Press Release

Embargoed until 00.01 on Wednesday 19^th April

35-STRONG ALLIANCE ISSUES JOINT MANIFESTO

FOR GOVERNMENT’S ENERGY REVIEW

Thirty-five organisations, including the Town and Country Planning Association, concerned with securing clean, sustainable energy supplies, have today joined forces to issue a joint statement in response to the Government’s Energy Policy Review.

‘A Sustainable Energy Policy’, outlines what priorities and specific policy actions should come out of the Energy Review.

The manifesto is being launched at the Houses of Parliament with high level, cross party support.   

The manifesto calls on the Government to: 

-         uphold the vision, objectives and targets of the 2003 Energy White Paper and re-affirm its commitment to all related statutory and non-statutory targets;

-         develop the long-term policy framework needed to promote business investment;

-         minimise the ‘energy gap’ before trying to fill it, by reducing demand, encouraging efficient energy production and usage, and then boosting renewables;

-         focus on sustainable heat and transport as well as electricity; and

-         identify a single body responsible for achieving sustainable energy targets.

TCPA Sustainable Development Policy Officer Robert Shaw said:

“Our vision is one in which energy generation is linked more closely to communities and households. This will ensure less waste, greater energy efficiency, more direct local benefits, and stronger incentives to promote energy sources benign in their impacts on people and the environment.”

Spearheading the alliance, Philip Wolfe, Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Association, said:

“This is the last chance for Government to bring forward a sustained package of measures to deliver the objectives set out in 2003. Industry is looking for strong signals so we can invest in the necessary changes to our energy system.”

 

The environmental think tank Green Alliance was the other prime mover in the initiative and its Director, Guy Thompson said:

 “It is only two years since the last energy review put energy efficiency and renewables at the heart of the fight against climate change.  The government needs to grasp the nettle and develop a long term framework that will allow these technologies to deliver the carbon reductions that we so urgently need.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

>         The manifesto is being launched at 1 Parliament Street, Room C at 10am on Wednesday 19^th April.  Speakers will include Philip Wolfe, Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Association, and Stephen Tindale, Executive Director of Greenpeace UK.  If you would like to attend, please contact Matthew Lister at the contact details below.

>         The Energy Policy Review consultation document, "Our Energy Challenge: Securing Clean, Affordable Energy for the Long Term", was launched on 23rd January by the Secretary of State and the Minister for Energy.  The consultation invited responses to the evidence presented and to what should be done to secure clean, affordable energy for the long term.  The consultation is now closed and the Review Team will report to the Prime Minister in the summer.

>         The 2003 Energy White Paper set out four goals for energy policy:

1)       To put the UK on a path to a 60% reduction in its carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 with “real progress” by 2020;

2)       To maintain secure supplies of energy;

3)       Promote competitive markets, raise rates of sustainable economic growth and increase productivity; and

4)       Ensure every home is adequately and affordably heated.

 

>         The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) is an independent charity working to improve the art and science of town and country planning. The TCPA puts social justice and the environment at the heart of policy debate and inspires government, industry and campaigners to take a fresh perspective on major issues, including planning policy, housing, regeneration and climate change. Join the TCPA at www.tcpa.org.uk Our objectives are to:

• Secure a decent, well designed home for everyone, in a human-scale environment combining the best features of town and country

• Empower people and communities to influence decisions that affect them
• Improve the planning system in accordance with the principles of sustainable development

 

>         The Renewable Energy Association (REA) is a trade association representing the renewables industry in the United Kingdom. With some 450 members the REA is the lead industry organisation in the sector, representing companies of all sizes from the major energy multinationals to individual entrepreneurs in emerging renewables technologies. Its members are active in the renewable fuels, heat and power markets.

>         Green Alliance is an environmental think tank, which aims to ensure that the environment is at the heart of decision-making. We work with senior people in government, parliament, business and the environmental movement to encourage new ideas, dialogue and constructive solutions.