"We are particularly pleased that it is seen as a step on the road towards cutting UK Carbon emissions by 60% by 2050, following the recommendations of the Royal Commission for Environmental Pollution's 2001 report," said the Foundation's Deputy Director, Ian Byrne. "We also welcome the indicative targets for 2020 which can be used by utilities and Regional Development Agencies, among others, for investment decisions.
"The Foundation has always believed that energy efficiency needs to be given a higher priority in combating climate change, as it is usually the most cost-effective route and can help improve UK competitiveness. We believe that the White Paper has not been innovative enough in seeking the latest improvements in this area; for example it should regard zero emissions as the norm for new homes by 2020 and be prepared to fund pilot schemes now to test concepts such as this."
Expanding on this comment, he noted that "in the vision for 2020, the White Paper says that new homes 'will perhaps even achieve zero carbon emissions'. We think that this should regarded as the norm for new homes by 2020, with pilot schemes to test the concept being tried out now. Where homes cannot achieve zero emissions directly, they should be expected to contribute to a fund that will make equivalent energy savings from existing homes. We believe that this may prove to be a more effective means of limiting carbon emissions than the large scale carbon trading given such a high profile in the White Paper."
"Large energy users, including manufacturing industry and many public agencies, such as NHS Trusts, have made great strides in improving energy efficiency over the past decade, as can be seen in the growth in the number meeting the stringent requirements of the Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme. However there are still many opportunities for improvements, and so we welcome new targets for the public sector and the possible extension of the Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC) to smaller non-domestic energy users."
The renewed emphasis on offshore renewable technologies and biomass and other small-scale distributed technologies was welcomed by Gareth Ellis, Manager of the NEF Renewables section. "Small scale projects, such as those fostered through the Community Renewables Initiative and the Foundation's own projects in sustainable wood fuel (Logpile) or self-build solar water heating (Selfsol) can help increase public acceptability for larger schemes as well," he commented.
"The belated recognition that liberalised electricity trading arrangements (through NETA) have hindered clean renewable energy developments is to be welcomed, together with outline plans for BETTA to be better for renewables. We are also pleased to see that the Government seeks to rein in the Ministry of Defence's objections to new wind developments and to increase funding for research into renewables generally, and offshore energy specifically."
Geoff Jago added "Fuel Poverty, where people cannot afford to heat their homes to an adequate level, remains unacceptable in a civilised country. The White Paper acknowledges this problem, and reaffirms the Government's commitment to eradicate it completely by 2016-8. But apart from identifying the need to consider extending the gas grid to poor homes currently using electric heating, we feel that the White Paper may be missing opportunities for other technologies, including heat pumps and pelletised biomass."
Summing up, Ian Byrne identified that "Regional Energy Strategies can be helpful in identifying the best ways of developing local renewable resources and identifying energy champions. The Government should not, however, use their development as a means of abrogating its own responsibility to provide firm leadership or to undermine the excellent work being done at a more local level by many Energy Agencies, HECA Officers and EEACs (none of which are mentioned in the White Paper)."
For more information, please contact Ian Byrne or Gareth Ellis at the National Energy Foundation on 01908-665555.
24 February 2003
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