Home > Press releases > UK Government undermining EU renewables target
29 March 2008
The UK Government must not be allowed to wriggle out of its EU climate change obligations, Friends of the Earth said today.
As part of its plan to tackle climate change, the EU has committed itself to ensuring that 20 per cent of the bloc's energy will come from renewable power by 2020. And to ensure that this happens the UK has provisionally been told that 15 per cent of its energy must come from renewables by this date.
The UK claims to be “fully committed” to the target. But according to reports today, it is seeking to avoid its commitment by asking for investments in renewable energy developments overseas and carbon savings from 'clean' coal, to count towards the EU quota.
Friends of the Earth climate campaigner, Robin Webster said:
"The UK should be planning a massive investment in clean, renewable energy in the UK rather than trying to weaken its international climate obligations. Britain could be a world leader in developing green energy. We have the best wind, wave and tidal power resource in Europe - the economic and environmental potential is enormous. But the Government is fixated on nuclear power and unwilling to give the necessary backing to renewables. The EU must force Britain to play its part in developing a safe and sustainable future for us all.”
For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
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