Archived press release

Radical new energy policy needed to beat climate change

2 June 1997

The Government needs to devise a radical new energy policy if the UK is to rise to the challenge of preventing dangerous climate change according to a report [1] published by Friends of the Earth today (2/6/97). The report - Power In Balance, Energy Challenges for the 21st Century by Dr Tim Jackson - is launched today at a major conference [2] of consumer, environment, industry, finance, policy and regulatory bodies.

The report concludes that fighting climate change means hugely reducing dependence on fossil fuels, an aggressive emphasis on energy efficiency and rapid development of renewable sources of energy. The report comes at a critical moment in energy policy as the UK gears up for the introduction of competition to the domestic energy market in 1998.It states that the UK should implement policies which allow the sustainable trading of electricity from renewable energy in the liberalised market. These policies should include:

i)Tax exemptions for electricity from renewable sources outside the NFFO schemes.
ii)All electricity suppliers must be bound by law to disclose to their customers their sources of electricity and their commitment to energy efficiency.
iii)The regulators should have a duty to promote development and sales of electricity that have a reduced social and environmental impact. Further, the market should be monitored to ensure renewables are not disadvantaged by monopoly activity.
iv)A green energy accreditation scheme must be brought in to ensure that renewable energy generation projects can differentiate themselves in the market place.

Dr Patrick Green, Energy and Climate Change Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

"Climate change poses a fundamental challenge to economies based upon fossil fuels, with carbon dioxide cuts of up to 80% being required by 2050 if dangerous impacts are to be avoided. This report is a signpost towards possible solutions and a sustainable energy future."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] Copies of the report available from Friends of the Earth and at the conference
[2] Shifting the Balance of Power - Energy Liberalisation and Sustainability

[2]

[3]

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