As leading UK companies, charities, unions and faith groups call today (Wednesday 20 February) on MPs to vote for the inclusion of a clean power target in the Energy Bill, Friends of the Earth’s Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said:

“From shipbuilders and soap companies to banks and unions, there’s overwhelming support for a clean power target to boost the economy and tackle climate change.

“If we’re going to make the UK a world leading low-carbon economy and create thousands of skilled jobs, MPs must urgently step in where the Coalition has dithered and include a target in the Energy Bill to clean up our electricity by 2030.”

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. See the full statement signed by over 35 energy firms, companies, charities, unions and faith groups, and supported by BBC Dragons’ Den’s Deborah Meaden.

2.The groups are calling on MPs to support the ‘green jobs amendment' tabled by Tim Yeo MP and Barry Gardiner MP earlier this month, which would require the Government to decarbonise the UK power sector by 2030 in line with the recommendations of the Committee on Climate Change by April 2014.

3.For more information on the Energy Bill, currently in Parliament, our briefing.

4.Friends of the Earth’s Clean British Energy campaign, backed by TV Dragons’ Den’s Deborah Meaden, is urging the Government to act now to fix our broken energy system by setting a target in the Energy Bill to clean up our electricity by 2030. Slashing energy waste and developing renewable power from our wind, sun and waves will tackle climate change, create thousands of UK jobs, and make our future fuel bills more predictable. To find out more and back the campaign visit .