Decarbonisation target sought
A decarbonisation target for the UK power sector is being sought
A decarbonisation target for the UK power sector is increasingly becoming the focus of a campaign by groups concerned about climate change. Thousands of supporters, including Quakers, are backing the efforts of Conservative MP Tim Yeo and Labour MP Barry Gardiner to have an amendment introduced to the Energy Bill.
The Energy Bill has the task of keeping the lights on at a decent price while cutting the country’s emissions of greenhouse gases. The aim is to limit the amount of carbon electricity producers can emit per unit they generate. The government’s independent advisors, the Committee on Climate Change, have suggested 50g of CO2 per kilowatt hour of electricity produced by 2030. Natural gas measures up at 400g and coal around 800g, according to IEA data.
Pressure is growing on the coalition government to have a realistic target written in to the Bill. Quakers are part of a diverse coalition, which includes the WWF, Cisco and SSE that have publicly backed the amendment.
Supporters argue that a decarbonisation amendment would provide longer-term certainty to renewable energy investors at a time when utility firms are looking for replacements for an ageing infrastructure.
Once the power sector has been decarbonised, an increased electrification of transport, residential heating and some industries can follow.
Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW) are urging Friends to take action on the Energy Bill that ‘could determine for decades to come how the UK regulates and generates electricity’. With the right ambition, QPSW believe, ‘the government could commit to radically reduce the UK’s climate impact, whilst tackling fuel poverty in the UK and creating many green jobs’.
The creation of a renewables-based power system by 2030 would help build a sustainable and fair economy. In campaigning for a more ambitious Energy Bill and a low-carbon, sustainable economy, Quakers are joined by the Church of England, the Methodist Church, the Baptist Union and the United Reformed Church.
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