Carbon Action Plan Lays Down Whitehall Deadlines

A cross-Government action plan on climate change backed by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister has been launched setting strict actions and deadlines for Whitehall.

The new Carbon Plan sets out what has to happen and by when if the Government is to live up to its green ambitions, meet tough domestic carbon targets and encourage greater action internationally. It is focused on the jobs and economic opportunities of the low carbon economy and on policies that will help insulate Britain from future energy price shocks.

The Carbon Plan has been published in draft with the Government inviting the public and organisations to give their views on the contents. A final version will be published in the Autumn and then updated annually.

In a foreword to the document, the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne wrote: “This Carbon Plan sets out a vision of a changed Britain, powered by cleaner energy used more efficiently in our homes and businesses, with more secure energy supplies and more stable energy prices, and benefiting from the jobs and growth that a low carbon economy will bring.

But it does more than that. It shows exactly how we will deliver that vision and play our part in the global effort to tackle climate change and build a green economy through specific, practical action across government, month by month and department by department.’’

The draft Plan highlights three key changes that will be required across the UK economy, including:

• In the way electricity is generated, where a dramatic shift away from fossil fuels and towards low carbon alternatives is needed - including renewable energy, new nuclear power and fossil fuel power stations fitted with carbon capture and storage
• In the way homes and businesses are heated, where a step change is needed in how well homes are insulated and away from gas boilers to low carbon alternatives, such as heat pumps
• In the way people travel. This means more use of public transport and substituting the need for some journeys, but the greatest change will be in road transport - reducing emissions from petrol and diesel engines and moving towards alternative technologies such as electric vehicles

Internationally, the plan sets out how the UK will work within the European Union and with other countries to promote ambitious action on climate change; support developing countries to limit emissions and adapt to climate change; and seek further progress towards a global climate change agreement.

(BMcN/GK)