Government announces a Carbon Plan; includes installation of thousands of charging points
Tue 08 March 2011
View all news
The Coalition Government has announced its Carbon Plan - a cross-Government action plan on climate change which is backed by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. The Plan sets strict actions and deadlines for Government departments including domestic and international activity. It sets out department-by-department, actions and deadlines for the next 5 years.
The plan includes the Government’s intention to have developed a “nationwide strategy to promote the installation of electric vehicle infrastructure” by June this year. It aims to have up to 8,500 charging points installed across the UK by 2013, costing up to £30m.
The wide-ranging 83 page plan also makes a commitment to cut central Government emissions by 10 per cent by May 2012, to set an example on fuel efficiency.
The Carbon Plan sets out what has to happen and by when if the Government is to live up to its green ambitions, meet tough domestic carbon targets and encourage greater action internationally. It is focused on the jobs and economic opportunities of the low carbon economy and on policies that will help insulate Britain from future energy price shocks.
The plan has been published in draft form with the Government inviting the public and organisations to give their views on the contents. A final version will be published in the Autumn and then updated annually.
The draft Plan highlights three key changes that will be required across the UK economy, including:
* in the way electricity is generated, where a dramatic shift away from fossil fuels and towards low carbon alternatives is needed – including renewable energy, new nuclear power and fossil fuel power stations fitted with carbon capture and storage
* in the way homes and businesses are heated, where a step change is needed in how well homes are insulated and away from gas boilers to low carbon alternatives, such as heat pumps
* in the way people travel. This means more use of public transport and substituting the need for some journeys, but the greatest change will be in road transport – reducing emissions from petrol and diesel engines and moving towards alternative technologies such as electric vehicles.
Internationally, the plan sets out how the UK will work within the European Union and with other countries to promote ambitious action on climate change; support developing countries to limit emissions and adapt to climate change; and seek further progress towards a global climate change agreement.
Related Links
< Back to news list