Archived press release

Go to our press releases area for our current press releases.

New green energy projects will help fight climate change

19 October 1998

Friends of the Earth welcomed today's announcement by the DTI of over 200 renewable energy projects across England and Wales. The green energy schemes will help the UK meet its targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time boost local economies and create jobs [1]. Projects include large and small wind farms, landfill gas and hydro-electric schemes. Waste incineration projects have also been included, although FOE does not support these [2].

FOE urged local communities and planning authorities to recognise the environmental benefit of renewable energy and support appropriate projects through the planning process.

Anna Stanford of Friends of the Earth said:

"The UK has a huge supply of clean, green energy just waiting to be tapped.These projects will help us meet the UK's targets for fighting climate change. But many sensitively-developed projects are failing to get planning permission.

We can all play our part in cutting pollution by supporting good quality projects in our area. Opinion polls continue to show that renewable energy sources,such as wind farms, are popular. All parts of the country have a responsibility to contribute to the development of green energy for the next Millenium."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] The DTI has published details of which companies have been awarded contracts to sell electricity from renewable energy projects under the Fifth Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation(NFFO) to their local Public Electricity Suppliers.
[2] The decision to support incineration through the NFFO scheme is "nonsensical" and,in Friends of the Earth's opinion, based on a lack of understanding of how to manage waste to reduce greenhouse gases. A recent comprehensive report by the United States Environmental Protection Agency shows that in greenhouse gas terms recycling is significantly better than both incineration and landfill; landfill is better than incineration for materials such as newspapers and plastic. [Ref: Greenhouse gas emissions from management of selected materials in municipal solid waste, final report, September 1998,U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]
[3] Planning for Wind Power: Guidelines for Project Developers and Local Planners(March 1995) - available from Friends of the Earth.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust

Last modified: Jul 2008