Gareth Kane on opportunities missed
As the Government tries to squirm its way out of its renewables targets, Gareth Kane asks, if Latvia can do it, why can't we?
The Guardian has a big splash on the UK's renewables target today - and how it is likely to be missed by a mile. It appears that we're heading for 5% renewables by 2020, compared to the 20% European target that Tony Blair signed up to just this spring. This is not a big surprise as the Government has repeatedly signed up for headline grabbing commitments without a tangible plan to deliver them. And what has been brought forward has lacked oomph.
For example, the Low Carbon Buildings Programme provides subsidies for micro renewables and is meant to help you, the punter, get your hands on your own renewable energy. Unfortunately the scheme has been afflicted with all sorts of procedural problems and starved of cash. When I bought my solar hot water system at the start of this year, I didn't bother with the scheme as my preferred installer wasn't registered and at that time the grants were running out on the first day of every month. Grants were suddenly stopped in the Spring to sort these issues out. They have restarted but the total amount in the pot is still just 2.5% of the cash found recently to widen a section of the M6. And climate change is a priority?
To me, the most shocking thing in the Guardian report is the leaked memo from civil servants to ministers advising them on the best way to wriggle out of the commitment, including the suggestion that we include nuclear as a renewable energy (which would allow us to meet the target at a stroke). Not exactly in the spirit of the game, is it?
Meanwhile, countries from Ireland to Latvia are tearing past us on their generation of renewable electricity, the latter almost hitting 50% in 2005 compared with our measly 4.3%. This makes a mockery of the continuous Government proclamations that the UK can lead the world on tackling climate change.
If it can be done and must be done, why aren't we doing it?
Until next time,
Gareth
Gareth Kane
Eco-living Blog
Terra Infirma
