08 June 2007
Britain's energy policies are an 'incoherent hotchpotch' that could fail to secure crucial supplies, tackle climate change and combat global poverty, independent experts have warned.
An assessment published on June 4 urges ministers to secure supplies more effectively by taking a firm stance on nuclear power, use of fossil fuels and renewable sources. It also calls on them to tackle the growing geopolitical influence of Russia.
The study, by Oxford University's taskforce on energy, climate change and development assistance, warns the government to improve the alignment between energy procurement and poverty reduction in the developing world.
Taskforce chair Lord Patten, the former Conservative minister and governor of Hong Kong, said policy 'just doesn't stack up'. He warned: 'It won't deliver security. It won't deliver on our commitments on climate change. It falls short of what the world's poorest countries need.'
The taskforce – which includes former diplomats, senior academics and businesspeople – notes that Britain has missed its targets on CO2 emissions.
Following the publication last month of the government's energy white paper, ministers will seek to obtain 15% of energy supplies from renewable sources. They have also paved the way for a new generation of nuclear reactors.
However, the taskforce recommends much more investment in 'carbon capture and sequestration [and] investment in other low carbon technologies'.
It criticises ministers for 'equivocating' over nuclear power – opting to await private sector building proposals – and calls for 'proper planning and regulation for a nuclear rebuild if that is to proceed.'
The study also urges Britain and the European Union to develop a 'tough, unified approach to Russia', which controls the world's largest reserves of natural gas and the third largest of oil.
The Department of Trade and Industry told Public Finance that many of Patten's criticisms were addressed by the white paper. A senior DTI source added that it also considered the 'complicated web' of international energy strategy.
PFjun2007
