Micro-Generation And Energy Efficiency Schemes Needed To Reduce Emissions - Webb

2.46.00pm GMT Wed 23rd Jan 2008

Commenting on today's European Commission announcement on renewable energy targets, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Steve Webb said: "The Government is spending far too much time on grand energy schemes which will not be up and running for many years, when what we need is urgent change.

"Ministers should therefore focus on micro-generation and energy efficiency schemes which could lead to big reductions in emissions now.

"Instead of pushing minimum renewable obligations to energy companies, the Government should introduce feed-in tariffs, which will guarantee a price for selling renewable energy back to the grid.

"In Germany, when people generate electricity from things like solar panels, their government guarantees they will get money from selling it back to the grid. If we did that in this country, we could see the same dramatic growth in renewables that they have seen.

"This would encourage people to take up micro-generation, and increase investment in larger scale renewable schemes."

Commenting further on the announcement on the third stage of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), Steve Webb said:

"This package will significantly strengthen the ETS. The switch to auctioning permits and the introduction of firm targets outside the scope of the scheme is to be welcomed.

"This must be matched by a robust action plan from the Government on how the UK's target for renewable energy is going to be met."