Green Politics

CO2 Emission Reduction Targets

The debate regarding effects of CO2 emissions on climate change has all but finished, the problem has been recognised & we are no longer in denial.

The next stage has been deciding what to do about it, which has lead to governments setting ever more rigorous targets for reducing CO2 emissions:

Kyoto Protocol May 2002 -

Reduce CO2 emissions to 92% of 1990 levels by 2008/12 (The date stretched as it became evident the target would not be achieved)

Brussels Summit March 2007 -

Reduce CO2 emissions to 80% of 1990 levels by 2020 (Potential to reduce to 70% if majority of countries agree)

Climate Change Bill -

Reduce UK CO2 emissions to 40% of 1990 levels by 2050.

Having set these targets, governments are now under pressure to make them happen. It looks increasingly likely that the first one will continue to slip unless drastic action is taken.

Although there has been a lot of focus on emissions from transport 50% of the CO2 emissions in the UK are from buildings, with domestic buildings accounting for about 30% & commercial buildings 20%.

If we consider some of the ways central and local government have been addressing the issue of encouraging reducing CO2 emissions for transport:

• Higher fuel tax.
• Higher road tax duty for higher emissions vehicles.
• Higher company car tax for higher emissions vehicles.
• Congestion charging in busy cities.
• Congestion beating lanes with fines for cheats.

The theme is very much a financial incentive to encourage individuals to run lower emission cars or opt for alternative transport arrangements.

In transport we have more of a choice than buildings (living and working) & as such it has been a softer target to attack. However it is increasingly obvious that in order to achieve emissions reduction targets, buildings will need to become more energy efficient & use less fossil derived fuel energy.

New buildings are constructed to meet energy performance targets, however the big challenge is to address the existing building stock.

The Energy Bill 2010

The bill outlines “The Green Deal” which provides incentives for both businesses and home owners to install energy saving devices. From 2012, if you decide to invest in energy saving technology the bill creates a scheme that lets you borrow the money for the investment and repay through your energy bills.

Alternative Energy Technology has been set up to address that challenge in a pragmatic & cost effective way, providing solutions for energy saving & alternative energy technologies for buildings to deliver the right compromise of cost, CO2 emissions & energy consumption.