Britain commits to a clean energy revolution

25 January 2008

Britain today committed to launching a clean energy revolution which will create thousands of jobs, help reduce carbon emissions and if delivered confirm the country's position as a world leader on climate change. These developments will put Britain in pole position for the transition to a low carbon economy expected by the middle of this century.

As part of the most comprehensive EU energy package so far, each EU country has agreed to massively increase its share of renewable energy generation. The UK has agreed to provide 15% of its total energy (electricity, heat and transport) from renewable sources by 2020. Different EU countries have been allocated different targets depending on their circumstances.

The UK's 15% target means that within twelve years around 40% of our electricity must come from sources like wind, wave, tidal, solar and biomass power. This is because the target refers to 'total energy' - that is heat, transport and electricity, and there is less scope for generating heat and transport fuels cleanly.

Britain enjoys the best renewable resources anywhere in Europe - especially for wind and marine renewables - and the Government's own figures show that the target is wholly achievable. However, currently the UK generates just 2% of its energy from renewable sources - above only Malta and Luxembourg in the European league table. Greenpeace believes that a major shift in Government priorities must take place in order to make the target a reality.

Reacting to the news, Greenpeace Executive Director John Sauven said:

"Britain is set to embark on a clean energy revolution, and it's vital that we approach this with a can-do attitude. Gordon Brown deserves praise for committing to this target, and if his Government can deliver it we will have closed the energy gap with clean, reliable technology, created thousands of green collar jobs and safeguarded our energy supplies - as well as setting an international example on climate change.

We now need a completely new industrial policy to make this happen, supporting the engineers and business leaders who can make the target a reality. Just as important is a step change in Government thinking, where for too long civil servants at the Department for Business have treated the renewables industry with utter contempt."

The so called 'energy gap' - which the Government claims will be caused by the closure of old nuclear, gas and coal plants - is estimated to represent around 30% of the UK's total electricity supply. This means that the growth in renewable electricity by 2020 - that ministers are now mandated to achieve - will more than make up for any shortfall while safeguarding the environment.

The announcement also details the extent to which member states will be allowed to 'trade' a proportion of their obligations with countries which have overachieved on their own targets. This could potentially mean that the UK is able to 'buy' its way out of its target at a later date.

Sauven continued: "The British Government should be embracing this target, not looking for ways of weaseling out of it. With the best renewables resources in Europe it would be an absolute disgrace if we had to rely on our neighbours to reach the target. If Gordon Brown wants to be seen as a world leader on climate change he simply has to meet his own responsibilities to the planet."