Home > Press releases > Archived press releases > 2000 > Byers ducks renewable energy challenge
5 October 2000
Friends of the Earth has slammed Trade Secretary Stephen Byers' announcement on renewable energy. FOE says that it “falls well short” of what is needed to curb the UK's emissions of greenhouse gases.
Speaking at today's Greenpeace Business Conference, Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers MP admitted that the Government's plan for renewable energy may only require less than ten percent of UK demand for electricity to come from “clean and green”technologies by the end of the decade.[1] Launching yet another consultation paper - the third on the issue since Labour came to power - Mr Byers added that the target may be further watered down if customers were not prepared to pay even a very modest premium on utility bills.
FOE wants the target and funding to be doubled in order to give the UK renewables industry the trajectory for take-off it has long been waiting for.
Mark Johnston of Friends of the Earth said:
“Essential supplies of renewable energy to power Britain's modernising economy and save the world's environment failed to get through this morning, as Government ministers again prevented any effective policy from leaving the'Whitehall Refinery'.
There has still been too much talking and not enough action by Government.The proposals in this latest consultation paper fall well short of what is needed for the UK to play its full part in the single most pressing environmental issue facing the planet.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] Mr Byers is speaking at the Greenpeace Business Conference, London Marriott Hotel, London W1. The consultation paper is on details of the Obligation to be placed electricity suppliers under the new Utilities Act.
For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
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