Department of Energy and Climate Change
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
UK law and people power join forces for a low carbon, secure energy future
As three new Acts of Parliament go on the statute book, householders and drivers are being challenged to save energy and cut their carbon emissions under the Government's ACT ON CO2 People Power challenge, being launched nationwide tomorrow.
The challenge will follow volunteers from Newcastle, Portsmouth and Birmingham as they attempt to reduce the energy they use in their daily lives, with a dedicated website tracking their progress, sharing their tips and comparing success between the three cities.
The launch of the campaign marks the passing of three major pieces of legislation - the Climate Change, Energy and Planning Bills - which are all expected to receive Royal Assent today (26 November). Together, the three Acts will help facilitate the UK's transition to a low-carbon economy, deliver a long-term, secure energy supply, and enshrine in law ambitious targets to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent.
Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband, said:
"The UK is the first country in the world to introduce a legally-binding framework to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Setting the 80 per cent target was the easy part: now the work really begins. Government, communities, businesses and individuals need to work together to bring about change.
"The Energy and Planning Acts will be instrumental in reducing carbon emissions, removing barriers to enable industry to invest in important new infrastructure, and giving individuals and communities the incentive to use energy more efficiently and generate their own heat and energy.
"With over 40 per cent of emissions coming from the choices we make as individuals, the new People Power challenge aims to show the small steps we can each take so together we can make a big difference. I hope the volunteers, their action and their enthusiasm, will inspire others across the country to ACT ON CO2 and I wish them the very best with the challenge."
Secretary of State for the Environment, Hilary Benn, said:
"The People Power challenge will show people how they can save energy in their homes and on the road - so saving money and helping the fight against climate change. We all have a responsibility for the future of the environment, and in these tough economic times we can all benefit by thinking carefully about using energy."
Under the Climate Change Act 2008, the UK will introduce five -yearly 'carbon budgets' outlining how emissions targets will be met, bring in plans on corporate reporting for businesses, and eliminate free single use carrier bags. The Energy Act 2008 underpins the development of new civil nuclear power, the expansion of renewables, and paves the way for new technologies such as carbon capture and storage and smart meters. The Planning Act 2008 addresses energy efficiency in homes and simplifies planning permission for all large energy infrastructure projects.
The People Power challenge is part of the ACT ON CO2 campaign, a cross-Government initiative which helps householders and consumers reduce their energy use. People Power ambassadors will take part in a number of activities, which might include a home energy audit by the Energy Saving Trust, a lesson in saving fuel through 'smarter driving', and keeping a weekly log of their energy use.
Transport Minister Andrew Adonis said:
"Smarter driving techniques are a key part of the ACT ON CO2 campaign, and can save drivers fuel and money as they go about their daily lives. At a time when everyone is thinking more about both the economy and the environment, this offers a real opportunity to make a difference.
"The 'People Power' drive gives a renewed focus on the individual. It links up energy consumption in the home with emissions on the road and offers solutions for maintaining a low carbon lifestyle. I look forward to seeing the achievements of today's volunteers over the coming months."
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said:
"There is enough renewable energy caught up in the system to power over one and a half million homes and the current planning system cannot cope.
"In the future now that the Planning Bill has been given Royal Assent we can begin to create the faster, fairer planning system we need to reduce our fossil fuel addiction and build up a new generation of renewable energy infrastructure sources like wind power. Many low carbon power sources will now get faster approval, and the country could save £300m a year."
To follow the progress of the People Power participants, log on to http://www.direct.gov.uk/ActOnCO2.
Notes to editors
1. "People Power" can be viewed online on the cross-Government ACT ON CO2 campaign website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/actonco2. Along with tracking the experiences of the regional ambassadors, the site offers consumers a one-stop-shop for ACT ON CO2 where they can source information on how to help tackle climate change and save money in a number of areas - including around the home and transport - and use the ACT ON CO2 calculator.
2. For advice on available support people should ring the Government's ACT ON CO2 advice line run by the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012.
3. For information about the "People Power" ambassadors in Portsmouth, Birmingham and Newcastle, please contact Vicky McGuire, Tarin Ayres or Claire Jagot on 0207 815 3900.
4. Regional emissions and energy consumption statistics:
CO2 emissions energy consumption
Region Total percent Total (kWh) percent
(million tonnes)
N Ireland 16 3.0 39,603.4 2.4
North East 33 6.3 83,617.6 7.7
Wales 33 6.3 97,377.2 5.8
East Midlands 41 7.8 129,422.1 7.7
South West 42 8.0 132,002.1 7.9
Scotland 43 8.2 171,942.3 10.3
West Midlands 45 8.6 147,505.0 8.8
East of England 45 8.6 156,267.2 9.3
Greater London 50 9.5 163,214.3 9.7
Yorkshire and 53 10.1 168,410.8 10.1
Humber
North West 59 11.2 200,208.9 11.9
South East 66 12.5 225,534.5 13.5
Total 526 100 1,675,501.9 100
5. The Climate Change Act will introduce legally binding greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and a carbon budgeting system which caps emissions over five year periods, with three budgets set at a time, to set out our trajectory to 2050. For further details, please visit: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/legislation/index.htm
6. The Energy Act 2008 will ensure our primary legislation is appropriate for today's energy market and fit for the challenges we face. It will put in place new legislation to reflect the availability of new technologies (such as Carbon Capture and Storage, emerging renewable technologies and smart meters); respond to our changing requirements for security of supply infrastructure (such as offshore gas storage); and ensure adequate protections for the environment and the tax payer as our energy market changes.
7. Today there is enough renewable energy capacity clogged up in the England and Wales planning system to power 1.68 million homes (2655.2 Megawatts). Planning Bill measures mean it could be decided more quickly and fairly. One third of Britain's electricity generating capacity needs replacing, people are facing rising fuel bills, and we are becoming more and more dependent on imported energy as supplies from the North Sea decline. But currently only 5% (or 5 Giga Watts) of our electricity comes from renewable sources today. The Planning Bill allows the Government to create a new body, the Infrastructure Planning Commission that will be able to take fairer decisions on major infrastructure projects in less than a year. It will also create a new national policy framework (National Policy Statements) that will determine and set out what the national infrastructure priorities for this country are on energy, aviation, road and rail transport, water and waste.
Department of Energy and Climate Change
7th Floor, 3-8
Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 9HH
Public enquiries +44 (0)20
7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215 6740 (for those with
hearing impairment)
http://www.decc.gov.uk
