Press Release
Engineering expertise key to tackling climate change, says Academy
The Royal Academy of Engineering, which promotes the technological welfare of the country, welcomes the recommendation by the Joint Committee on the Draft Climate Change Bill that engineering and environmental expertise will be key to the success of the new Committee on Climate Change proposed in the Bill. The Academy urges the Government to ensure that sound engineering advice is available to the new Committee.
The Joint Committee, reporting today (3 August) is also right to point out the potential danger of using foreign emissions credits in order to meet UK carbon budgetary requirements. It is imperative that the decarbonisation of the UK economy is not delayed, whilst still maintaining the competitiveness of UK industry.
The success of the Climate Change Bill depends on overcoming two significant challenges: in engineering to deliver the required portfolio of diverse technologies; and in society generally to gain widespread public support for achieving a low carbon economy.
Dr Sue Ion, Vice President of The Royal Academy of Engineering says:
“The Government has set extremely demanding targets for reducing domestic carbon dioxide emissions by 26-32 per cent of 1990 levels by 2020. In order to achieve this, the framework of mechanisms to control emissions must be simplified and secured for 15 to 20 years. This is crucial to increase understanding of the issues and to give private industry the necessary confidence to make large capital investments and commit funds to researching technical solutions.
“We need greater coherence in Government policy if the campaign against climate change is to be successful. Even after the re-organisation of Government departments, responsibility for various parts of energy policy and climate change is divided and the degree of inter-departmental cohesion is unclear. Clear Cabinet level responsibility and accountability is required for issues as important as climate change and energy security, as is adherence to a long term plan to deliver the required objectives.”
Latest Press Releases
- Climate Change is the responsibility of all Government Departments, not just one minister
- Academy welcomes Gordon Brown’s new focus on climate change
- IPCC Chairman challenges engineers to address climate change
- New Survey finds deep misconceptions of engineering among young people that could worsen shortfall in engineers
- Business leadership is key to diversifying the engineering workforce
- Maths Standards
- Engineering expertise key to tackling climate change, says Academy
- Joined up thinking in transport policy still lacking, warn the country's leading engineers
- Academy welcomes Government focus on Engineering Diploma
- Green Paper on Housing
Spread your message to an audience that counts, with options available for our website, email bulletins and publications including The House Magazine.
