New Energy Minister Michael Fallon up to his neck in emissions28 March 2013
On the day the Government appointed a new energy minister, greenhouse gas emissions are up. And our dependency on imports is also at a record high.
A huge rise in the use of coal at power stations is to blame for the increased gas emissions. Residential gas use has also gone up massively.
Carbon dioxide estimates for the residential sector in 2012 have increased by a staggering 11.8% - according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Fuel imports to the UK have risen to their highest level since 1976. It's evident that the Government must now push forward the development of safe, clean and affordable energy as a top priority.
The good news is that energy produced from renewable sources has also gone up in 2012 - but the growth is modest given the UK's overall energy consumption.
Commenting on the appointment of Michael Fallon as Energy Minister today, Friends of the Earth's Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton, said:
It's time to stop tilting at windmills - the new Minister must recognise the potential of developing Britain's substantial renewable energy resources and harvest the huge economic and environmental benefits this will bring.
Put pressure on the Government to clean up our energy.
