News from Southampton Labour

Whitehead tables legal decarbonisation target

Dr Alan Whitehead, Member of Parliament for Southampton Test, has tabled amendments to the Energy Bill which, if passed, would require the Government to effectively decarbonise the power generation sector by 2030.

The independent Committee on Climate Change has recommended the Government include a decarbonisation target on the face of its current Energy Bill. The call has been backed by over 100 businesses, charities and campaign organisations including Friends of the Earth, Microsoft and the TUC. Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats also support the target.

Dr Whitehead’s amendment would place a duty on the Government to ensure that by 1st January 2030, the aggregate CO2 emissions of electricity supply in the UK does not exceed 50g/kWh.

The amendment would also allow the Government to review the 2030 target if there were significant advances in decarbonising other sectors of the British economy which would allow the Government to meet its overall commitment to cut the UK’s carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.

Dr Whitehead said:

“A 50 gram target on the face of the Energy Bill would deliver a clear, unambiguous signal to investors and the public that the Government is serious about decarbonising our electricity supply. The 50g target is no more and no less than what has already been recommended by the independent Committee on Climate Change and which has already secured the support of industry, the third sector and the Secretary of State. I believe these amendments set a clear benchmark for whether this Energy Bill will be taken seriously by businesses looking to invest in the UK, and whether or not the Government will ever be taken seriously on its energy and environment pledges in the future.”

Dona Hume, energy campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

“We are delighted that Dr Whitehead has tabled these amendments and that they have received the support of the Labour front bench. The sooner we establish a clear decarbonisation target in legislation, the better it will be for UK investment, consumer bills and for our environment.”

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