The Committee on Climate Change published a major report on renewable energy yesterday. This report matters because the so-called CCC, established under the Climate Change Act, has clout. Ministers tend to listen to what they have to say.
It's worth a read. It gives a good overview of what the UK energy mix could look like up to 2030 and some of the challenges for the UK Government.
The RSPB has welcomed the report and its headline conclusion that renewable energy has serious potential to deliver in the UK. Why? Because wildlife is already feeling the heat from climate change and it's set to get worse.
Our Climatic Atlas of European Breeding Birds concluded that, for the average bird species, the potential distribution by the end of this century will shift nearly 550 km north east, be reduced in size by a fifth and overlap the current range by only 40 per cent. Alarmingly, the atlas shows that three quarters of all of Europe's nesting bird species are likely to suffer declines in range.
This is why followers of these pages will know that the RSPB has long been calling for moves to a low Carbon economy. We support the CCC's earlier conclusion that we must decarbonise electricity generation by 2030. This requires a massive reduction in the demand for energy and major investment in renewable energy - nothing short of an energy revolution. Our challenge to governments has been to ensure that this revolution takes place in harmony with the natural environment.
This is why we were pleased that the CCC recognised that we need a new strategic approach to renewables deployment. We've been advocating this for some time.
The CCC notes that the planning system in England is not delivering sustainable renewable energy, and that the Coalition’s planned reforms may make matters even worse. They also recognise the success that the Scottish Government has had in delivering wind power, and the critical role that ensuring wildlife is properly protected has played in this. This has been achieved by being strategic in their approach, guiding the industry towards the most appropriate sites, and ensuring that the organisations like the RSPB are consulted and listened to.
If the UK Government adopts these particular recommendations, they will get three cheers from the RSPB.
Congratulations to Chris Hune and his colleagues but I understand Mr Osborne and his friends at the Treasury are already making noises against the report on the lines it will damage the economy and our competitiveness. Why is it the Treasury is always so negative instead of seeing the opportunities. (Maybe that is why countries like Germany are ahead of us on the application of new technology in the commercial world). There are so many examples of the Treasury pressures leading to wrong decisions. For example the lead this country had in satalite and rocket technology (Black Knight) in the 1960s was thrown away in favour of the white elephant Concorde. So come on the Treasury and put yourselves firmly behind this report by the CCC