are at a stage where the UK is presented with a unique opportunity to become a safe harbour for renewable energy investment in Europe. The foundations are there [but] competing visions and strategies within the government about the country’s future energy mix pose serious questions among investors about whether we can compete for capital on a global level,” he added.

The recent industry war about solar panels developed in China has taken a new turn, as the EU imposes anti-dumping levies on imports from the far-east country.

It is only a temporary move, but it has been suggested that it will help to stop the damage in competition that Chinese imports has created.

Arguments have been raised that panels developed overseas and imported are made at a lower cost, dramatically affecting the European market.

All 27 member states will be affected by the measures, set to be officially imposed on June 6th. A gradual introduction of the levy will be implemented, starting at an average of 11.8 per cent in the first instance.

However, if no deal is struck between the EU and China within two months, this is expected to increase to 47.6 per cent.

EU trade commissioner Karel De Gucht said that the price at which Chinese panels are sold in Europe should be at least 88 per cent higher, adding: "It has the potential to destroy an important industry in Europe if we don't act today."

Consumers should not be concerned about this move causing price hikes for panels in the UK, as rate for the technology have been dropping in recent years.

Furthermore, if concerns over costs are putting you off accessing the renewable energy generators, contact your local government to see if any solar panels schemes are available to help you install photovoltaics on your property at a subsidised cost.

Remember that other government initiatives such as the Green Deal and the feed-in tariff are also available to consumers to encourage access to energy efficient technologies.

At present, there is no evidence to suggest an end to the 'trade war', with China previously stating that if the levies were imposed, they would do what is necessary to defend its industry. China is currently to world's largest producer of solar, with exports to Europe totalling €21 billion (£18 billion).

With MPs set to debate the Energy Bill over the next two days, calls for MPs to accept a recommendation on the implementation of a decarbonisation target have got louder.

The Committee on Climate Change has suggested an amendment which would see electricity generators forced to remove coal-fired and gas-fired power stations from their networks by 2030.

However, this would be allowed if machinery was installed which would see carbon emissions captured on site.

As proposed by chair of the Committee on Climate Change Tim Yeo, the amendment has seen backing  from Oxfam, National Farmers Union and The Church of Scotland, as well as SSE.

It is all part of wider government plans to reduce the impact and usage of fossil fuels across the country, with recent emphasis put on renewable sources such as solar panels and wind turbines, on both a domestic and commercial scale.

The upcoming Energy Bill could make real changes that could benefit the UK energy market and the production of renewable power on these shores.

Even Sir Alan Sugar has made his voice heard on the matter, after writing in the Financial Times that the energy bill will be "aimless" without a 2030 decarbonisation target. He added that if this the case, businesses and potential investors would be left with "prolonged uncertainty" and would receive "no real commitment from the government".

Chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association Gaynor Hartnell said that this will increase investment in clean energy technologies in the UK.

"We have a legally binding carbon reduction target for 2050 and the sooner we have clarity on the path for achieving it, the better. It will boost the confidence of those who need to invest the billions of pounds required to deliver a sustainable future," she said.

Hopefully the amendment will be accepted and will lead to an even greater push towards carbon efficiency in the UK.

The UK has become one of ten countries to sign up for a brand new international Renewables Club, which will help in the global promotion of green energy.

Led by Germany, other countries which have pledged their support for the scheme include China, Denmark, France, India, Morocco, South Africa, Tonga and the United Arab Emirates.

The ten countries in the group account for providing some 40 per cent of the amount of investment in renewable technology globally.

Solar panels and wind energy are just two of the measures set to be promoted by the group, as they aim to scale up usage across the world.

A communique has now been signed by the ministers which will see renewable energy technologies rolled out more quickly. This is said to be achieved by sending strong political messages to support businesses, as well as championing the environmental benefits which are associated with the technologies' ability to produce clean and sustainable energy.

Furthermore, the club will promote how sustainable energy can provide economic benefits, as well as providing energy-efficient development opportunities in the battle against climate change.

German environment minister Peter Altmaier said: "The Renewables Club is a political initiative of pioneering countries that are united by an important goal: a worldwide transformation of the energy system."

"We in Germany do not stand alone with our Energiewende [energy transition], but are a part of a strong group of leaders," he added.

Furthermore, he said that the countries which are part of the group will lead by example and increase their output of renewable energy.

Solar panels do not necessarily have to be used on a large scale in order to make a difference, as installments on domestic properties are able to help cut carbon emissions whilst also saving money from energy bills in the process.

However, increased government involvement in the energy efficiency market is encouraging for worldwide goals. For the UK and European nations in the group especially, the scheme will help to push forward plans for a 2030 renewable energy target for the continent.

Political infighting is damaging green prospects for the UK, analysts have warned. 

The country has risen to fifth place in Ernst & Young’s latest Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices (RECAI).

However, experts have warned it is missing its chance to become the European “market of choice for investment in renewables” due to the arguments of politicians, which are slowing down the passage of much-needed reforms to the energy market. 

The improvement is mainly down to the UK’s progress in the offshore wind sector – for this it is ranked the most attractive investment destination in the world. 

According to Ernst & Young, however, delays in pushing through a stable clean energy policy framework via the Energy Bill are seeing other countries’ investment in the UK renewables sector held back. 

Ben Warren, environmental finance leader at the company, commented: "We are at a stage where the UK is presented with a unique opportunity to become a safe harbour for renewable energy investment in Europe.

"The foundations are there, reflected by the UK's consistent performance in our index and its current fifth place ranking, as well as its huge offshore wind potential. 

“However, competing visions and strategies within the government about the country's future energy mix, pose serious questions amongst investors about whether we can compete for capital on a global level."

These comments come ahead of the third reading of the government’s Energy Bill, which is set to see around £110 billion of new investment in clean energy. 

However, while the government has promised industry that progress will be made before parliament retires for summer, the Bill is likely to see debate over the introduction of one of its amendments, which calls for a 2030 power sector decarbonisation target. 

It was previously thought that the government would consider a decarbonisation target in 2016, however an amendment proposed by Conservative MP Tim Yeo and Barry Gardiner, of Labour, would see such a goal adopted from next year. 

Local families in Rochdale are receiving help to make their homes more energy-efficient.

The Kashmir Youth Project recently welcomed members of the local community to an Energy and Benefits Awareness event, which was held in partnership with the Riverside Housing Association.

Over the past year the Kashmir Youth Project has been running the Fuel Poverty Project with help from funding from the ScottishPower Energy People Trust. It received £50,000 from the trust to go towards helping almost 5,000 people in Rochdale.

The project offers up key information on how people can make their homes more energy-efficient, offering them information on advice on the benefits and support they might be entitled to. This could see more people install measures such as insulation and solar panels, which can help to drive down their energy bills – a key priority in the current difficult economic climate.

As the staff on the project are close to families in the local community, they have been able to reach out to people who may have otherwise slipped through the net.

They have also been training up local community ‘Energy Champions’ who can promote the benefits of energy-efficient homes to their neighbours and help them to be more aware of their impact on the environment.

At the events, a number of these Champions had the chance to explain how they have been able to help others when it comes to energy efficiency, as well as how taking minor steps can have an impact on energy bills and the warmth of their homes.

Naila Ilyas, Fuel Poverty Project coordinator, commented: “The long-term effects of this project are become clearer every day – with more people now able to understand what services are available to them, which makes a huge difference to the warmth of their house and their bills.

“We are proud that we can empower people to help their neighbours and those in need to make a positive impact in Rochdale.”