Despite the publication of a suite of National Policy Statements on energy, the Government failed to make clear how dirty coal would be ruled out of the energy system by the early 2020s, and a zero-carbon power sector achieved by 2030, according to the RSPB.These are the two critical recommendations of the Committee on Climate Change that must be achieved if the UK is to meet its legally binding target of an 80 per cent emissions cut by 2050.
They are also a critical test of the credibility of UK climate policies going into December's talks in Copenhagen on a new global climate deal.
Stemming the coal rush
Ruth Davis, the RSPB's Head of Climate Change Policy, said, "Ed Miliband can take personal credit for stemming the coal rush which threatened to engulf the UK energy sector in 2008. He has secured much-needed investment for testing and carbon capture and storage equipment, and set out a timetable for the Environment Agency to ensure that any new coal plants built now will not run without full CCS beyond 2025."
"But these are only baby steps. Promises about future regulation are not enough to deliver climate safety. What the energy sector – and environmental campaigners – need now is a long, loud, legal signal that we are heading for zero-carbon power by 2030. The perfect opportunity to deliver this will come in the Energy Bill this Winter. We can only hope that, when the Bill comes, the fog will lift once and for all."
Six draft National Policy Statements have been unveiled. They will guide the decisions of the new Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), which will rule on major developments such as roads, airports and power stations.
Importance of our natural environment
As the criteria against which all such developments will be measured, it is vital they reflect the importance of our natural environment and the need to build a low carbon economy in the fight against climate change.
The RSPB is now urging people to respond to the Government's consultation on the statements in a final bid to influence changes to planning policy that could have a huge impact on the places where they live, the wildlife they love and the climate they depend on.
The RSPB is also urging ministers to make the consultation as widespread and effective as possible to give people a say.
Profoundly undemocratic
Simon Marsh, the RSPB's Head of Planning, said, "We believe the new Commission is profoundly undemocratic because it takes the final decision on large developments away from elected ministers.
"That is why it is so important people seize this chance to shape the guidelines under which it will operate.
"The Commission cannot be allowed to become a fast track for developments which harm wildlife and the special places they rely on or for dirty-coal fired power stations which threaten our climate.
"This is our one and only chance to try and shape these statements. I would ask everyone to respond and to be nature's voice in this process."
He added, "The Planning Act, which spawned this Commission, says that ministers must 'look at the desirability of mitigating and adapting to climate change'. We want a much stronger commitment than that.
"The IPC should consider all development in the light of the Climate Change Act, which calls for an 80 per cent reduction in green house gas emissions by 2050. The National Policy Statements should be worded to make sure they do."
