Archived press release

Energy Review: What the Government needs to do to restore its climate credentials

13 April 2006

Friends of the Earth today (Thursday 13 April) set out what the Government needs to do in the Energy Review if it is to restore its credibility on climate change. The organisation outlined a number of measures needed in areas such as transport and electricity supply as part of its submission to the consultation on the Energy Review, due to end this Friday.

The Energy Review which began in January is looking at how the UK can meet its energy, security and climate policy goals.

The Government's climate credentials have been severely damaged by the Climate Change Programme Review and by its failure to deliver promised cuts in carbon dioxide emission.

Friends of the Earth Climate Campaigner, Germana Canzi said:

"The Government's lack of real action to cut emissions seriously undermines its credibility on climate change. The Energy Review could be a chance to make amends. But the Government must start promoting real solutions rather than old and discredited technologies, such as nuclear power. This is simply a distraction from what really needs to happen."

Friends of the Earth's submission to the review includes the following recommendations:

Introduce a new climate law that would commit the Government to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by three percent year-on-year, monitored through an annual climate budget. The majority of MPs support The Big Ask, Friends of the Earths campaign for a climate change law.

Reduce emissions from the electricity sector through the introduction of new energy efficiency measures and through the promotion of renewable sources of electricity and the most efficient technologies for burning coal and gas. New research released in March shows that the UK can meet its electricity needs, reduce the need for imported natural gas, and cut electricity emissions by between 48-71 percent, without a new nuclear power programme.

Tackle the heat sector which uses most of the natural gas we burn with new measures to encourage energy efficiency and promote renewable heat sources such as biomass, solar thermal and geothermal.

Put forward credible proposals for reducing the growth in emissions from the transport sector including new measures to reduce growth in aviation emissions. Surface transport, including cars and transport of goods by lorry is responsible for around a quarter of total UK carbon emissions, while aviation is the fastest growing source of emissions.

Note

The submission includes the report `A Bright Future' which shows how the UK can meet its electricity needs, tackle climate change and reduce our reliance on imported gas without the need for a new nuclear programme.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust