Archived press release

Government renewables target on track

11 February 2005

Friends of the Earth has welcomed today's report from the National Audit Office indicating that the Government is currently on course to meet its target of generating 10 per cent of electricity by 2010. But the environmental campaign group said that the Government still needed to do far more to meet its promise of reducing UK carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent (based on 1990 levels by 2010), as well as tackling obstacles that could prevent the renewables target being met [1].

Friends of the Earth's climate campaigner Neil Crumpton said:

"We are encouraged that the UK appears to be on course to meet its renewable energy target. But the Government is still not doing enough to combat climate change. Carbon dioxide levels have not fallen since Labour came to power, and unless it takes tough and urgent action on transport, coal-fired power stations and energy efficiency it will not meet its promise of cutting emissions by 20 per by 2010. Mr Blair has pledged to put global warming at the top of the international agenda this year. The Prime Minister must lead by example and introduce policies to ensure year-on-year cuts in UK carbon dioxide levels."

Responding to the NAO's prediction that prices will increase by five per cent due to renewables, Neil Crumpton added:

"Domestic energy prices are over 20 per cent cheaper in real terms than they were in 1990. Scientists warn that climate change could have a devastating impact on people and wildlife unless action is taken now. A small increase in energy costs is certainly a price worth paying."

Tony Blair has previously described the threat of climate change as "so far-reaching in its impact and irreversible in its destructive power, that it alters radically human existence". He has promised to put it at the top of the international agenda this year during the UK Chairing of the G8 and Presidency of the EU.

Despite the UK Government's promise to make significant cuts in carbon dioxide levels, emissions have not declined since Labour came to power in 1997.

Notes

[1] The British Wind Energy Association recently said that it is on track to meet its part of the target (7.5 %). But actual achievement is likely to depend on:

a) timely completion of some very large offshore windfarms - final commissioning may slip one or two years (eg 750 MW Gwynt y Mor scheme in Liverpool Bay), and b) facing down minority but concerted anti-wind energy opposition to onshore windfarms.

[2]Price information is available from the DTI UK Energy in Brief booklet, available at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/energy_in_brief/

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust