80% cut in emissions by 2050 agreed in order to avert catastrophic climate change.
Mr Miliband admitted that the previous government target of a 60% cut on 1990 levels had now been overtaken by the science. Now Government policy is agreeing with the climate change committee's findings chaired by Lord Turner. The cost of securing an 80% cut, according to Turner, will be 1-2% of GDP in 2050. Turner will set out how to meet the first 15 years of carbon budgets in December.
Mr. Miliband told MPs: "In tough economic times, some people will ask whether we should retreat from our climate change objectives. In our view, it would be quite wrong to row back, and those who say we should misunderstand the relationship between the economic and environmental tasks we face". He also largely succumbed to a cross-party campaign to amend the energy bill to create feed-in tariffs for power, allowing small-scale energy producers - such as homes with wind turbines or solar panels - to sell on the electricity at a guaranteed price. Countries such as Germany have been far ahead of Britain in allowing feed-in tariffs, so creating a huge solar industry.
Ed Miliband, in his first Commons statement in his new post, also warned energy companies that he will legislate if they do not act "in a satisfactory way" to reduce charges for customers with pre-payment meters, most of whom are poor. Miliband met the six big energy companies on Wednesday to discuss the issue. He also went on to say that in tough economic times, green jobs could be created in "a transition economy" if the country committed itself to radical climate change targets. Miliband admitted that the new target was not an end in itself. "We all know that signing up to an 80% target in 2050, when most of us will not be around, is the easy part. The hard part is meeting it and meeting the milestones that will show we're on track," he said.
Shadow climate change secretary Greg Clark welcomed the target. He said: "The choice between aggressive and ambitious action on carbon reduction and a successful, powerful economy is, in fact, not a choice at all - they are one and the same."
Miliband admitted: "If we carry on flying in the way that we are and expanding airports, we need to do less of other things. We are absolutely determined that we meet our overall targets." Turner had expressed reservations about including aviation in the target because it was not easy to calculate which countries were responsible for international flights.
Stephen Hale, Green Alliance director, said: "Ed Miliband's first major decision suggests he gets it. An 80% cut in emissions by 2050 is needed to avert catastrophic climate change."
Friends of the Earth executive director Andy Atkins said: "We are absolutely delighted that Ed Miliband has committed the UK to cutting its emissions by 80%by 2050 - this is what the science demands." But he added: "Miliband's admission that pollution from international aviation and shipping will be dealt with outside the bill is a sign that these industries are being picked out for special treatment yet again."
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British are "bored" with Climate Change
A new energy report suggests that British people are less environmentally conscious than they were five years ago.
4 out of 10 britons take no action at all to reduce their household carbon emissions, and twice as many people are now "bored" by talk of climate change as in 2005. Experts warn that green fatigue is one of the major reasons as to why there are more cars on the roads, more planes in the sky and no reductions in the mountain of packaging waste. The report reveals that too few people are making an effort to reduce their household CO2 emissions and environmentalists believe the recession is further undermining public commitment.
The report, by market researchers Mintel, shows that many of Britain's 26 million homes fail to make simple adjustments such as switching off lights, turning down thermostats, and switching off appliances rather than leaving them on standby. The findings also reveal that people are less willing to spend money on energy-efficient appliances than they were five years ago. Analysts believe the recession together with a backlash against "extreme" environmentalist pressure has reduced people's enthusiasm to combat climate change.
The report also found that resistance to saving the planet was greater among men; one in four said they think there is too much concern over the environment, compared with one in six women.
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More information on the 2016 definition of "Zero Carbon".
Housing Minister, Grant Shapps announced additional information about the new definition of "Zero Carbon".
The Government plans to investigate setting up a community energy fund which will be used to pay for district heating and renewable energy schemes.
Developers who pay into the fund will not have to install onsite renewables or microgeneration equipment. Many developers have welcomed the flexibility of paying into a fund rather than grappling with renewables on each site.
However, the full definition of 'zero-carbon' has once again been delayed. This is despite a pre-election promise to get the definition of zero carbon finalised “within weeks” of getting into office.
The new Government Housing Minister has recently announced that the coalition will review the level of on-site renewables required - before publishing the final definition of the standard, which all new homes will have to reach after 2016.
In the announcement, the Minister also re-affirmed his commitment to all new homes being zero-carbon from 2016 and confirmed the introduction of the ‘Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard' which requires a minimum standard in relation to insulation levels and air tightness and thermal bridging in buildings.
Zero carbon is required of all Code for Sustainable Homes level six homes. Clarification of what zero carbon will mean is still to be decided.
If you require assistance with your Code for Sustainable Homes level requirements, contact Ecowise - we are a fully accredited Code for Sustainable Homes assessment organisation.
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Pilot Tidal Energy Scheme for North Wales Coast
Conwy County Borough Council has backed plans for a pilot tidal energy scheme off the North Wales Coast.
The £150 million scheme at Llanddulas in North Wales would provide a testing facility for turbine designers and manufacturers, and assess the environmental impact of turbines.
The project was given approval by the council as part of a strategic regeneration strategy for the Conwy coast, prepared by consultant Capita Symonds.
Paul Terry, Capita Symonds, said: "Tidal power will play a key role in providing a sustainable energy source for future generations. The North Wales coast is an ideal place for such a scheme as it’s blessed with a good tidal range and suitable ocean depth." He added that the project could also help protect the coast from rising sea levels, storm surges and coastal erosion.
The regeneration strategy also calls for seven new visitor centres costing £30m should be built at key locations stretching from Conwy to Rhuddlan. But North Wales Tourism chairman Chris Jackson raised doubts over whether the proposals could realistically be funded in the current economic climate. The council’s approval now means that Capita Symonds will seek funding for feasibility studies and investigations to develop a business case for the scheme.
