Press release

Lib Dems back power sector decarbonisation

24 September 2012

Welcoming the passing of a Lib Dem motion today (Monday 24 September 2012) backing the decarbonisation of the power sector, Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

"With the Lib Dems and Labour now calling for a decarbonised power sector, the backlash against George Osborne's reckless 'dash for gas' is gaining momentum.

"Developing the UK's rich renewable energy potential should be the centrepiece of a thriving modern economy, weaning the nation off dirty and increasingly expensive fossil fuels and creating thousands of jobs.

"The key test for the Liberal Democrats is whether they will stand up to the anti-green Chancellor in both the Cabinet and Parliament and insist on a legally-binding target in the Energy Bill to decarbonise the power sector by 2030."

The motion was successfully amended by delegates to call for the Green Investment Bank to be allowed to borrow money before national debt has started to fall.

Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

"Mr Alexander has been given a new mission - to free the Green Investment Bank from the Chancellor's failed austerity drive, so it can be an engine of our economic recovery.

"Delegates realise that until it can both borrow and lend money, the Green Investment Bank can't do much investment and won't be a real bank."

ENDS

Notes to editors

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

1. On Saturday (22 September) 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.

2. A Friends of the Earth/Greenpeace poll published on Sunday (23 September) found that the party could win back lost voters if it stands up for the environment.The Populus poll shows 55% of people who voted Liberal Democrat in 2010 would be more likely to vote for the party again if it took action to achieve carbon-free power in the UK by 2030.

3.  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.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust