Our view
Electricity generated from solar panels one of a number of renewable energy choices. Photo: Stock.xchng
We need to reduce energy demand
We want to see serious progress, now, towards ending the spiraling growth in energy demand, and then towards achieving a demand reduction. Without such action, installing more and more wind turbines, for example, won't actually make any difference to our overall carbon dioxide emissions because the savings achieved by renewables will be outweighed by ever increasing fossil fuel use.
The Government has recognised that energy efficiency is the cheapest, safest and cleanest way to tackle climate change. We want to see energy efficiency become the top priority in a far-reaching global action programme which also tackles road and air transport.
We need policies that protect the planet and the countryside
We believe that people should not have to choose between protecting the global and local environment. Renewable energy development should be steered to places where it impairs local countryside character as little as possible! We want to see the right renewable technologies in the right places. There should be more turbines in windy urban and industrial settings such as the Ford Dagenham site in East London or the town of Swaffham in Norfolk There should also be more Government support for low-carbon and renewable sources of heat and electricity, favouring combined heat and power systems which are inherently more efficient.
Unless the Government listens to this message, it is likely to face increasing opposition to new renewable energy development, particularly given the ever increasing number of wind turbine applications.
Local and innovative solutions are needed
We want real changes to the way we generate and use energy, including:
- local heat and power generation from sustainable sources such as local woodlands and willow crops;
- low-carbon or renewable technologies such as solar water heating, ground source heat pumps and wind turbines for homes, schools and other public buildings;
- design of buildings to achieve maximum conservation of heat and maximum use of daylight;
- energy markets which encourage consumer energy efficiency rather than encourage the consumption of energy from suppliers competing on price.
Publications
See our publications linked on the right under related documents.
> Our Policy Position Statement on Energy
> Our Policy Position Statement on Wind Turbines
See also:
> Wind farms alone won't solve our problems
> What if a big energy development is proposed near you?
