RenewableUK Welcomes Energy Bill Amendment on Decarbonisation Target

RenewableUK has welcomed the tabling of an amendment to the Energy Bill which would require the Government to set a decarbonisation target for the power sector in April 2014.

The amendment was put forward by the Conservative MP Tim Yeo who chairs the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, and the Labour MP Barry Gardiner, the party’s Climate Change Envoy and a member of the ECC Select Committee.

Currently, the Government has said that the issue of setting a decarbonisation target will be discussed in 2016 – after the next General Election.

If the amendment were to be introduced, it would reduce the maximum amount of carbon emitted from 2030 onwards. The exact amount would be set based on advice from the independent body set up to advise Government, the Committee on Climate Change. The CCC is currently recommending a limit of 50 grammes per kilowatt hour – 90% lower than current levels.

RenewableUK’s Director of External Affairs, Jennifer Webber, said:

“We welcome the fact that this crucial amendment has been put forward by two senior figures, from both Conservative and Labour sides. Setting a decarbonisation target for 2030 as early as possible is vital if we are to attract long term investment into the UK’s energy sector. This will secure more than 76,000 jobs in the wind industry by 2021, transforming UK manufacturing.

“This far-reaching proposal provides Government with a clear opportunity to send a strong signal that it is committed to the transition to a low-carbon economy beyond 2020 – we would urge all those working on the Energy Bill to ensure that that this opportunity will not be missed”.

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Press release, February 8, 2013; Image: londonarray