Commenting on a letter from the Committee on Climate Change sent to Climate and Energy Secretary Chris Huhne yesterday (17 June 2010), which warned the UK will miss its legal target to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 unless the Government takes action to reduce pollution from gas power stations, Friends of the Earth’s Head of Climate Mike Childs said:

“The Government should heed the advice of its expert advisors – if we are to meet our target to slash emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 we need bold action to capture pollution from gas power stations.

“Maximising our use of renewable energy is fundamental to tackling climate change and must remain our top priority, but while we make the transition to cleaner energy supplies it’s vital we capture the carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels.

“The UK has much to gain from developing a low-carbon economy – energy security, lower fuel bills, and a manufacturing boom with new green industries and jobs.

“The Government must announce the greenest Budget ever next week – including assurance that a Green Investment Bank with at least £2 billion will be set up within a year to help attract essential funding for low-carbon industries.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Friends of the Earth is calling on David Cameron to deliver on his election promise to lead the greenest Government ever by making next Tuesday’s Budget as green as possible. http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/budget_advance¬
_17062010.html