Chris Huhne - still much to prove

It's a classic trick: compare yourself to the Tory rightwing press to make yourself look progressive. That's how Energy Secretary Chris Huhne started his speech to Liberal Democrat conference today. It's all part of the Liberal Democrats differentiation efforts - making the case that Government is greener and more just because they are Coalition partners.

So is the Government greener thanks to the Lib Dems? And what did Chris Huhne tell conference?

We think the Lib Dem record in their first 500 days isn't great - especially given the focus on the environment before the election.

Rather than standing up for the planet, Lib Dem Ministers have frequently sided with their Conservative colleagues and championed the interests of destructive business activities over the planet (for example, Vince Cable fighting against deep emissions cuts by 2025, or Andrew Stunnell standing aside whilst Eric Pickles introduces a build anywhere free for all).

So how did the Energy Secretary respond today?

Huhne had a pop at the Big Six energy companies saying that "predatory pricing... must and will stop" and that he was "determined to get tough with the big six energy companies to ensure that the consumer gets the best possible deal".

I think Chris Huhne is right to target the 'big six', but his fighting talk must be matched with bold action to slash energy waste and cut our dependency on expensive fossil fuels.

"In one generation we will go from fossil fuel smokestack to low carbon cash back" continued Huhne  (in a phrase that you can imaging the speech-writers high-fiving) adding that "cutting carbon is not a luxury to be ditched when the going gets tough".

It's good, ambitious stuff. But what of the policy behind it?

Sadly, the energy secretary's announcement that the upcoming Electricity Market Reform will ensure "three quarters of our electricity comes from low carbon sources by 2030" belies that ambition: the independent Committee on Climate Change has recommended  that our electricity supply should be 'lmost entirely decarbonised by that date. "Three quarters" doesn't quite cut it.

The Green Deal - their flagship energy efficiency project - sounds okay on paper but may yet be undone by unattractive interest rates for householders.

And what of support for fuel poor households? Huhne said the Government is "boosting by two-thirds the discounts to help people in fuel poverty". He is referring to the Warm Homes Discount, a new scheme which will total £250m in 2012. It replaces the current £150m of voluntary social tariffs - so yes, a two thirds increase (albeit one that is switching to taxpayer coffers from energy bills).

But - and it's a big but - this does not represent the complete picture of measures aimed at tackling fuel poverty.

Warm Front, the well established £350m grants programme for insulation for people on benefits, has been slashed by two thirds and will be phased out entirely by 2013. And last October's comprehensive spending review saw winter fuel payments to the elderly cut back by £100 (£400-£300 for the over 80s).

So while it's heartening to know that Chris Huhne understands the challenges of tackling climate change and ending fuel poverty, it's clear that he and his party still have a lot to do to prove their green credentials in office.