News update from Eddie Proffitt 15/5/10

16.05.2010

News update from Eddie Proffitt 15/5/10

1. "The new Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne has now started work, joined by Charles Hendry and Greg Barker as Ministers of State.

Chris Huhne outlined his priorities in his new role:

“Climate change is the greatest threat to our common future. We have a very short period of time to tackle the problem before it becomes irreversible and out of control.

“A lot of progress has been made, but we must now go further, faster and turn targets into real change.
“This is a coalition to provide strong and stable government for this country. The benefits of the low carbon economy are agreed between both parties, this is a priority agenda common to both manifestos.

“Together we have the opportunity to make this the greenest government in our history. And to put energy security, for too long a second order issue, at the heart of the UK's national security strategy.

“I intend to make decisions put off for too long to fundamentally change how we supply and use energy in Britain.
“To make it far easier for people to make their homes more energy efficient to reduce wasted energy and cut their bills.

“To give the power industry the confidence it needs to invest in low carbon energy projects.

“To create jobs and growth right across the low carbon economy.

“And to use every influence we have internationally to get a global deal to tackle climate change.”

2. Carbon emissions from central government will be cut by 10% in the next 12 months, Prime Minister David Cameron announced today. This is the most ambitious commitment on UK Government emissions ever made – and will provide strong and decisive leadership on green issues helping to deliver better value for money and make a contribution to reducing the record deficit.

Government department headquarters will also publish online in real time their energy use so that the public can hold ministers and civil servants to account for their carbon footprint.

Prime Minister David Cameron, addressing DECC staff in London, said: "I don’t want to hear warm words about the environment. I want to see real action. I want this to be the greenest government ever."

Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change said: "The benefits of the low carbon economy are agreed between both parties, this is a priority agenda common to both manifestos."