Responding to today's news that the government is set to miss its 2010 CO2 reduction target, Greenpeace Senior Climate Campaigner Charlie Kronick said:
"This review is pitiful. CO2 emissions are rising, the target's getting further away and the Government has introduced no new measures to combat this. Failure of government departments to agree a clear plan of action has lead to a review that is nothing more than an abdication of responsibility. At a time when we desperately need bold leadership, yet again Tony Blair fiddles while the world burns."
Kronick identified five key areas which the review failed to properly address :
Air travel
On aviation the review doesn't contain measures to halt airport expansion and increase air passenger duty. Aviation must be included in EU Emissions trading scheme at the earliest possible opportunity, preferably 2008.
Road transport
The fuel tax escalator must be unfrozen and effective road tax bands introduced that actually influence purchasing behaviour in favour of more efficient vehicles. The government should also legislate for best efficiency standards in each vehicle class to become mandatory.
Energy and buildings
The review should have ensured the tightening of building regulations to make all new buildings zero emission standard by 2010 and provide tax incentives for the installation of micro-renewables in new and existing buildings.
Renewable energy
The review should have considered policy mechanisms that are capable of delivering where the Renewables Obligation has failed - i.e. measures to incentivise all renewable technologies, not just onshore wind and provide certainty to the market beyond 2015. The cost of grid connection for key industries such as offshore wind should also be reviewed and support provided to kick start its development.
EU Emissions trading scheme
The review should have created market certainty by tightening the national allocation of carbon credits (the amount of CO2 British industry is allowed to emit) year on year. Instead Tony Blair is seeking to increase that figure. The National Allocation Plan should be used to bring about real domestic reductions, rather than using it as a mechanism to buy credits from other countries so that UK emissions can keep on spiralling.
The Government is also today publishing its microgeneration strategy to look at ways to bring the use of microgeneration technologies into the mainstream. The strategy must contain concrete targets to give a clear signal to investors, the regulator and network operators that these technologies have a vital role to play in a low carbon future.
Charlie Kronick commented, "Microgeneration does not mean micro vision. Government needs policies that will kickstart an energy revolution in the UK, a decentralised energy vision. Instead of committing to bring microgeneration into our homes and offices, the strategy commits to undertake yet more reviews. In the meantime, the window for taking action on climate change gets smaller by the day."
Further information
For further information contact Charlie Kronick on 07801 212963, or the Greenpeace Press Office on 0207 865 8255.
