With a new government, bringing together both Conservative and Liberal Democrat ministers and opinions, comes a crucial opportunity to revamp and drive forward with environment and climate policies. An article in the Guardian by Adam Vaughan examines the key policy areas and what we can expect from a new wave of politicians.
Policies range from energy sources, such as nuclear power and solar photovoltaics with their associated feed-in-tariffs, to the carbon cuts and national renewable energy targets that drive their development.
Both the Lib Dems and the Conservatives have supported strong carbon emission cuts, with the Lib Dems suggesting an aggressive 40% target by 2020 should be set. In order to achieve these cuts, the coalition government will be backing investment in renewable technologies, though the Conservatives will not show a strong preference or backing for any one technology.
For the individual or householder, the coalition government will continue to back green energy loans for domestic micro-generation and may go further with financial incentives than the previous government.
Importantly, according to Vaughan, both parties in the coalition are “committed to pursuing a global deal to cut greenhouse gas emissions”. An important test ground in this agenda will be the further round of global climate talks this December in Mexico.
Read the Guardian article