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Parliamentary Briefing: Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill

The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill aims to promote the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases, the alleviation of fuel poverty, the promotion of microgeneration and the introduction of a renewable heat obligation.

 

It aims to promote renewable energy sources, and make it cheaper and easier for people to generate their own energy.

 

In addition, the Bill will require the government to submit an annual report to parliament regarding current levels of greenhouse gas emissions and the efforts being made to reduce them.

 

It will also introduce targets for the take up of the microgeneration of energy.

 

Speaking to ePolitix Mark Lazarowicz MP said:

 

“There has been a worrying trend that the UK will struggle to meet the 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2010, but we can still meet the Kyoto target.”

 

“That’s why I am taking this parliamentary opportunity to help put the UK back on track to reach its targets for cutting greenhouse gases.

 

"This Bill will help to create an atmosphere where individual households will want to play their part in helping to tackle climate change.”

 

Stakeholder Responses

 

Energy Retail Association IEE

 

Wise Group Countryside Agency

 

Energy Retail Association

 

The Energy Retail Association welcomes the Bill.

 

Widespread support for the Bill demonstrates,  “not only the need for more coherent and practical legislation to tackle the threat of climate change in the UK, but also the importance of empowering individuals and communities to play their role.”

 

Combating fuel poverty requires a holistic approach from all the major players in the field, and most crucially, the government.

 

A dedicated policy on renewable heat would be a “valuable contribution” to the UK’s climate change programme.

 

Measuring the progress in cutting greenhouse gases is another “essential piece of the jigsaw.”

 

It is only by identifying the barriers faced at the earliest opportunity, that the government can formulate focused and progressive policies.

 

A coalition of effort and innovation are required to develop practical solutions to establish more efficient forms of energy supply and promote a culture of energy conservation.

 

Fiscal incentives have a key role to play in the development of energy efficiency measures and the rollout of microgeneration.

 

For more on this view please click here

 

IEE

 

Institution of Electrical Engineers

 

The IEE believes that rising energy demand is the real Achilles heel of current energy policy. This is particularly alarming, given the pivotal role of demand reduction in securing the key objectives of emission reductions, security of supply and the eradication of fuel poverty.

 

As an institution devoted to the promotion of technology, the IEE has long recognised the technological potential for energy conservation.

 

What is less well understood is how increasingly sophisticated technological solutions, including microgeneration and energy efficiency measures, can be best encouraged, whether in the home, in business or in the public sector.

 

“Ultimately, what is required is nothing short of wholesale public engagement, and a culture change in public attitudes to energy.” 

 

For more on this view please click here

 

Wise Group

 

The Wise Group

 

The Wise Group welcomes the Bill.

 

An annual report on greenhouse gas emissions would be “highly beneficial.” If detailed correctly, this would help to “demonstrate the significant energy savings” made in the domestic sector as a result of the services provided by organisations such as the Strathclyde and Central Energy Efficiency Advice Centre which ensure the local delivery of national objectives.

 

Annual reports on the progress of the microgeneration strategy will help to disseminate the findings and promote best practice.

 

The Bill will build upon the work of the Community Energy Programme, which is managed jointly by the Energy Saving Trust and Carbon Trust.  The Strathclyde and Central Energy Efficiency Advice Centre actively promotes the Community Energy Programme to Local Authorities and other Registered Social Landlords. 

 

A renewable heat obligation would help to save CO2 and contribute to the range of other mechanisms that limit the effects of climate change.  Again, local delivery of the sustainable energy message (via organisations similar to Strathclyde and Central EEAC) is a crucial part of this process.

 

For more on this view please click here

 

Countryside Agency

 

The Countryside Agency

 

The Countryside Agency has been working with the DTI on the Community Renewables Initiative.

 

The Community Renewables Initiative has helped deliver 89 renewable energy developments and advance a further 260.

 

Community groups such as schools, farms, housing associations, visitor centres and community shops have worked together to produce their own low-carbon energy.

 

The benefits include providing local employment, new skills, supporting livelihoods, installing a sense of ownership of energy production so that people understand what renewable energy is about, how it works and what it achieves. 

 

Projects have included wind turbines, hydropower, photovoltaic solar panels, solar hot water, heat pumps, biogas, and wood heat.

 

For more on this view please click here

 

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Published: Wed, 2 Nov 2005 16:40:00 GMT+00

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Progress of the Bill