Press release

Urgent action must follow Huhne green speech

3 March 2011

Reacting to Chris Huhne's speech today (Thursday 3 March) which revealed his vision for a low-carbon economy, Friends of the Earth's Head of Climate Mike Childs said:

"Successive Governments have failed to tackle the looming threats of climate change and higher fuel prices and now we're all paying the price.

"Weaning the economy off its fossil fuel addiction will slash emissions, create new jobs and business opportunities and help insulate us all from future energy price hikes.

"The next few weeks are crucial - if the Government is serious about creating a safe and prosperous future it must put the development of a low-carbon economy at the heart of both its Budget and Energy Bill."
 
Friends of the Earth is urging the Government to take urgent action to develop a low-carbon economy, including:

• Accepting the recommendation by the Committee on Climate Change that the UK should reduce emissions by 60 per cent by 2030 (the current target is for an 80 per cent emissions cut by 2050), and strengthen its 2020 target too. This will give investors and industry a strong signal that the UK is serious about developing a low-carbon future.

• Strengthening the Energy Bill, currently before Parliament. This must set a target for cutting emissions from housing by at least 40 per cent by 2020. Furthermore, private landlords must be made to bring homes they rent to an acceptable standard of energy efficiency.

• Removing the cap on the amount of money earmarked by the Treasury for small scale renewable electricity schemes under the feed-in tariff scheme. The review of feed in tariffs, recently announced by the Government, should only be limited to solar farms. The wider review has already led to investment in small-scale green energy schemes drying up.

• Focussing electricity market reform on delivering a major marine-based renewable industry (such as off-shore wind and wave  power) . This will also create new jobs and business opportunities. These safe and clean technologies will lose out if market reforms are used to prop up the failing nuclear industry.

• Ensuring this month's Budget puts delivery of a low-carbon future at its core. This must include:
a. incentives and measures to encourage people to reduce their carbon footprint;
b. the establishment of an effective and properly-funded Green Investment Bank. This must be able to raise money from bonds and must include energy efficiency within its remit.
c. The use of green taxation revenues to stop cuts in bus services and invest in programmes to slash energy waste through the Warm Homes Scheme.
 
ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Chris Huhne's speech: 

Friends of the Earth press release

Embargo:  For immediate release, Thursday 3 March 2011

Contact:  Neil Verlander, Friends of the Earth press office, 0207 566 1649

CHRIS HUHNE GREEN SPEECH - URGENT ACTION NEEDED TO DELIVER LOW-CARBON FUTURE

Reacting to Chris Huhne's speech today (Thursday 3 March) which revealed his vision for a low-carbon economy, Friends of the Earth's Head of Climate Mike Childs said:

"Successive Governments have failed to tackle the looming threats of climate change and higher fuel prices and now we're all paying the price.

"Weaning the economy off its fossil fuel addiction will slash emissions, create new jobs and business opportunities and help insulate us all from future energy price hikes.

"The next few weeks are crucial - if the Government is serious about creating a safe and prosperous future it must put the development of a low-carbon economy at the heart of both its Budget and Energy Bill."
 
Friends of the Earth is urging the Government to take urgent action to develop a low-carbon economy, including:

• Accepting the recommendation by the Committee on Climate Change that the UK should reduce emissions by 60 per cent by 2030 (the current target is for an 80 per cent emissions cut by 2050), and strengthen its 2020 target too. This will give investors and industry a strong signal that the UK is serious about developing a low-carbon future.

• Strengthening the Energy Bill, currently before Parliament. This must set a target for cutting emissions from housing by at least 40 per cent by 2020. Furthermore, private landlords must be made to bring homes they rent to an acceptable standard of energy efficiency.

• Removing the cap on the amount of money earmarked by the Treasury for small scale renewable electricity schemes under the feed-in tariff scheme. The review of feed in tariffs, recently announced by the Government, should only be limited to solar farms. The wider review has already led to investment in small-scale green energy schemes drying up.

• Focussing electricity market reform on delivering a major marine-based renewable industry (such as off-shore wind and wave  power) . This will also create new jobs and business opportunities. These safe and clean technologies will lose out if market reforms are used to prop up the failing nuclear industry.

• Ensuring this month's Budget puts delivery of a low-carbon future at its core. This must include:
a. incentives and measures to encourage people to reduce their carbon footprint;
b. the establishment of an effective and properly-funded Green Investment Bank. This must be able to raise money from bonds and must include energy efficiency within its remit.
c. The use of green taxation revenues to stop cuts in bus services and invest in programmes to slash energy waste through the Warm Homes Scheme.
 
ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Chris Huhne's speech

2. Friends of the Earth believes the environment is for everyone. We want a healthy planet and a good quality of life for all those who live on it. We inspire people to act together for a thriving environment. More than 90 per cent of our income comes from individuals so we rely on donations to continue our vital work. For further information visit www.foe.co.uk.

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