Climate amendments enrage green groups

Climate amendments enrage green groups

Friday, 31, Oct 2008 08:00

Recent amendments to the energy bill have incensed environmentalist groups who say the legislation is unclear, unplanned, and would not insure the introduction of a feed-in tariff scheme.

"The legislation put forward by the government is vaguely worded and gives no certainty to business that a feed will be introduced," said Friends of the Earth's head of UK climate Ed Matthew.

"The UK has one of the worst renewable energy records in Europe. The government must strengthen the energy bill to guarantee the introduction of a genuine feed in tariff that encourages households, businesses and communities to invest in renewable energy generation."

The government has been pressured by green activist groups, trade unions, businesses, consumer groups, opposition parties and Labour backbenchers to amend the energy bill to introduce a feed-in tariff which would assure a lasting premium price paid to homes, communities and businesses for electricity generated from renewable sources.

In a separate development, the EU reached an agreement last night which could dilute the European renewable energy drive if member states get their way with negotiations.

"The agreement reached by the UK and other member states could weaken Europe's renewable energy plans," said Friends of the Earth energy campaigner Mary Taylor.

"The next month of negotiations is going to be crucial. The UK should be championing renewable energy in Europe as a way of helping us out of recession instead of trying to wriggle out of its green energy promises."

The agreement would allow the member states to exclude the aviation sector in the overall energy total for reaching the goal of generating twenty per cent of its energy from renewable sources.