In a joint statement today, newly elected Prime Minister David Cameron and his Lib-Dem deputy Nick Clegg promised a low-carbon economy as a centrepiece for the coalition government legislation.
Mr Clegg, speaking together with Mr Cameron in the coalition leaders’ first joint press conference, said that the combined government would mark the first time that real action would be taken in regards to protecting the environment. Mr Cameron echoed the statement saying that the new government would passionately work towards a greener economy. Both men pledged full programme measures for greenhouse gas emissions cuts.
The announcement comes on the tail of the new seven-page document that outlines the coalition government’s joint manifestos. The document includes an entire page on new environmental policies. Proposals on the list of green policies to be introduced include a smart grid with complementing meters, a green investment bank, high speed rail links, and a nationalised EV charging network.
The document also states that plans for Heathrow’s third runway will be halted, and any expansion plans for Stansted and Gatwick will be blocked. Other preventative measures include plans to require all new coal-fired power plants to have sufficient CCS technology.
However, the coalition government’s new plans may not be met with praise from the entire renewable energy industry. The government has outlined a proposal to change the ROC system, a move that has been warned against by some experts. According to industry experts changes to the ROC system could disrupt investments by undermining investor confidence. Other proposals may alienate Conservative members that have traditionally opposed renewable energy projects.
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