The UK Government's climate change programme, published today, does little to break our economy's dependence on fossil fuels or to build a strong UK renewable energy industry, according to Greenpeace. The programme demonstrates that reduction in emissions comes from the 'dash for gas' that followed the decline of the UK coal industry and the liberalisation of the power sector (1).
Commenting on the document Matthew Spencer, Head of Greenpeace's climate campaign said:
"The Labour government is still dining out on the accidental carbon dioxide reductions that came from Thatcher's battle with the miners."
"John Prescott continues to play a positive role at the international climate negotiations, but back home things are going from bad to worse. The Chancellor slashes the cost of petrol just as our public transport system collapses, and whilst the renewable energy industry blossoms in Europe, it struggles to stay alive in the UK."
The two European countries predicted to go beyond their Kyoto commitments are Germany and the UK. Comparisons between the two countries on key energy indicators show the different magnitude of response. For example, Germany is installing 100,000 solar roofs, compared to one hundred solar roofs in the UK. Germany has also installed 5,108 MW of wind power, whereas the UK has installed just 389 MW. Germany also has 150,00 vehicles running on bio -diesel while the UK has only fifty.
Spencer added, "The Government's climate change programme is completely silent on solar power. The only reference in this document to solar is a picture of some photovoltaic panels."
Note: (1) According to the Climate Change Programme, UK emissions of carbon dioxide have fallen from 168 million tonnes to 154 million tonnes. Of the 14 million tonnes reduced, 12 million tonnes have come from the energy supply industry, largely as a result of the switch from coal to gas in power stations.
Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace Press Office on 0207 865 8255
