Britain today committed to launching a clean energy revolution which will create thousands of jobs, help reduce carbon emissions and if delivered confirm the country's position as a world leader on climate change. These developments will put Britain in pole position for the transition to a low carbon economy expected by the middle of this century.

As part of the most comprehensive EU energy package so far, each EU country has agreed to massively increase its share of renewable energy generation. The UK has agreed to provide 15 per cent of its total energy (electricity, heat and transport) from renewable sources by 2020. Different EU countries have been allocated different targets depending on their circumstances.

The UK's 15 per cent target means that within twelve years around 40 per cent of our electricity must come from sources like wind, wave, tidal, solar and biomass power. This is because the target refers to "total energy" - that is heat, transport and electricity, and there is less scope for generating heat and transport fuels cleanly.

Britain enjoys the best renewable resources anywhere in Europe - especially for wind and marine renewables - and the Government's own figures show that the target is wholly achievable. However, currently the UK generates just 2 per cent of its energy from renewable sources - above only Malta and Luxembourg in the European league table. Greenpeace believes that a major shift in Government priorities must take place in order to make the target a reality.

Reacting to the news, Greenpeace Executive Director John Sauven said:

"Britain is set to embark on a clean energy revolution, and it's vital that we approach this with a can-do attitude. Gordon Brown deserves praise for committing to this target, and if his Government can deliver it we will have closed the energy gap with clean, reliable technology, created thousands of green collar jobs and safeguarded our energy supplies - as well as setting an international example on climate change.

"We now need a completely new industrial policy to make this happen, supporting the engineers and business leaders who can make the target a reality. Just as important is a step change in Government thinking, where for too long civil servants at the Department for Business have treated the renewables industry with utter contempt."

The so called "energy gap" - which the government claims will be caused by the closure of old nuclear, gas and coal plants - is estimated to represent around 30 per cent of the UK's total electricity supply. This means that the growth in renewable electricity by 2020 - that ministers are now mandated to achieve - will more than make up for any shortfall while safeguarding the environment.

The announcement also details the extent to which member states will be allowed to "trade" a proportion of their obligations with countries which have overachieved on their own targets. This could potentially mean that the UK is able to "buy" its way out of its target at a later date.

Sauven continued: "The British government should be embracing this target, not looking for ways of weaseling out of it. With the best renewables resources in Europe it would be an absolute disgrace if we had to rely on our neighbours to reach the target. If Gordon Brown wants to be seen as a world leader on climate change he simply has to meet his own responsibilities to the planet."

Greenpeace has prepared a comprehensive briefing on the subject, Europe's Renewable Energy Revolution.

ENDS

For more information contact Greenpeace on 0207 865 8255

(1) The Executive Director of Greenpeace, John Sauven, questioned the Prime Minister on this point at a Q&A session in December 2007:

JOHN SAUVEN - I just wanted to push you a bit further on the EU 20 per cent renewable energy target because I know you're waiting for the EU to report on that, probably in January. Do you accept that for the UK it will approximate at about 15 per cent of total energy which would translate, since most of it would come from electricity, at about 40 to 45 per cent of our electricity coming from renewable sources by 2020.

GORDON BROWN - Yes, I do accept that it would be a very demanding target for Britain and whether it's the figure that you mentioned or a figure around that figure we are going to have to change quite fundamentally.

Reacting to the news that the Sustainable Development Commission has endorsed plans for a tidal barrage across the Severn estuary, Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said:

“Tidal power can provide the UK with a tremendous amount of energy along with other marine renewables like wave power. And, importantly, it can do so without creating dangerous climate change emissions or nuclear waste. The Severn barrage could be a huge resource of carbon free energy, but the jury’s still out on the best way to reap the tidal power of the river without having huge environmental impacts on wading birds. Offshore wind, as a cheaper option, should also be much higher up the government's priority list. The UK has about 40% of Europe's wind resource which could be harnessed to meet our demand for energy. For example the London Array, in the Thames estuary, will supply 750,000 homes in London at a cost of around £1.5 billion."

The SDC says the project should meet "tough" environmental conditions and remain in public ownership. The barrage, it says, should have to prove its green credentials by complying with legislation protecting the estuary.

The commission estimated the cost of the project at £14bn. It is estimated that the proposed barrage would generate between 5-10% of the UK’s electricity.

For more information, contact the Greenpeace press office on 0207 865 8255.

On Monday the Sustainable Development Commission will release its report on tidal power across the UK.

In the wake of a government announcement last Tuesday, it is widely expected that the SDC will recommend further detailed appraisal of a Severn Barrage project. Greenpeace has long supported renewable energy, including getting power from the tides if the environmental impacts can be minimised.

John Sauven, Executive Director of Greenpeace UK, said:

"Tidal power can provide the UK with a tremendous amount of energy along with other marine renewables like wave power. And, importantly, it can do so without creating dangerous climate change emissions or nuclear waste. The Severn barrage could be a huge resource of carbon free energy, but the jury's still out on the best way to reap the tidal power of the river without having huge environmental impacts on wading birds.

"Offshore wind, as a cheaper option, should also be much higher up the government's priority list. The UK has about 40% of Europe's wind resource which could be harnessed to meet our demand for energy. For example the London Array, in the Thames estuary, will supply 750,000 homes in London at a cost of around £1.5 billion."

For more information contact the Greenpeace Press Office on 0207 865 8255