Climate change is arguably the largest problem facing the world – now and into the future. We know how difficult it can be achieving sustainable development, and our track record in policy development and advice relating to climate change, environmental technologies and energy policy can help you find a way to understand and face these challenges.
From policy advice and evaluation of Europe-wide programmes to advice to individual local authorities, our expertise includes research, statistical analysis skills and project and programme evaluation at a European, national, regional and sub regional scale.
We have recently produced two brochures which are available to download from our publications page. The first brochure entitled Energy & Climate Change illustrates the range and diversity of the areas in which we operate and the second brochure focuses specifically on the low carbon skills area.
Key Themes
We provide research and consultancy across a wide range of low carbon, climate change, energy and environmental issues. We have been active in this area since the company started in the 1980s and have seen an increase in demand for our services caused by a surge in policy activity in line with the increasing mainstreaming of the issues and the urgency to act. Some of the key themes we cover are:
- Low carbon economy: the sector is currently experiencing major growth which is expected to continue and accelerate in the coming years.
- Renewable and low carbon energy: UK and global energy supply will continue to undergo a major transformation with efforts to deliver clean, secure and competitively priced energy.
- Legislation and policy design: the increasing urgency to act to counter climate means legislation and policies designed to force and encourage a move to a low carbon economy are increasing in number and scope.
- Business advice schemes: all businesses will need to act to mitigate their impacts and adapt to the potential and already inevitable effects of climate change.
- Low carbon innovation: there is an increasing need to support innovation in goods and services to enable the low carbon transition.
- Low carbon skills: the current and future workforce needs new and adapted skill sets in order for the economy to evolve towards a low carbon future.
Services & Products
We offer a wide range of consultancy and research skills tailored to meet the needs of our clients. Many projects require a blend of the following services:
- Evaluations: we have a wealth of experience in the design, monitoring and assessment of low carbon policies, projects and measures, particularly business advice and innovation support schemes.
- Statistics and indicators: we have a long track record in the formulation, analysis and presentation of data relating to energy use and sustainable development.
- Impact assessments: we are able to measure and assess the full impacts (economic, social and environmental) of policies, legislation and developments.
- Feasibility Studies: we have examined the feasibility of a diverse range of policies and technologies designed to promote the transition to a low carbon economy.
- Sector studies: our track record includes many examples of work assessing sector and market size and growth and identifying the key opportunities and threats from the transition to a low carbon economy.
Case Studies
West Midlands Energy Strategy - Advantage West Midlands and other regional partners
In this project we assisted a consortium (AWM, WM Regional Assembly, Government Office) to develop an energy strategy and regional actions to contribute to meeting national targets for tackling climate change. Click here to read the full report.
European Commission DG Environment – Eco Industries Analysis
Ecotec prepared a series of groundbreaking reports for the European Commission on the employment benefits of Eco Industries. This work illustrated the scale and growth potential of this industry through the collection of a substantial evidence base of employment and added value data across the EU. Click here to read the full report
Ex-Post Evaluation of DG TREN Non Nuclear Energy Projects under FP5
Working for the European Commission we reviewed over 300 non-nuclear energy projects supported by DG Transport and Energy under the fifth framework programme. These research and development projects aim to improve the efficiency of conventional energy conversion and to increase the use of renewable energy resources.
As well as detailed profiles of over 50 projects across Europe, we also reviewed the efficiency and effectiveness of the programme as a whole. This involved surveys of all the recipients of funding as well as interviews with energy stakeholders. Click here to read the full report..
