Commenting on two letters today (Monday 8 October) from leading businesses to the Chancellor George Osborne and Energy Secretary Ed Davey, calling for a target in the Energy Bill to green our electricity by 2030, Friends of the Earth Director of Policy and Campaigns Craig Bennett said:

"These letters leave George Osborne totally isolated in his damaging dash for gas.

"Leading politicians from all parties, top businesses and even the companies building new power stations have all called for a binding target to green our electricity by 2030.

"These firms have given a clear and resounding signal of the reassurances they need from Government to enable them to invest in UK energy in the future.

"The Chancellor must stop obstructing green investment that's poised to create hundreds of thousands of jobs."

ENDS

Notes to editors

*** A Joint NGO statement on the Energy Bill 2012 ***

1.            A powerful alliance of the UK’s largest businesses and industry bodies have written today (Monday 8 October) to the Chancellor stating that a 2030 decarbonisation target for the power sector is essential for stimulating new growth in the economy. In an open letter to the Chancellor on the day of his speech to the Conservative Party Conference, signatories warn that recent statements calling for unabated gas in the power sector post 2030 are damaging business confidence in the low carbon economy and undermining major investments capable of delivering growth. A power sector carbon target – set down in legislation – would provide investors with long-term clarity and certainty, and ensure the UK stays within its carbon budgets.

2.            It was also revealed today (Monday 8 October) that seven major power companies including Alstom, Areva, Doosan, Gamesa, Mitsubishi, Siemens and Vestas have written to Energy Secretary Ed Davey calling for a binding target for power sector decarbonisation - despite building gas power stations themselves.

3.            Last month it was revealed that Labour leader Ed Miliband was calling for the forthcoming Energy Bill to contain a clear commitment to decarbonise the electricity system by 2030 - as called for by the Government's official climate advisor, the Committee on Climate Change.

4.            The Committee on Climate Change wrote to the Ed Davey on 13th September 2012 to ‘strongly urge’ him to include a 2030 decarbonisation target in the forthcoming Energy Bill.

5.            Friends of the Earth’s Clean British Energy campaign, backed by Deborah Meaden, is urging the Government to listen to the public and transform our broken energy system by developing clean and affordable power from our wind, sun and water. For too long the Big Six energy companies have locked Britain into importing costly gas and coal – causing our fuel bills to rocket. Now 85 per cent of people want the Government to back UK renewable power instead. This, and cutting energy waste, will stabilise fuel bills and create new jobs.