New government boosts for green economy
21 May 2010
We’re really pleased with some of the details emerging about the new coalition government’s environmental plans. Ambitious carbon reduction targets and more renewables all sound promising for a greener, low-carbon future. But we’d like more commitments on zero-carbon homes…
Our director of campaigns, David Norman, says: “As a package, there’s much to warmly welcome from the coalition deal. WWF has long campaigned for the cancellation of a third runway at Heathrow and other airport expansion plans, and we’ve been calling for an ‘emissions performance standard’ for coal power stations.
“Measures to implement a Green Deal for household energy efficiency, potentially higher renewable targets and a Green Bank are all urgently needed, and it’s good to see them included. But the details of these policies will be crucial to ensure they’re effective.
“It's great to finally see a commitment to pressure the EU to reduce its emissions by 30% by 2020 – essential for global climate deal negotiations. The UK should back up this leading position by strengthening its own target to 42%.
“There should also be substantial new financial support available to those countries least responsible for, but most affected by climate change.”
Another encouraging piece of news is the government’s plan to make its Export Credit Guarantee Department more environmentally robust – which should improve UK companies’ green standards overseas.
No commitment on zero-carbon homes
Now the not-so-good news – lack of commitment on zero-carbon new homes.
WWF was one of the originators of the idea that all new homes should be zero-carbon by 2016. That’s vital if the UK is to meet the targets in the Climate Change Act, as well as boosting the market for green technologies and making the UK a centre for progressive green construction.
Before the election, both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats were publicly supportive of this idea. But the new coalition document contains nothing more than loose commitments to “improve the energy efficiency of new homes over time.”
Our senior public affairs officer (and member of the government’s 2016 Zero-Carbon Task Force), Simon McWhirter says: “We sincerely hope they aren’t taking away this world-leading zero-carbon target.
“Against all the odds it has been hugely catalytic in galvanising homebuilders towards reducing emissions from new-build. Industry needs certainty and the confidence to continue to invest in and innovate on zero-carbon.
“It’s nonsensical to include commitments to reduce the UK’s emissions by 30%, but to omit a key delivery mechanism for achieving this. We hope it’s a mere slip of the pen in the flurry to craft this agreement…”
You can…
- Find out more about the new government’s environmental plans
- Read our take on government’s environmental plans
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