Thursday, May 20, 2010

UK Government Programme for Energy and Climate Change

The Government believes that climate change is one of the gravest threats we face, and that urgent action at home and abroad is required. We need to use a wide range of levers to cut carbon emissions, decarbonise the economy and support the creation of new green jobs and technologies. We will implement a full programme of measures to fulfil our joint ambitions for a low carbon and eco-friendly economy.

* We will push for the EU to demonstrate leadership in tackling international climate change, including by supporting an increase in the EU emission reduction target to 30% by 2020.
* We will seek to increase the target for energy from renewable sources, subject to the advice of the Climate Change Committee.
* We will continue public sector investment in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology for four coal-fired power stations.
* We will establish a smart grid and roll out smart meters.
* We will establish a full system of feed-in tariffs in electricity – as well as the maintenance of banded Renewables Obligation Certificates.
* We will introduce measures to promote a huge increase in energy from waste through anaerobic digestion.
* We will create a green investment bank.
* We will retain energy performance certificates while scrapping HIPs.
* We will introduce measures to encourage marine energy.
* We will establish an emissions performance standard that will prevent coal-fired power stations being built unless they are equipped with sufficient carbon capture and storage to meet the emissions performance standard.
* We will cancel the third runway at Heathrow.
* We will refuse permission for additional runways at Gatwick and Stansted.
* We will replace Air Passenger Duty with a per-flight duty.
* We will introduce a floor price for carbon, and make efforts to persuade the EU to move towards full auctioning of ETS permits.
* Through our ‘Green Deal’, we will encourage home energy efficiency improvements paid for by savings from energy bills. We will also take measures to improve energy efficiency in businesses and public sector buildings. We will reduce central government carbon emissions by 10% within 12 months.
* We will reform energy markets to deliver security of supply and investment in low carbon energy, and ensure fair competition including a review of the role of Ofgem.
* We will instruct Ofgem to establish a security guarantee of energy supplies.
* We will give an Annual Energy Statement to Parliament to set strategic energy policy and guide investment.
* We will deliver an offshore electricity grid in order to support the development of a new generation of offshore wind power.
* We will encourage community-owned renewable energy schemes where local people benefit from the power produced. We will also allow communities that host renewable energy projects to keep the additional business rates they generate.
* As part of the creation of a green investment bank, we will create green financial products to provide individuals with opportunities to invest in the infrastructure needed to support the new green economy.
* We will work towards an ambitious global climate deal that will limit emissions and explore the creation of new international sources of funding for the purpose of climate change adaptation and mitigation.
* Liberal Democrats have long opposed any new nuclear construction. Conservatives, by contrast, are committed to allowing the replacement of existing nuclear power stations provided that they are subject to the normal planning process for major projects (under a new National Planning Statement), and also provided that they receive no public subsidy.
* We will implement a process allowing the Liberal Democrats to maintain their opposition to nuclear power while permitting the Government to bring forward the National Planning Statement for ratification by Parliament so that new nuclear construction becomes possible. This process will involve: – the Government completing the drafting of a national planning statement and putting it before Parliament; – specific agreement that a Liberal Democrat spokesperson will speak against the Planning Statement, but that Liberal Democrat MPs will abstain; and – clarity that this will not be regarded as an issue of confidence.



Not a lot there on Cutting Energy Waste and Encouraging Reduced Energy Consumption. It does say Through our ‘Green Deal’, we will encourage home energy efficiency improvements paid for by savings from energy bills. We will also take measures to improve energy efficiency in businesses and public sector buildings. Home Energy Efficiency Improvements? You mean Mercury-containing Fluorescent light bulbs and rock fibre loft insulation and double-glazing for people who have houses that are too big for them? Energy Efficiency, Efficiency, Efficiency?

Have you not noticed that the problem left untackled here is that the Enviromental Movement has been trapped into a cul-de-sac for years by having to request Efficiency improvements, instead of Energy Consumption Reductions, because nobody has yet challenged the prerogative of Economic Consumerism (if the public gets what the public wants, that isn't usually what the planet wants, so you have to change what the public wants)?

How do you measure Efficiency? The efficient use of Energy is where it is used to create the most vital forms of wealth. What are the most vital forms of wealth? FOOD, not diamonds/gold, or throw away consumer purchases, or huge office towers that run on airconditioning in the summer, or empty houses and buildings entirely heated to 22 degrees centigrade just because their occupants think it is THEIR RIGHT TO KEEP WARM BY BURNING FOSSIL FUELS OR BY WASTING GREEN TECHNOLOGY RARE EARTH METALS ON OVERSIZED HOMES.

Consumption of Energy, if it is outright wasteful, cannot be made efficient unless the waste is ruthlessly eliminated.

The UK Coalition Government's Programme for the Environment - Human Population

Nick Clegg's and David Cameron's detailed programme has been released today. Below is the page from their Environment, Food and Rural Affairs page. Other areas of their programme will be discussed in other posts.

The Government believes that we need to protect the environment for future generations, make our economy more environmentally sustainable, and improve our quality of life and well-being. We also believe that much more needs to be done to support the farming industry, protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable food production.

* We will introduce measures to make the import or possession of illegal timber a criminal offence.
* We will introduce measures to protect wildlife and promote green spaces and wildlife corridors in order to halt the loss of habitats and restore biodiversity.
* We will launch a national tree planting campaign.
* We will review the governance arrangements of National Parks in order to increase local accountability.
* We will work towards full compliance with European Air Quality standards.
* We will take forward the findings of the Pitt Review to improve our flood defences, and prevent unnecessary building in areas of high flood risk.
* We will examine the conclusions of the Cave and Walker Reviews, and reform the water industry to ensure more efficient use of water and the protection of poorer households.
* We will work towards a ‘zero waste’ economy, encourage councils to pay people to recycle, and work to reduce littering.
* We will reduce the regulatory burden on farmers by moving to a risk-based system of regulation, and will develop a system of extra support for hill farmers.
* We will investigate ways to share with livestock keepers the responsibility for preparing for and dealing with outbreaks of disease.
* We will take forward the Marine and Coastal Access Act and ensure that its conservation measures are implemented effectively.
* As part of a package of measures, we will introduce a carefully managed and science-led policy of badger control in areas with high and persistent levels of bovine tuberculosis.
* We will promote high standards of farm animal welfare. We will end the testing of household products on animals and work to reduce the use of animals in scientific research. We will promote responsible pet ownership by introducing effective codes of practice under the Animal Welfare Act, and will ensure that enforcement agencies target irresponsible owners of dangerous dogs.
* We will ensure that food procured by government departments, and eventually the whole public sector, meets British standards of production wherever this can be achieved without increasing overall cost.
* We will investigate measures to help with fuel costs in remote rural areas, starting with pilot schemes.
* We will create a presumption in favour of sustainable development in the planning system.
* We oppose the resumption of commercial whaling, will press for a ban on ivory sales, and will tackle the smuggling and illegal trade on wildlife through our new Border Police Force.
* We will bring forward a motion on a free vote enabling the House of Commons to express its view on the repeal of the Hunting Act.



It all sounds good, but what is missing?

Man. The number of people. The one thing that is most obvious on this planet Earth, is being completely ignored by this government. The government has not indicated any policy towards population levels in its own country, so why would it be able to lead politically on this issue on a global level? It won't.

For the Green Party and Caroline Lucas, here's your key. It is no longer adequate to be green and mean and mind your own reproductive practices, because even with equitable politics (complete fairness) it is the total human population in the world that will cause stress on the environment.

China and its Communist Party are far more thinking and honest about this issue.