Member News
An Energy Bill will aim to introduce access to energy efficiency measures to homes and business.
Energy Bill
As outlined in the coalition document, an Energy Bill will introduce access to energy efficiency measures to homes and business. Although other aspects of the Bill are drawn from both Conservative and Liberal Democrat manifestos, the headline change of the Bill will be seen as Lib Dem-led policy.
Seen as a victory for Chris Huhne and the Liberal Democrats, the Bill takes forward the Liberal Democrat policy pledge for an 'eco-cashback' scheme.
It advocates a 'pay as you save' approach to energy efficiency, giving households and supplier monetary incentives to reduce their carbon emissions and energy consumption.
Regulating carbon emissions from coal-fired power stations will be another part of the Bill which is the result of a true mix of policy pledges from the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
Plans are also in place to reform how energy markets deliver a secure supply of energy, whilst at the same time maintaining a low-carbon economy. In their manifesto, the Conservatives pledged to reform Ofgem to place a duty on the regulator to ensure there was adequate capacity within the electricity market and proper storage facilities for gas.
The development of a smart grid would completely change the way in which the current supply and demand for energy is managed. This commitment follows on from both Conservative and Liberal Democrat policies prior to the general election.
To underpin these measures, a green investment bank, proposed by both parties, will be created to support the new investment in low carbon projects.
Keep track of the Energy Bill via our legislation page.
Stakeholder Response: Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation (TIMCON)
We are pleased that the new coalition Government is putting the environment high up its agenda. The Energy Bill will aim to improve energy efficiency and encourage 'green' businesses.
As one of the most environmentally friendly British industries, and a key employer in this country, the timber packaging and pallet sector will be highlighting key points to policy makers.
It is absolutely vital that politicians understand the issue of biomass – which includes the growing of natural materials to burn as fuel. TIMCON is fully supportive of any strategy that includes using natural fuels; however, we are opposed to subsidies that will encourage diversion of vital timber supplies from commercial uses for burning immediately.
The original aim of subsidies was to encourage incremental harvesting of biomass from thinnings of marginal land, which TIMCON supports fully. However, the policy has evolved – unintentionally we believe – so it now also artificially supports the burning of small logs, rather than processing them as we do in the packaging and pallet industry.
Instead, policy must focus on encouraging existing uses for timber – including packaging and pallets – so it is used for several years and the maximum benefit taken of this carbon-storing material before it is utilised as fuel.
Timber contributes to reducing climate change. Timber has a negative carbon footprint – it reduces the carbon footprint of any business that uses it; it is the most environmentally friendly packaging material and can be substituted for materials with less green credentials; and, if timber use increases, so too will the size of the forests we grow to cater for this demand.
Stakeholder Response: Geoff Arnold, Chairman of the UK Timber Frame Association
There's no doubt that the Energy Bill will be a weighty, yet well considered piece of legislation, but as always the devil will be in the detail. However, any measures that look to promote enhanced energy efficiency and advance the country's low carbon agenda are to be welcomed.
The Green Deals concept simply refers to existing properties and greening existing housing stock; the question remains however, whether enhanced energy efficiency can ever be effective if this means renewables are simply bolted onto poorly built structures. In my opinion, of course they can't. So as regulatory change takes place, the emphasis should now be focused on putting the fabric first and designing in energy efficiency from the outset. This is essential for new builds if we are going to meet the outlined energy efficiency targets in a cost-effective way. It's time to look past the obvious 'green' argument and understand how construction methods work in real world situations, in line with new regulations.
We certainly look forward to reviewing the finer details of this bill, especially if the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition agrees to implement a full programme of sustainability measures including a revision of the Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH).
Stakeholder Response: Dr. James Cooper, head of government affairs, Woodland Trust
A Green Investment Bank has a role to play in co-ordinating the finance that may be needed to push the UK towards a low carbon economy and society. The Trust is keen that such a Bank be encouraged to finance tree planting, alongside other low carbon infrastructure development like new low carbon transportation. Investing in green infrastructure projects – such as woodland creation and tree planting – can remove carbon from the atmosphere, enhance air quality, alleviate the impacts of flooding, support ecosystems services and encourage healthy living.
Quite simply there is a compelling case for using a Green Investment Bank to fund native woodland creation and tree planting as part of wider Green Infrastructure strategies.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.