Stakeholder Position: Energy Retail Association

 

The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill includes measures which 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. The UK has committed itself to a 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2010, but on recent trends this target seems, at best, a challenging one.

 

The Bill has substantial cross-party support within Parliament (an EDM welcoming it has secured 256 signatures to date) and widespread backing in many quarters of the energy efficiency field.

 

This, coupled with reports that the Bill has received ‘positive soundings’ from ministers, 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 as well.

 

The alleviation of fuel poverty is an issue that requires action on many fronts. On 31 October, the Energy Retail Association launched the Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99), a vital resource for those suffering from fuel poverty and the wide variety of intermediaries and third parties whose role it is to support and advise them.

 

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

 

The retail energy sector has long argued that a coalition of effort and innovation is required to develop practical solutions to establish more efficient forms of energy supply and promote a culture of energy conservation in an increasing energy intensive environment.

 

For example, fiscal incentives have a key role to play in the development of energy efficiency measures and the rollout of microgeneration.

 

The current EEC programme should also be reviewed in order for it to deliver tangible improvements to households, which require them.

 

The energy minister, Malcolm Wicks MP, has gone on record as an ardent proponent of microgeneration and recognises the potential it has to play in the overall energy mix.

 

In addition, the formation of a dedicated policy on renewable heat would be a valuable contribution to the UK’s climate change programme and no doubt the forthcoming Climate Change Review will include the government’s views on how any proposals should be taken forward.

 

The measurement of the progress made in cutting greenhouse gas emissions 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 and benefit from best practice elsewhere.

 

In conclusion, the Energy Retail Association is supportive of this Private Member’s Bill.

 

The issues it aims to tackle are important and current and without action at all levels of our society, from government departments to individual householders, many say the consequences are extremely worrying.

 

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