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Government maps low-carbon road Low carbon way 'to reshape lives'
(20 minutes later)
A huge expansion of wind power, home insulation and "smart" electricity meters are among measures being planned to build the UK's low carbon future. Ambitious plans to generate one third of UK electricity from renewables by 2020 form the centrepiece of government plans for a low carbon future.
Ministers hope their Carbon Transition Plan will help them meet 2020 targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and expanding renewable energy. Financial packages for wind and wave energy and changes to planning procedures are among key components of the Low Carbon Transition Plan.
Campaigners say the plan is a chance for the UK to lead on climate change. "Smart" meters are to be deployed in 26 million homes by 2020.
The government admits consumers will pay more for energy, but believes that overall the economy can benefit. The government says the plan will create up to 400,000 "green jobs" without a major hike in energy prices.
Up to £120m will go towards developing the offshore wind power sector, and £60m on wave and tidal technologies. "The strategies we are launching today outline the government's vision for achieving a low carbon future for the UK, reshaping the way we live and work in every element of our lives," said Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.
LOW CARBON PLAN UK Low Carbon Transition Plan: Carbon Budgets Factsheet [289 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereLOW CARBON PLAN UK Low Carbon Transition Plan: Carbon Budgets Factsheet [289 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
There is support for research on nuclear energy, and £10m will be spent on accelerating infrastructure for recharging electric vehicles. "This is a challenge that every economy is facing, and we are determined that by setting clear policy now, Britain positions itself to benefit both economically and environmentally from the transition."
The details of the plan were outlined by Climate and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband in the Commons. The measures are designed to meet the UK target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 34% from 1990 levels by 2020, and the EU-derived target of producing 15% of energy from renewable sources by the same date.
The Low Carbon Transition Plan and its associated measures will plot a path towards the national target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 34% from 1990 levels by 2020. Currently, greenhouse gas emissions are about 22% below the 1990 baseline, according to government figures, including cuts that companies have purchased through the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS).
Government figures say emissions have already fallen by 22% from 1990. Beautiful land
They are also designed to point the economy towards EU targets for 2020 of a 15% share of energy from renewables and a 20% increase in energy efficiency. Every sector of the economy will be expected to cut emissions, although electricity generation and heavy industry will bear about half of the reductions.
Among the measures designed to stimulate expansion of renewable power are:
  • up to £120m to advance the offshore wind industry
  • up to £60m to stimulate progress in wave and tidal technologies
  • £6m to explore geothermal energy potential
  • a new facility to research nuclear technology
  • financial incentives for home generation
  • the government will exercise powers to speed up grid connection for renewable installations
While the renewables target is 30% share of the electricity sector by 2020, the low carbon target is 40% - the difference implying a 10% share for nuclear.
Ed Miliband: The transformation would be like switching from "town gas to North Sea gas in the 1970s"Ed Miliband: The transformation would be like switching from "town gas to North Sea gas in the 1970s"
Beyond that, the government has set a goal of slashing emissions by 80% by 2050 - a goal that was adopted by the G8 group of nations earlier this month. Seven thousand new wind turbines may rise from land and sea by 2020; and Climate and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said resistance to the technology would have to change.
As well as tackling climate change, the government believes changing to a low-carbon economy will help create jobs and industries. "It is important to be sensitive to people's issues around wind power," he told reporters.
"We think the environmental industries in Britain can generate about an extra 400,000 jobs by 2015," Mr Miliband told BBC News. "But our default position as a country needs to change. The biggest threat to our beautiful countryside isn't wind turbines, it's climate change."
"We think there are big, big opportunities, and actually I think it's something people want to hear - what is the post-recession economy going to look like and where are the jobs going to come from - and we know the world is switching to low carbon, and Britain needs to be at the forefront." In addition, the mission of the regulator Ofgem will be expanded to include a mandate for cutting emissions.
Leadership ambitions Many observers believe the targets are stretchingly ambitious.
In April, Chancellor Alistair Darling formally announced that the UK would live within "carbon budgets" - limits on emissions - just as it attempts to live within financial budgets. "We need a sixfold increase in renewable energy generation in just 11 years," commented Tom Delay, chief executive of the Carbon Trust.
LOW CARBON MEASURES Smart meters in every homeEasier, more flexible loan schemes for home insulationBetter financial incentives for home electricity generationMeasures to facilitate up to 7,000 new wind turbinesIncentives for cycling and electric vehicles class="" href="/2/hi/science/nature/7758752.stm">Along the electric road "This can be achieved but will require not just a transformation in technology, but in political, economic and industrial thinking."
The budgets were recommended by the government's advisory body, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), in December; and the key figure - which the government has accepted - is the 34% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions 2020. The government says these measures, when combined with an expansion in home insulation and smart meters, will not raise energy prices up to 2015, though probably will do by 2020.
However, many observers say that the renewables sector is currently growing far too slowly to meet the 15% target, and want ministers to be specific about how they will encourage green businesses. From 2011, the poorest households will receive mandatory help with fuel bills.
"We will be looking for hard policy content and rapid delivery timetables from Wednesday's documents," said Gaynor Hartnell, policy director of the Renewable Energy Association (REA)
"The encouraging rhetoric we are now hearing from (Energy and Climate Secretary) Ed Miliband and the Prime Minister on the vital importance of our industry must translate into practical and rapid measures."
The Low Carbon Transition Plan - a white paper - is accompanied by:
  • a Low Carbon Industrial Strategy, focussing on "green growth" in industry and business
  • a Renewable Energy Strategy detailing how the UK will meet its 15% target
  • Low Carbon Transport: a Greener Future, outlining the transport sector's contribution to greenhouse gas reductions
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How do you build a wind farm out at sea? Environment correspondent David Shukman visits Gunfleet Sands, the site of a major new offshore projectHow do you build a wind farm out at sea? Environment correspondent David Shukman visits Gunfleet Sands, the site of a major new offshore project
Environmental campaigners have long criticised the government as being long on international rhetoric but short on action. Outside energy and industry, transport emissions are to be tackled though a combination of better fuel efficiency on the road, electrification of the rail network, the use of sustainable biofuels, infrastructure for recharging electric vehicles in up to six cities, and measures designed to increase cycling.
But the low-carbon strategy, many believe, is a chance for the UK to show the rest of the world that it is serious about cutting emissions, and that economic benefits can accrue. Farmers will be asked - and encouraged - to cut emissions by changing agricultural practices, paying for the creation of woodland, and support for facilities that use farm waste for energy.
Governments are currently discussing elements of a prospective major new deal on combating climate change, which is supposed to be finalised at a UN climate summit in Copenhagen at the end of the year. The government believes the changes will usher in a new post-recession era of sustainable green growth.
"The government has a unique opportunity to... show bold international leadership ahead of crucial UN climate negotiations by setting out a detailed route map for slashing UK emissions," said Andy Atkins, executive director of Friends of the Earth UK. Ministers also say the plan puts the UK in a leadership role in the months leading up to December's critically important UN climate summit in Copenhagen.
"Seizing the green initiative will create exciting new jobs and business opportunities through ambitious measures to cut energy waste and develop the UK's vast green energy potential." But while generally welcoming the plan, campaigners suggested it did not go far enough.
"The government's plans are good news for UK energy security, jobs and progress towards a low carbon economy," said Christian Aid's climate policy expert Alison Doig.
"Our fear is that they will not achieve enough to help keep the global temperature rise below 2C (3.6F) and safeguard people in developing countries from dangerous climate change. We also question whether the government has shown enough ambition to inspire courageous commitments by other industrialised countries."
Richard.Black-INTERNET@bbc.co.ukRichard.Black-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk