Energy

Energy in London
Energy in the UK
Nuclear Energy
Climate Change Levy Discount Scheme
Emissions Trading Scheme

Energy in London
In Spring 2002, the Mayor of London published a Draft Energy Strategy for public consultation which, in the Mayor's words;

 "…aims to minimise the impacts on health and on the local and global environment, of meeting the essential energy needs of all those living and working in London. Specifically, it aims to reduce London's contribution to global climate change, tackle the problem of fuel poverty and, and at the same time promote London's economic development through renewable and energy efficient technologies."

Jean welcomed the strategy but warned that in its current form, the strategy would not deliver the reductions in CO2 emissions that were needed if London was to play its role in averting climate change.

Click here to download Jean Lambert’s full response to the strategy.

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Energy in the UK
In the UK, 99% of current energy supply comes from the combustion of fossil fuels and from nuclear power. Only 1% is generated from renewable sources.

Under the Kyoto agreement, the UK is committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2010. It's own domestic target aims for more than that.

In February 2002, the Performance and Innovation Unit's (PIU) published an energy review. On the back of this, the UK Government produced its White Paper 'Our Energy Future' published on 24 February 2003 which set out a long-term strategy for UK Energy Policy.

The Green Party produced an alternative energy report in response to this which gave green activities a range of practical measures to campaign for at both local and national levels including;
• Investment in energy efficiency
• Development of renewable energy
• Disbanding nuclear power
• High targets – absolute commitment
• Joined up thinking

Click here to download the Green Party’s Alternative Energy Review.

The decision should be easy. Renewable energy is affordable, safe and clean and the UK has some of the best resources in Europe. Wind power at sea alone could meet our electricity needs three times over and bring thousands of jobs to the UK. Yet the Government is seriously considering a proposal to build 10 more nuclear power stations.

Click here to download Jean Lambert’s briefing on Energy and Renewables

Jean has continued to campaign against the replacement of Britain’s nuclear weapons.  In January 2007 Jean joined the blockade of Faslane as part of Faslane 365, a continuous year long peaceful demonstration, drawing attention to the dangerous insecurity of Britain’s nuclear weapons of mass destruction calling for them to be disarmed.

“The legality, morality and cost of keeping nuclear weapons in the UK is unjustified and Greens simply can not support the replacement of Trident.  A future of nuclear warheads, with the ability to deliver around 8 times the destructive power of the Hiroshima bomb, is not one that offer us real security. If Tony Blair truly wants to lead the way to a positive future he must end Trident today.“
Jean Lambert MEP

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Climate Change Levy Discount Scheme
In April 2002 UK businesses became liable for the Climate Change Levy (CCL), a new energy tax that adds about 15% to typical energy bills. Many intensive users of energy are able to join Climate Change Levy Agreements helping mitigate the effects this tax. Under these agreements, business that accept and subsequently meet energy reduction targets will receive an 80% levy discount until the year 2013. Over 40 CCL Agreements are in place.

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UK Emissions Trading Scheme
The UK emissions trading scheme is the world's first economy-wide greenhouse gas trading scheme. It allows companies with climate change agreements to buy allowances to meet their targets, or to sell any over-achievement. UK based approved emission reduction projects can also sell credits into the scheme. Anyone who doesn't want to enter the scheme on the basis of an emissions reduction target or an emissions reduction projection can simply open an account on the registry to buy & sell allowances.

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