The Government should stop trying to duck out of EU renewable energy targets and get on with the task of making the UK a world leader in green energy, Friends of the Earth said today as a committee of MPs warned the Government is on course to miss both the UK's renewable electricity targets and its proposed European targets on renewable energy.

The Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee's report criticises the Government's renewable energy policy, as "inadequate" and hits out at Ministers over their attempt to wriggle out of EU renewable energy targets.

The committee also recommended that the Government should urgently introduce a feed-in tariff similar to those in Germany where businesses, communities and householders get a guaranteed premium payment for green energy they generate.

Next week the Government is due to launch a consultation on its strategy for meeting the EU renewable energy target. Britain has been provisionally told that it will have to ensure that 15 per cent of UK energy must come from renewable sources by 2020 - which means that around 40 per cent of UK electricity will have to come from green power sources.

Friends of the Earth's energy campaigner, Robin Webster, said:

"The Government must deliver a strong green energy strategy instead of trying to wriggle out of EU renewable energy targets.

"Next week's renewable energy consultation must set out a blueprint for a greener future. Britain's abundant wind and wave power could create a new industry worth millions of pounds and thousands of jobs, cut carbon dioxide emissions and wean us off our increasingly expensive fossil fuel dependency.

"Ministers should start by amending the Energy Bill to guarantee a premium payment to homes, businesses and communities that generate green energy. Small-scale renewable energy systems could supply up to 40 per cent of UK electricity - but financial help is needed to make this happen."

The Government is trying to weaken proposed European renewable energy legislation by proposing loop holes so the UK and other countries do not have to cut emissions at home, for example by suggesting that green energy investments in countries outside the UK or using carbon-capturing technology should count towards the target.

The Committee also warned that Britain was unlikely to meet its domestic target of producing 10 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2010, saying that the country is on course only to achieve 6 per cent.

ENDS

Notes to editor:

The MPs' report (page 10) also criticised the Government over its EU renewable energy tactics: "We are disappointed that the Government is seeking to lower the target of 15 per cent renewable energies by 2020, as proposed in the EU Draft Directive on the promotion of energy from renewable sources."

For further information on the Committee's recommendations, visit www.parliament.uk/ius .

Separately, a House of Lord's Committee is due to debate an amendment to the Energy Bill tomorrow (Thursday 19 June 2008) which calls for feed-in tariffs to be introduced. For further information about feed-in tariffs, visit:

http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/¬
labour_mps_rebel_on_energy_30042008.html

For further information about Friends of the Earth, please visit http://www.foe.co.uk/.