Greenpeace comment on government climate announcement

Commenting on today's announcement of funding for so-called carbon abatement technology, Greenpeace Chief Scientist Dr Doug Parr said:

"Greenpeace welcomes investments in improved energy efficiency, but has real reservations about burying carbon. We have no objection in principle to the capture of carbon dioxide and its storage in underground formations but the pursuit of this technology is a distraction from the real priorities of implementing renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies which are available right now. Not one penny of government money that's earmarked for these solutions should be diverted to sequestration."We're in a climate crisis, we've got just a few years to stop the rise in emissions and we already have the means to do it. If industry wishes to invest its own money in exploring the feasibility of CCS it is at liberty to do so but public money should be reserved for technologies that can deliver benefits right now such as renewable energy and energy efficiency.

"We've given tax breaks to companies for getting oil and gas out of the ground, we shouldn't subsidise them to put the subsequent pollution back underground. The oil companies have made record profits through putting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and should now spend some of that cash trying to return it to the ground. Ultimately the 'polluter pays principle' requires oil and gas companies to pick up the tab on burying carbon.

"We welcome investment in hydrogen production and fuel cells as enablers of a future renewable and low-carbon economy."

For more contact Greenpeace on 0207 865 8255.