2005 press releases

Local MP's renewable energy campaign receives huge Commons backing - Support of 220 fellow MPs makes motion 4th most popular

Lewes MP and Lib Dem Shadow Environment Secretary Norman Baker has received a massive level of support from his fellow MPs in his campaign to improve the UK's take-up of renewable heat technology. A commons motion tabled by Norman on the issue has now received the support of 220 of his fellow MPs, making his Motion the fourth most heavily-supported out of the 728 which are currently open.

Energy used for heat is responsible for a third of the UK's carbon emissions, yet renewable forms of technology which use the generation of heat to produce power such as biomass, solar heating and ground source heat pumps, could help to significantly reduce these carbon emission levels.

Speaking about his motion, Norman said:

"Following the floods of 2000, people in Lewes are well-aware of the dangers posed by climate change, fuelled by the inexorable increase in our use of carbon-based energy sources. The government's admission at the end of last year that it was unlikely to meet its own targets on reducing carbon emissions, adds additional urgency to the need to make the switch to renewable sources of energy such as renewable heat which can make a real impact in helping them to get back on track.

"I am delighted that so many of my fellow MPs realise the imperative of now doing this and have lent their support to my motion. Hopefully, the government will now take the cotton wool out of its ears and begin to take renewable energy sources such as renewable heat seriously.

"Such sources could not only play a key role in the fight to reduce carbon emissions but would also help many people, particularly in remote areas, who suffer from fuel poverty, whilst also improving security of supply in an increasingly unpredictable world, and offering essential new fuel crop markets for our struggling farmers."

A copy of Norman's motion is attached

EDM 176 RENEWABLE HEAT OBLIGATION
That this House believes that the Government's targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions require a step-change in the take-up of renewable energy; notes that while Government policies promote renewable electricity generation, little is done to promote the renewable generation of heat through technologies such as biomass, including biogas, solar heating and ground source heat pumps; further notes that energy used for heat is responsible for a third of our carbon emissions, that renewable heat technologies could cut these emissions, help tackle fuel poverty in remote areas of the country, increase fuel security, and provide new markets for the farming and forestry industry; and calls on the Government to extend the renewables obligation to support renewable heat, as recommended by the Royal Commission on Environment Pollution.

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