Industry Bodies Unite To Influence Election Agenda

A number of UK renewable energy  trade bodies have joined forces to make sure that the next general election will occur with a greater understanding of renewable energies input into national energy supply. Reflecting the 15% share of the power generation in Britain that renewable sources, the grouping is not holding back in ensuring renewable energy is firmly on the agenda as the nation chooses its next leadership.

Solar UK has been vocal in encouraging trade bodies to step up and push the renewable agenda forward in the government and publics mind, and applauds the latest development. With global energy supplies prone to an increasing number of external variables there is a current desire for stable and local energy sources, providing a perfect opportunity for the grouping to influence the election agenda.

The grouping, which includes ADBA (Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association), BHA (the British Hydropower Association), the British Photovoltaic Association, the Renewable Energy Association, RenewableUK, Scottish Renewables and the Solar Trade Association, has launched a renewables manifesto statement and campaign hosted on the Action for Renewables website.

The group has launched a "key tests" manifesto for all political parties ahead of the next general election. The trade bodies have set out six key tests for the next Government, and a campaign has been launched encouraging members of the public to write to the different party leaders to encourage them to take forward the principles into the General Election.

The Action for Renewables website  encourages public support for more renewable energy and is chaired by environmentalist Dr Tony Juniper.

Renewables are set to provide nearly a third of Britain's energy needs by 2020. Renewables are based on new and exciting technologies that are steadily getting cheaper for consumers. Whether through gas shocks from Russia or oil shocks from the Middle East, renewable energy will protect British businesses and consumers.

The six key tests laid out by the grouping are:

1. Support the Climate Change Act to keep us on course to meet our carbon commitments and back global efforts to tackle climate change.

2. Set a new renewables target for 2030 of 30% of UK energy

3. Back the Independent Committee on Climate Change's recommendation to set a binding target for low carbon electricity by 2030.

4. Fund the Renewable Heat Incentive for new applications after 2016.

5. Boost the UK's Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation to reach the 10% renewable energy target for transport by 2020.

6. Reform the EU Emissions Trading Scheme to ensure the market takes account of all sectors' polluting cost of carbon emissions.

Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Tony Juniper, Chair of Action for Renewables and former Executive Director of Friends of the Earth said, "The renewable energy bodies have come together with clear and simple propositions. We need consistent and strong backing for renewable energy, not only to cut carbon emissions and tackle climate change, but also to harness the opportunities for growth and jobs and reduce our reliance on dirty fossil fuel imports from insecure parts of the world. A range of technologies have important roles to play and I hope voters will contact Party Leaders and ask them to support out manifesto because none of these technologies can flourish without political backing".