End subsidies for palm oil power
25 January 2010

Biofuel power stations are propped up by the Government. But all they really power is deforestation and climate change.

The UK government subsidises power stations that burn biofuels - claiming it's "renewable energy".

But forest is cleared from South-East Asia to Latin America to make way for biofuel crops like oil palm and soy.

This means millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions are released and indigenous people get kicked off their land.

Easy money

Owners of these power stations don't have to prove they're green to get their cash. Generous subsidies - Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) - are dished out no questions asked.

Now we're seeing planning applications for new power stations cropping up throughout the UK.

Breaking EU rules

These owners aren't just failing to be green. EU rules say biofuels have to meet emissions reductions standards - and palm oil doesn't make the grade.

Take action

Tell Chris Huhne to stop these climate-trashing subsidies.

Email the Secretary of State

Dear Secretary of State,

I am aware that UK power stations burning biofuels receive generous subsidies in the form of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs). As no proof of sustainability is required from operators, these subsidies have encouraged a wave of new planning applications. The expansion of crops like oil palm and soya drive deforestation in producer countries. The result is an increase in greenhouse gas emissions rather than a reduction. Palm and soy biofuel also fail to meet the minimum standards for emissions savings under the EU Renewable Energy Directive. I am very concerned about the highly damaging social and environmental consequences of the expansion of these crops. Please suspend subsidies in the form of ROCs for power stations burning biofuels.

You can contact me by email (preferably - to save resources) or at the following address:

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End subsidies for palm oil power25 January 2010

Easy money

Breaking EU rules

Take action

Email the Secretary of State

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End subsidies for palm oil power
25 January 2010