Big Ben and Houses of Parliament

Big Ben and Houses of Parliament

Image by yaili

Responding to the publication of the fourth progress report of the committee on climate change (CCC) today (29 June), WWF said that the government risked letting the Climate Change Act – a globally significant piece of legislation - “wither by neglect”.

WWF said that, with the UK reaching a critical stage in the implementation of the Act, there was real concern that there had still been no step change or an agreement to move to the more ambitious “intended” carbon budgets recommended by the CCC. 

Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: “Around the world more and more countries, including Mexico, Denmark and Australia, are following the UK’s lead and passing climate change laws. Yet at precisely the same time, the UK Government risks allowing this landmark legislation to wither by neglect.

“For the fourth year running, the Committee on Climate Change has made clear that a dramatic step change in ambition is needed, particularly on energy efficiency and renewable energy. Too many key policies – such as the Green Deal, the Green Investment Bank and now the Energy Bill – are hobbled by lack of ambition and poor implementation.

“Without urgent attention – and a much clearer commitment from the Prime Minister down - the claim to be the greenest government ever is looking like an increasingly empty boast.”

WWF strongly welcomed the CCC’s call for a 2030 decarbonisation target in the Draft Energy Bill, along with clear action to rule out a second “dash for gas”. The group pointed to strong industry, consumer group, academic and NGO support for a 2030 target, accompanied by much stronger action on energy efficiency. [1]

Keith Allott also said he was concerned that no new chair has yet been appointed to the CCC: “Adair Turner did a good job chairing the committee, and it is worrying that it is taking so long to replace him. His successor - when appointed - has a big task on their hands.”

ENDS

Notes 

1.    WWF, Consumer Focus, SSE and the University of Exeter recently organised a series of roundtables to bring together organisations from across the energy sector, including academia, environmental and consumer groups, the supply chain, technological providers and utilities, to produce recommendations for the Draft Energy Bill: http://www.wwf.org.uk/research_centre/research_centre_results.cfm?uNewsID=6074

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