1. Green industries celebrate as government backs ‘bold’ new carbon target

    June 30, 2016

    Renewables sector praises ‘clear signal that the UK will continue to show bold leadership on carbon reduction’

    The government has this morning won plaudits from green businesses, after announcing it has agreed to set a new legally binding target to cut emissions 57 per cent against 1990 levels by 2032.

    As expected the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) issued a statement on its website confirming Ministers have approved the recommendations for the fifth carbon budget put forward by the independent Committee on Climate Change (CCC).

    “The Government has agreed with the Committee on Climate Change and proposes that the fifth budgetary period covering 2028 to 2032 should be set at 1,725 MtCO2e,” the statement reads, adding that associated documents and official impact assessments will be made public shortly.

    The move sparked criticism from the Labour opposition, which argued the failure to put the plans before parliament meant the end of the month deadline for formally adopting the new budget would be missed.

    The government is also likely to face calls to explain why it rejected the CCC’s recommendation to include the UK’s share of international shipping emissions in the new budget.

    However, green industry groups this morning were united in welcoming the decision, arguing it would deliver improved investor certainty at a time when confidence has been dented by the Brexit vote and ensuing political and economic turmoil.

    The decision also lays to rest fears that opposition from some Ministers to the proposed target could have resulted in it being watered down.

    “Today’s announcement is especially welcome given the uncertainty caused by last week’s referendum,” said RenewableUK chief executive, Hugh McNeal. “It’s a clear signal that the UK will continue to show bold leadership on carbon reduction. This will allow investment to continue to flow into renewable energy projects throughout the UK.”

    Source: businessGreen

    Category: News

  2. Amber Rudd: UK remains fully committed to climate action in wake of Brexit vote

    June 29, 2016

    Energy and Climate Change Secretary insists government is still “full tilt” behind Hinkley Point, and says she will only support a Tory leadership candidate who takes climate action seriously

    Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd today sought to reassure green businesses and investors of the government’s continued commitment to securing clean energy supplies and building a low carbon economy in the wake of last week’s decision to leave the European Union.

    In her first major speech since the referendum result, Rudd – who was a leading backer of the Remain campaign – stressed that while she still believed Brexit would result in a “harder road” for the UK as it worked to meet its climate goals, the government remained firmly committed to the emission reduction targets set out in the Climate Change Act.

    Rudd also emphasised that the 2008 Climate Change Act was “not imposed on us by the EU – it was delivered with cross part support” in Parliament, before praising the legislation for “underpinning remarkable investment” in low carbon technologies and renewable energy since 2010.

    Observers have voiced fears that the involvement of leading climate sceptics in the Leave campaign could lead to  post-Brexit push to water down environmental policies and low carbon investment programmes.

    But Rudd insisted the government remained fully committed to meeting its climate goals and would continue to work with international partners to tackle the threat presented by climate change. “As investors and businesses you can be confident we remain committed to building a low carbon infrastructure fit for the 21st century,” she told the audience of green business executives.

    Source: business Green.

    Category: News