Archived press release

Government curbs carbon dinosaurs

19 January 2004

Friends of the Earth has welcomed today's Government announcement limiting the amount of carbon dioxide that can be emitted by industry. This move will set a standard for other countries across the European Union to follow.

The Government's announcement, which affects industry sectors included in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, will required carbon dioxide emission cuts in two phases. In the first phase of trading (2005-2008) targets will be in line with a 16.3% target by 2010 compared to 1990 levels. In practice this means an 8% cut in emissions compared to 2001 levels. Government is expected to make clear its firm commitment to tougher limits in the second phase (2008-2012), in line with our national target of a 20% cut in carbon dioxide by the end of the decade.

When the detail is published later today it is expected to show that sectors included in the scheme [1] will be required to deliver higher cuts than transport and domestic emissions. Inefficient coal fired power stations, the carbon dinosaurs of our economy, will be the most affected sector overall. A Friends of the Earth league table shows who the biggest losers will be [2].

By setting limits in line with our national carbon dioxide target rather than our Kyoto target, the UK can justifiably claim to be taking a lead in Europe by pledging to go further than Kyoto. However, the UK will not be introducing the toughest limits in Europe. Some countries, such as Spain and Ireland, will have to take tougher action simply to meet Kyoto targets. Germany is also expected to follow the UK in going further than its Kyoto target.

Industries selling cleaner, low carbon technologies and services stand to gain from the announcement. If it is successful in providing an incentive for the building of new infrastructure, including more modern power stations, then construction and engineering companies will also benefit.

Friends of the Earth's climate campaigner Bryony Worthington, said:

"We are pleased that the Government has put its words into action. Emissions in the UK have been rising in recent years but this announcement will bring us much closer to reaching our climate change targets. Carbon emissions trading will hopefully provide a big incentive for companies to clean up their act and play a significant role in the fight against climate change."

"Climate change is the biggest environmental threat the planet faces, risking the extinction of up to a million species by 2050 and widespread economic and social devastation. Big savings in emissions can be made relatively easily by industry through using more efficient technologies and cleaner fuels. But, Government will also need to introduce similarly tough measures to curb rising emissions in transport and the domestic sectors or face mounting criticism from environmentalists and those in industry now facing strict limits and penalties."

Friends of the Earth is also campaigning against unsustainable Government policies that will lead to increases in climate changing gases in other sectors, most notably transport. This includes last month's decision to accommodate huge increases in air travel by increasing UK airport capacity:
www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/aviation_government_abando0.html

[1] Some 1500-2000 installations including combustion installations; mineral oil refineries; coke ovens; metal ore processing; iron and steel production; cement and lime production; glass manufacture; ceramics manufacture; and pulp, paper and board production.

[2] The carbon dinosaur league table published last year highlights who the worst climate

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