Renewables

Renewable Energy Campaign

If we are serious about tackling the twin challenges of climate change and spiraling fuel costs, then we have to revolutionize the way we power the UK.

Friends of the Earth's renewables campaign is about showing the Government that there is broad support for such a change.

Tapping into the vast renewable energy potential of our islands - the sun, wind, tides and waves - will help keep global temperatures in check, give us secure and long lasting energy supply and generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of pounds worth of business.

The Government plans to publish a renewable energy strategy in spring 2009. As a first step to to delivering a renewable energy revolution, this strategy needs to do two important things:

Stick to its promises. The Government has promised to deliver at least 15% of our power from UK renewables by 2020. Unfortunately it has tried to wriggle out of this commitment. This wriggling needs to stop and the Government should use the new strategy to start delivering on its promises;
Rig the system in favour of renewables. The energy regulator, OFGEM, is responsible for managing the energy industry. At the moment the system works in favour of polluting industries. We need the Government to structure the industry in favour of renewables. To make a start the strategy must ensure that the energy regulator's main job is to cut climate change emissions, so that priority is given to renewables.

Take Action

For the Government to act they need to know that people all over the country want them to. One strong way to get that message across is for community groups, organizations and businesses, from all walks of life, to back the campaign.

We are asking community groups, organizations and businesses to sign a community action card, calling on the Government to give more support to renewables and ensure that at least 15% of our energy comes from renewable sources by 2020. All the signed cards will be presented to Leicester Members of Parliament in March 2009.

All signatories also have the option to have their names on a national website, showing their support for the campaign.

For more information and to receive a community action card(s) for your organization(s) to sign, please e-mail, Kay Snowdon. - kaysnowdon@yahoo.co.uk

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