To help you keep up to date with this week’s events we’ve gathered together some of the top energy related news stories. You can follow us on Twitter too.

Climate change promises aren’t enough

A report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has concluded that climate pledges to limit carbon emissions will still see a rise in temperature of up to 4°C this century. This has highlighted a discrepancy between science and political policy which could have a catastrophic effect.

This report comes as 2010 is predicted to be the hottest year since 1850.

Sadly this temperature rise, attributed to global warming, is not a one off with a recorded increase of 0.8°C from preindustrial levels. As the Cancun Climate Change talks loom next week, issues such as these only become more pertinent. 

WWF award UK an ‘E’ grade for contribution to climate change targets

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has rated EU countries from A-G (best to worst) for their efforts to meet climate change targets. This data indicates that the UK is currently only committing to a third of what is necessary in order to meet the proposed 80% cut in carbon emissions by 2050. Despite praise being delivered for the planning of further wind farm developments, the data highlights the UK as falling behind the likes of Ireland, Denmark and Germany.

Community energy online launch

Climate Change Minister Greg Barker has launched a new website from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) designed to help communities wanting to generate their own energy. ‘Community energy online’, will offer varied advice on all things community renewable, from how to select an appropriate technology to how to access finance. Good Energy thinks this is a great facility that will encourage community development and ensure Britain as a whole and its localities can be as self sufficient as possible.

Read the story of Good Energy customer Goodrich Village Hall in Hereford,which is already generating 100% renewable electricity here. 

Energy firms face gas and electricity price review

Electricity and gas industry regulator Ofgem is to investigate recent energy price rises as it says they have significantly widened suppliers' profit margins. The regulator said it was asking if "companies are playing it straight with consumers”.

Taking into account recent price rises announced by three of the “big six” suppliers, the watchdog said that the net profit margin of £65 per typical customer in September was now £90, a 38% rise.

Research shows that many consumers don’t trust UK energy companies so Good Energy welcomes anything that helps improve this situation. We try and make as many of our activities as transparent as possible through the publication of our annual values report.

Celebrities call for Cancun to make history

There have been appeals about climate change politics from governments, politicians, business leaders and now celebrities. In a letter to the Guardian, famous faces such as Ian McEwan, writer of sardonic climate change novel Solar, and actors Scarlett Johansson, Bill Nighy and Kristin Davis all express a wish for ministers to ‘do better’ at the Cancun Climate Change Summit and to ‘do it fast’.

The ten day ministerial talks will start on the 29 November 2010.

And finally...

Good Energy hit a significant milestone this week. We signed up our 1000th Feed-in Tariff customer. It was the Perry's who installed a 2.5kWp solar PV array on the roof of their home in Bristol. We thought we'd get in touch with them to see what they had to say about it.

"What an unusual and pleasant surprise! Over the last few years we have been doing what we can to have a more sustainable lifestyle including installing a smoke free zone approved wood burning stove and replacing a 30 year old gas boiler with a fuel efficient one. Installing PV panels was part of this, and it seemed wholly appropriate to also transfer to Good Energy. We hope you get many more sign-ups!"

The Perry's panels "are estimated to generate between 1800 and 2000kW in a year, which coincidentally, is about what we actually used last year," says Steve. "Apart from the obvious environmental benefits of microgeneration, we thought it made economic sense as well with an estimated capital payback time of 10-12 years, and an annual "cash back" equation, which will be significantly more than we pay for both our electricity and gas."

For information on how you can start generating your own electricity click here.