Energy minister Malcolm Wicks officially launched a “Heat Call for Evidence” document that asks questions of, and encourages responses from, Uk firms on what renewable heat sources exist and how to “de-carbonise” heating systems. The call for evidence is issued jointly by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The document’s questions are meant to focus attention on chapter six of the Energy White Paper, published in May. Chapter six urges technological innovation in securing low-carbon renewable energy from sources such as wind, tides and waves. The need comes from recommendations in the 2006 Stern Review, by Nicholas Stern (The Economics of Climate Change). Wicks said: "We are looking for technical contributions and firm evidence of what the government needs to do to develop renewable heat such as biomass, heat pumps and biogas. Also advice on what role low-carbon electricity should play in heating and how surplus heat can be captured, transported and re-used to heat local buildings rather than going to waste.”

According to CIBSE’s online magazine, he also said that responses to this call will help the government develop policy to take to consultation this summer and set out firm plans to reach the UK's share of the European Union’s target of 20% of energy from renewables by 2020. Advice is sought also on what new incentives are needed to stimulate development of renewable heat. The deadline for responses is 31 March 2008, though earlier responses would be helpful.