This followed today’s announcement by the Chancellor to impose a 34% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 which goes beyond the 26% target provision contained in the Climate Change Act.
“We welcome the fact that the UK government is positioning itself as a leader on climate change, and the Chancellor is right to recognise that this will bring substantial economic opportunities, especially for manufacturers. However, reaching a global climate deal at the UN meeting of ministers in Copenhagen is essential if these targets are to achieve the goal of avoiding dangerous climate change. There is no reward for the UK acting on its own” said Gareth Stace, Head of Climate & Environment Policy at EEF
Mr Stace added that “the funding for tackling energy and resource efficiency, low carbon sector investment, offshore wind and other renewables is welcome. The Government has clearly set the UK on a course towards a low carbon future. However, this is merely the starting point. Only a sustained level of investment will help the UK realise its ambitious greenhouse gas targets”
The support for Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) will provide a boost to take this experimental technology to maturity. The Government should now commit to use part of the promised funding to support industrial CCS, alongside power generation CCS.