Archived press release

Appliances on standby fuel climate change

23 June 2005

One million tonnes of greenhouse gases are pumped into the atmosphere every year by appliances left on standby in the UK, the Government has admitted [1]. The energy used is equivalent to powering around 600,000 homes every year [2], and is a significant contribution to UK emissions of climate changing gases. Friends of the Earth is calling for the urgent introduction of tough new rules to prevent appliances being left on standby as part of the battle to combat global warming.

Energy waste by products left on standby is a global problem. According to a leaked draft G8 communique: "across the G8, standby power consumes the equivalent of the output of 24 full-scale power stations". But this passage has been removed from a subsequent draft [3].

Friends of the Earth climate campaigner Martyn Williams said:

"It is ludicrous that so much energy is being wasted by appliances left on standby. This is making a significant and unnecessary contribution to global warming. Tough new rules are urgently needed to stop this waste of energy. Climate change is the biggest threat the planet faces. It's time to get serious about tackling the problem. If we can agree rules to make toys safe to stop children injuring themselves, why can't we have rules that stop TV's harming our climate?"

Friends of the Earth's new climate campaign, The Big Ask, includes a call for a new climate change law to force the Government to take responsibility for the UK's contribution to global warming by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by three per cent every year [4].

Martyn Williams said

"The UK is failing to tackle climate change. Emissions are rising and Government targets are unlikely to be met. That is why a new law requiring ministers to cut UK carbon dioxide emissions by three per cent each year is needed. The UK could be a genuine global leader on climate change."

Notes

1. The Government admission followed a Parliamentary Question from Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat environment spokesman.

2. The Energy Saving Trust calculate the average UK household emits 6 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, which is 1.65 tonnes of carbon. The 1,000,000 tonnes of carbon emitted annually by devices on standby is therefore equivalent to the annual emissions of about 625,000 homes.

3. Leaked draft G8 communique (3 May). See point 21: www.foe.co.uk/resource/evidence/draft_g8_climate_change.pdf (PDF)

Leaked draft (14 June)
www.foe.co.uk/resource/evidence/draft_gleneagles_communiqu.pdf (PDF)

4. More information at www.thebigask.com

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust