By Pip Roddis, RSPB Climate Policy Officer
Details announced recently of the UK Government’s review of the Feed-in Tariffs scheme, which includes proposals for deep cuts to subsidies for small-scale renewable energy, are likely to make it harder for the UK to meet its climate targets in harmony with nature.
The proposals, if implemented, would result in households and businesses receiving considerably less for generating electricity by installing rooftop solar panels, small wind turbines and hydro schemes. The consultation document even suggests that the scheme could be closed completely to new projects from January 2016 if the Government feels it will not be possible to sufficiently limit spending on renewable energy.
Despite the Government claiming that growth of renewables is on track, the UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has identified that the current projected cut in emissions from the energy sector up to 2030 is likely to be less than half of the recommended level. The CCC has recommended that the UK should have a virtually carbon-free electricity sector by 2030. The Climate Change Act 2008 sets a statutory target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% from 1990 levels by 2050.
These proposals, in combination with other proposals coming forward to limit support for renewable energy, will jeopardise the UK’s ability to remain within legally binding carbon budgets, and to meet them in a cost-effective way and in harmony with nature.
Climate change is one of the greatest long-term threats to wildlife and people. Renewable energy is an essential part of the response to this threat, and small-scale renewable technologies, such as rooftop solar panels, are increasingly cost effective technologies which also enable households, communities and business to participate and benefit from the low carbon transition.
Pulling the plug on supporting these technologies too early could have drastic effects on the sector and undermine efforts to date to build up the small-scale renewables industry.
Have your say – the DECC consultation is here