Renewables White Paper will only deliver if serious action is taken this time, says CLA

The CLA welcomes the main statements in the newly published UK Low Carbon Transition Plan White Paper but sincerely hopes more of the words will be turned into action than has been the case to date. 

The UK is performing poorly compared to the rest of Europe on contribution of renewable energy despite the fact that UK climate science is a world leader.

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "Farming and forestry are already being hurt by climate change, as exemplified by floods in recent years and the invasion of Blue Tongue virus. 

"The proposed way of dealing with agricultural emissions is welcome. First reading of the suggested carbon budgets look sensible and proportionate. The stress on additional advice – and we think research – to discover ways of reducing agriculture's non-CO2 emissions is the right approach.

"The CLA also welcomes the suggested interest-free loans - provided they materialise - which we would expect to be steered mostly towards anaerobic digestion projects."

The CLA President added: "The one missing element of the Government's plan is that much more could be done to substitute renewable materials in construction, such as timber, and hemp-based insulation, to replace heavily emitting materials like concrete, steel and brick."

CLA Chief Surveyor Oliver Harwood commented on the Renewable Energy Strategy, also published today. He said it was a step forward on all renewables that matter to land managers in England and Wales.

"It confirms the direction the CLA has been calling on Government to adopt for many years - that we urgently need to engage individuals and small and medium-sized businesses in creating a local renewable energy revolution," he said.

"However, the CLA has deep concerns that the agenda for renewable heat seems again to be playing second fiddle to that for renewable electricity.

"The use of heat accounts for nearly half the UK's greenhouse gas emissions and saving carbon by using biomass heat is a significantly cheaper option than through electricity generation. So, we remain disappointed that guarantees on the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive have not been forthcoming, and we are to be subjected to yet another consultation on the issue."

To view the papers please visit: www.hmg.gov/lowcarbon

To view the CLA's renewables web page please visit: www.cla.org.uk/Policy_Work/Renewable_Energy/

CLA MEDIA CONTACTS:

For further information and interviews:

Phillippa Coates, Press Officer, 020 7460 7934, phillippa.coates@cla.org.uk

Oliver Wilson, Director of Communications, 020 7460 7936 or 07702 928828, ollie.wilson@cla.org.uk,

Out of hours: 020 7201 9511.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Agriculture is different as far as climate change is concerned. The most significant Green House Gases emitted in farming are not carbon dioxide, but methane from animals and their manure, and from nitrous oxide which is created by microbial action in the soil and the application of nitrogen fertilisers.  Agriculture also can store carbon in soil and trees – which no other sectors of the economy can offer.  

2. The CLA Game Fair, the world's biggest countryside event, will be held at Belvoir Castle, near Grantham, Leicestershire from Friday, 24 July – Sunday, 26 July.  For full details and to apply for Press Passes to the show:  www.gamefair.co.uk  Contact: Fiona Eastman, Director of Marketing and Show Development, fiona.eastman@cla.org.uk or Marishelle Gibson, Senior Press Officer, marishelle.gibson@cla.org.uk