Signing up to joint statement on energy efficiency
23rd February 2007
Alan Whitehead MP joined a group of cross-party MPs and leading business and environmental organisations at the House of Commons to launch a joint statement on energy efficiency. The joint statement sets out 11 clear and achievable steps that will help achieve the Government’s ‘ultimate ambition’ of using every unit of energy as efficiently as possible and contribute to meeting the UK target of reducing carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050.
Climate change is widely accepted as one of the greatest threats we face and there is a broad consensus that energy efficiency is a key tool in the battle against this threat. The Government’s recent Energy Review concluded that “using every unit of energy as efficiently as possible has to be our ultimate ambition” and proposed a range of new measures. The Joint Statement, therefore, calls on Government to take the opportunity of the forthcoming Energy White Paper to turn this positive rhetoric into a step change in polices to drive energy efficiency.
The Joint Statement on Energy Efficiency brings together some of the country’s leading energy experts and business leaders to highlight the areas where Government policy must progress as a matter of urgency if we are to tackle dangerous climate change. Measures identified where Government action is needed include:
- Toughening up and introducing the proposed mandatory UK Energy Performance Commitment.
- Continuing to lead the development of a strengthened and expanded EU Emissions Trading Scheme including working for tighter caps across the EU and the inclusion of aviation.
- Pressing ahead with proposals to require all new homes to be carbon neutral by 2016.
- Pushing for the expansion of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive to cover all major commercial buildings.
- Setting clear mandatory requirements for energy efficiency in all large public sector building projects and refurbishments.
- Pressing for the European Union to reinstate the requirement for average emissions from new cars to reach the 120g CO2/km target by 2012 through vehicle technology improvements.
