Britain tries to block European targets for renewable energy

[struggle4progress]

David Adam, environment correspondent
Tuesday February 13, 2007
The Guardian

Britain is trying to block new European rules that would set binding targets on renewable energy generation to tackle climate change, according to leaked papers.

The European commission wants to force member states to generate 20% of their energy by 2020 from green sources such as wind power and wood chip boilers. But Britain has argued against such a binding goal, saying countries need the "flexibility" to set their own targets ...

An industry source said Department of Trade and Industry officials had admitted at a meeting last month that current policies would see 4%-5% of UK energy produced from renewable sources by 2020.

Tony Juniper, head of Friends of the Earth, said: "If the UK government wants to be a world leader in tackling climate change it should be pushing for tough targets to cut emissions, not trying to water them down. Britain has enormous potential for developing renewable energy, which is a key solution for cutting emissions." ...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,,2011781,00.html