Climate Change and MicrogenerationThe House of Commons today took an important step to deal with climate change and promote microgeneration and renewable heating technologies when it gave a Second Reading to the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill promoted by Mark Lazarowicz MP However, environmental campaigners, fuel poverty NGOs and the micropower industry expressed anger that a second Bill, the Management of Energy in Buildings Bill (promoted by Alan Whitehead MP) was talked out by Eric Forth MP and aided by lengthy interventions in an earlier debate by Mark Harper MP. These actions by Conservative MPs is at odds with the position taken by the Conservative front bench spokespeople. The extent of the support for these Bills was demonstrated by the presence in the House of well over 100 MPs – an extraordinarily large number for a Friday. The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill will:
Many of the policies to achieve the above were contained in the Management of Energy in Buildings Bill which was then talked out – thus weakening the country’s ability to meet targets and deal with climate change and fuel poverty. Both Bills are backed by all the major environmental and fuel poverty NGOs and all the relevant trade associations, acting through the Sustainable Energy Partnership Partnership Organiser, Ron Bailey said “The passing of the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill is vitally important – but it is disgraceful that these MPs can use the Parliamentary timetable to block the Management of Energy in Buildings Bill which had the support of nearly all MPs in the House. This undemocratic action will set back efforts to deal with climate change – at a time when emissions of CO2 are rising. We hope their constituents will show their disapproval of this action”. Friends of the Earth's Climate Campaigner, Katie Elliott said: “It is a disgrace that Alan Whitehead’s Bill was blocked. Support for the development of solar thermal, ground heat and biomass sources of energy is long overdue. These technologies would be a huge help in the fight against climate change, as a third of the UK’s emissions come from heat. The Government needs to ensure the uncontroversial and straightforward measures contained in these Bills become law.” Dave Sowden, Chief Executive of the Micropower Council said: “we are very pleased by this important step forward with the passing of the Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Bill. This is a cause for celebration by the consumer, by industry, and for the future of the planet. This, however, is sadly tainted by the short-sighted behaviour of a small number of MPs. With over half of all MPs having already pledged their support for microgeneration, this cynical manipulation of Parliamentary rules is a blow to allowing consumers to produce their own clean energy and become part of the solution to addressing Climate Change and fuel poverty.” Andrew Warren, Director of the Association for the Conservation of Energy (ACE) said: “Sustainable energy companies are very disappointed that Parliament has wasted this opportunity to progress this important Bill, which could have ensured we occupy many more energy efficient buildings – where half of our energy is burnt. We call upon the government to find extra Parliamentary time to ensure this Bill can go forward.” For further information contact Jane Vaus on 020 7924 0795 or 077480 10447 or email jane.vaus@micropower.co.uk NOTES Text of the Bills can be found at www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/pabills.htm The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill - Mr Mark Lazarowicz, supported by Dr Alan Whitehead, Mr Andrew Smith, Mr Peter Ainsworth, Mr Frank Doran, Andrew Stunell, Dr Desmond Turner, Mr Mike Weir, Joan Walley, Alan Simpson, Meg Hillier and Colin Challen, will make provision about the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases, the alleviation of fuel poverty, the promotion of microgeneration and the introduction of a renewable heat obligation; and for connected purposes. The Management of Energy in Buildings Bill - Dr Alan Whitehead, supported by Mark Lazarowicz, Paddy Tipping, Mr John Denham, Mr Peter Ainsworth, Andrew Stunell, Mr Andrew Robathan, Joan Ruddock, Colin Challen, Annette Brooke, Dr Phyllis Starkey and Martin Salter makes provision about the promotion of renewable and sustainable energy, energy efficiency in buildings and the alleviation of fuel poverty; and for connected purposes. For further information on: Association for the Conservation of Energy, visit www.ukace.org Friends of the Earth, visit www.foe.co.uk Mark Lazarowicz and his Bill visit www.marklazarowicz.org.uk or contact 020 7219 8222 (Westminster) 0781 5543826 (mobile) Dr Alan Whitehead and his Bill visit www.alan-whitehead.org.uk.uk or contact 0207 219 5079 (Westminster) or 02380 231 942 (constituency office) For further information contact Jane Vaus on 020 7924 0795 or 077480 10447 or at jane.vaus@micropower.co.uk |
