Green Energy Election Manifestos from Main UK Parties
All three main parties have added some detail on environment issues with regards to green initiatives for energy and efficiency so just who is doing what in this key area ? We investigate.
The Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats have all put some detail into their policies for their election manifesto promises although many of the key green issues have taken a back seat away from more pressing issues such as the economy. Here are some of the major plans announced by each party.
The Conservative Party
David Cameron has revitalised the slogan of “vote blue, go green” this year in their manifesto and although there is limited detail on some of these measures if the conservatives come to power then they have the following policies that they hope to implement :
- A new green infrastructure bank aimed at developing private investment in low carbon projects
- A new “green deal” which is similar to the current “pay as you save” scheme where people and businesses can get free investment in improving energy efficiency and only pay the money back if they save on their fuel bills
- The above scheme for green home make-overs would provide loans up to the value of £6,500 for home owners
- To halt the third runway planned for Heathrow
- To reform air passenger duty rates to encourage people to use cleaner fuel aircraft
The New Labour Party
There is more information to be found on the Labour party’s plans for green initiatives although part of their manifesto was saying more about why the Conservative party was the wrong choice for the nation rather than why people should vote for Labour. The policies with credentials are as follows :
- To create 400,000 new jobs in the environment goods and services sector
- To deliver 40% of the UK’s electricity from low carbon sources by 2020
- Commitment to the pay as you save energy efficiency scheme
Despite global commitments made by the UK in lowering CO2 emissions the manifesto did not reiterate the current commitment to reduce emissions by at least 42% by 2020. As we have seen in recent months the amount of energy provided by renewable energy sources appears to be falling well short of planned targets and there is a severe shortage of skilled engineers to undertake installation and development.
The Liberal Democrats
There seemed to be more meat on the manifesto from the Lib Dems on green and environmental issues and one of their leading statements is to commit to the current obligation of reducing CO2 emissions. Here’s what they are committing to from their manifesto:
- To reduce CO2 emissions by at least 40% by 2020
- To make the UK carbon neural by the middle of the century
- A fixed £400 “eco cashback” scheme for people to fit double glazing and other energy efficiency measures such as replacing old boilers
- A loan of up to £10,000 to fit energy efficiency measures which would be paid back via council tax
- A new for a “bus scrappage” scheme to provide £140 million to replace old polluting buses with new low-carbon buses to improve air quality on UK streets
- All new nuclear power stations would be blocked
So in summary almost all of the parties have similar schemes – that is to reduce CO2 emissions for the country as a whole and provide various incentives and loans to people and businesses to improve their own energy effiiency and reduce energy consumption. More details are likely of course to follow once the election has passed.
Save on Business Energy
Find the cheapest business electricity prices online.
Other Articles of Interest