Christian Aid welcomes the UK government’s surprise decision to rule out new unabated coal-fired power stations – one which energy and climate change secretary, Ed Miliband, says you influenced.
That's why - if you're in Northern Ireland - we're asking you to keep the pressure up by emailing your MPs.
The government made its announcement on 23 April, adding that all new coal-fired power stations must use new emissions-reducing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology by 2025.
This represents an advance in UK power policy that ‘could only have happened with public support,’ according to a letter Miliband has written to our supporters. Read Miliband's letter.
In it, the energy secretary thanks Christian Aid supporters for speaking out.
‘You made it possible,’ he adds.
However, despite its step forward, the government still needs to do more to truly ‘clean up’ our power supply.
The government’s plan is not backed up by a robust strategy. Without this, it will struggle to meet the targets in its Climate Change Act.
We need you to write to your MPs, asking that they support Charles Kennedy’s private members bill proposing an emissions performance standard (EPS).
This would cap emissions, including those from power generation, and make the development of workable CCS imperative.
Carbon capture and storage?
It’s where carbon emissions are stopped from entering the atmosphere, and are instead stored and buried deep underground.
In theory, CCS could be revolutionary. But while Christian Aid is excited about the possible impact of workable carbon capture, such technologies remain unproven.
The government says it is committed to testing CCS – although it doesn’t yet have a plan B in case it fails.
Furthermore, we are concerned that it plans to capture only 25% of emissions from four CCS demonstration plants – and pump the outstanding 75% into the air as normal.
And amid all the excitement about at CCS, we cannot neglect renewable energy and energy efficiency, both of which are long-term, sustainable ways of ensuring people have the energy they need.
Act now
There is still plenty to do to fully clean up Britain’s power policy.
In the first instance, we need our MPs to support moves already afoot to introduce a strong EPS – and maintain our commitment to helping seal a fair deal for poor countries at this December’s UN climate summit in Copenhagen.
Email your MP now
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