PM's 10 Point Green Plan falls far short

Responding to the government’s 10 point plan for a green industrial revolution, outlined this evening, Friends of the Earth’s head of policy Mike Childs said: 

“Despite a number of positive commitments, the Prime Minister’s 10 point plan falls far short of the ambitious policy overhaul needed to demonstrate real global leadership on the climate crisis.

“A much bolder approach is needed if the UK is to create the hundreds of thousands of new green jobs and other benefits that building a cleaner, safer future will bring. 

“While the phase-out of petrol and diesel cars and the pledge to build a much larger offshore wind industry are very welcome, the government must also encourage the development of onshore wind and commit to ending gas-fired heating in our homes. Without a much swifter switch to heat pumps the UK’s carbon commitments may not be met. 

“We have the ability to build a zero-carbon future, but we need tough and urgent action from our politicians at all levels - and with the world spinning towards catastrophic climate change we don’t have time to waste.”

ENDS

Further points on government’s green plan:

Local action
The green industrial revolution can’t be delivered without the full and active participation of local councils. More resources and powers must be provided to local authorities.

Phasing out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030
Accelerating the phase-out of new diesel and petrol cars is very welcome news, which will help cut air pollution as well as climate-wrecking emissions.

Low carbon hydrogen
A commitment to low carbon hydrogen is necessary, but the Prime Minister must be clear that the hydrogen should be produced using renewable power and not fossil fuels. 

Green homes
The extension of the green homes grant is welcome. But teething problems need fixing and it needs to be a ten year programme, not a one-year investment. 

Wind power
The offshore wind announcement was warmly welcomed when made previously but we also need to boost onshore renewables, including onshore wind which is currently hindered by unfavourable planning treatment. 

Tree planting
More could be done on tree planting, with the targeted at least doubled if we want to restore nature and suck carbon out of the air. 

Nuclear power
The idea that small modular nuclear reactors and large-scale nuclear can produce electricity at an affordable price doesn’t bear scrutiny and it looks once again that the government is going to fall for the nuclear industry PR with consumers picking-up the tab.