Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets

On his first day in office David Cameron promised “the greenest government ever”, having told the electorate to “vote blue to go green”. Just yesterday, climate change secretary Chris Huhne wrote an op-ed in the Financial Times calling for Europe to raise its climate ambition and toughen up its 2020 carbon target.

David-Cameron-huskies Meanwhile, also yesterday, the Treasury announced it was shelving the green investment plan which would see some state assets sold to generate money for clean energy funds.

And today the Financial Times reports that the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has made a further cut of £85 million – including £34m that would have gone to clean energy business programmes.

In what appears to be a cynical ploy, the government have announced the cuts just a few days before their independent advisers on how to build a low carbon economy, the Committee on Climate Change, are expected to call for clean energy funding to be maintained or increased.

As the FT reports:

“The £85m cuts… will fall as the Climate Change Committee, the statutory body that advises on emissions, prepares to report that funding levels for business support should be safeguarded.”

The Department have made the following cuts today:

• The Carbon Trust will receive a £12.6 million cut to this year’s grant for low carbon technology and business support funding;

• £6.1 million from “programme budgets within DECC”;

• £4.7 million from “cancelling the final funding rounds of the Bio-Energy Capital Grants Scheme and the Bio-Energy Infrastructure Scheme”;

• The department will cut £1 million from funding for development of deep geothermal energy generation;

• They have cut £3 million from the Offshore Wind Capital Grants Scheme;

• They will close the Energy Saving Trust technology trials, cutting £700,000 from the £3 million pound programme; and

• They will reducing the scope of the Central Government Low Carbon Technology Programme by cutting £2.9 million.

Responding, the executive director of Greenpeace UK John Sauven said:

“Cameron’s promises of this Government being the greenest ever are beginning to crumble in the light of the Department of Energy and Climate Change cuts.

“We have the opportunity to grasp the industries of tomorrow in renewable energy, electric vehicles and energy-efficient business but we need Government action not words.”

And the shadow climate change and energy secretary Ed Miliband said:

“The government is cutting support for green jobs and green industries at exactly the time we need it most. They have no plan for economic growth, just cuts.

“On the one hand Chris Huhne calls for a clean energy revolution but with the other he is taking away vital support that Labour delivered for green jobs and green industry.

“On the one hand they call for tough carbon emissions targets but with the other they take away the means to achieve these targets.

“Climate change is the ultimate market failure and requires active government to shift our economy towards growth where the planet no longer pays the price. Instead this coalition have turned their backs on green industry. They have shown their true colours today.”

Also today, writing in The Independent, award winning columnist Johann Hari writes a devastating critique of Cameron’s green record so far, concluding:

“Yes, David Cameron hugged the huskies in opposition. But as soon as he got into government, he walked them into the Downing Street garden, and shot them in the head.”

http://twitter.com/jossgarman/status/18686711171 Joss Garman

New cuts to clean energy budgets – just blogged here http://bit.ly/ame6cX
http://twitter.com/campaigncc/status/18686943388 Climate Campaign

RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/andy_s_64/status/18686952257 Andy Sutherland

RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/jamieandrews/status/18686985637 Jamie Andrews

RT @jossgarman: New cuts to clean energy budgets – just blogged here http://bit.ly/ame6cX
http://twitter.com/uponnothing/status/18687020627 Kevin Arscott

RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/averyps/status/18687024089 Phil BC

RT @leftfootfwd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6 << <Moronic
http://twitter.com/oxkev/status/18688388439 Oxford Kevin

RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/jessfitch/status/18688524385 Jessica Fitch

RT @Ed_Miliband: RT @leftfootfwrd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/thegreendesk/status/18688569687 The Green Desk

RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/emmabob3/status/18689020863 Emma Adams

RT @Ed_Miliband: RT @leftfootfwrd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/camutictok/status/18689095188 Gary Stroud

RT @Ed_Miliband: RT @leftfootfwrd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/mulberrybush/status/18689942205 diana smith

RT @Ed_Miliband: RT @leftfootfwrd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/newleftproject/status/18690023265 NewLeftProject

RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/gideonthomas/status/18690615593 Gideon Thomas

RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/andrewmontanajr/status/18690833183 Andrew Montana Jr.

Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean … http://bit.ly/90B4D2
http://twitter.com/vinsumner/status/18691029666 vinsumner

RT @Ed_Miliband: RT @leftfootfwrd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/lucy_barratt/status/18691652646 Lucy

how on EARTH to they propose to make longterm savings if they make cuts from the industry aimed at just that http://bit.ly/ame6cX
http://twitter.com/lucy_barratt/status/18691733784 Lucy

how on EARTH do they propose to make long term savings if they make cuts from the industry aimed at just that http://bit.ly/ame6cX
Robert

The cleanest way to travel is of course rail, the most expensive way to travel is also rail, does anyone really believe that new labour were doing anything else but playing at going green, flying all over the place to have meetings, then running around the world going to war, but hell a few more wind turbine will help 10 million people back to work, heck lets give the Germans the contracts or the dutch, cheaper.
http://twitter.com/samirashackle/status/18692713863 Samira Shackle

Good @leftfootforward post on the coalition's green cuts http://bit.ly/ame6cX
http://twitter.com/jameskennell/status/18693087727 jameskennell

RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/theneweconomics/status/18693806131 nef

Cameron has already forgotten those huskies. Massive cuts to green spending announced. @leftfootfwd has the details: http://bit.ly/9HP3Re
http://twitter.com/annedyecabe/status/18693866105 Anne Dye

RT @theneweconomics: Cameron has already forgotten those huskies. Massive cuts to green spending announced. @leftfootfwd has the details: http://bit.ly/9HP3Re
http://twitter.com/hallymk1/status/18693965765 Richard Hall

RT @theneweconomics: Massive cuts to green spending announced http://bit.ly/9HP3Re [via @leftfootfwd]
http://twitter.com/ecolabs/status/18694144872 jody boehnert

RT @theneweconomics: Cameron has already forgotten those huskies. Massive cuts to green spending announced. @leftfootfwd has the details: http://bit.ly/9HP3Re
http://twitter.com/thinkingmuslim/status/18694144470 ThinkingMuslim

RT @theneweconomics: Cameron has already forgotten those huskies. Massive cuts to green spending announced. @leftfootfwd has the details: http://bit.ly/9HP3Re
http://twitter.com/thegreenparty/status/18694346083 The Green Party

RT @leftfootfwd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets – http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/aidanbtw/status/18694394241 Aidan White

RT @TheGreenParty: RT @leftfootfwd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets – http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/j_shirtcliffe/status/18694443514 James Shirtcliffe

RT @TheGreenParty: RT @leftfootfwd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets – http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
Simon

No doubt they still believe that the markets will magic something up.
http://twitter.com/jamiepotter/status/18694636156 Jamie Potter

RT @HallyMk1: RT @theneweconomics: Massive cuts to green spending announced http://bit.ly/9HP3Re [via @leftfootfwd]
http://twitter.com/nirgunapa/status/18694840885 Colin Cheesman

RT @TheGreenParty: RT @leftfootfwd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets – http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/brumgreens/status/18694867822 Birmingham Greens

RT @TheGreenParty: RT @leftfootfwd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets – http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/pwb/status/18695082204 pwb

RT @TheGreenParty: RT @leftfootfwd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets – http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/jeevanrai/status/18695122928 Jeevan Rai

RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/greenmop/status/18695549082 Green Mop

RT @TheGreenParty: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets – http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/otheruby/status/18695919573 Gemma

RT @theneweconomics: Cameron has already forgotten those huskies. Massive cuts to green spending announced. @leftfootfwd has the details: http://bit.ly/9HP3Re
http://twitter.com/ladyroisin/status/18696384101 LadyRoisin

RT @TheGreenParty: RT @leftfootfwd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets – http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/bananaoffice/status/18696482163 Ashley Price

RT @greenmop: RT @TheGreenParty: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets – http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
Mr. Sensible

Joss, I understand that Osborne still plans to sell off things like High Speed 1? I think those plans were a mistake under Labour, and are a mistake now, but now the end product has gone…
http://twitter.com/lancastercoho/status/18696883505 Lancaster Cohousing

RT @TheGreenParty: RT @leftfootfwd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets – http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/green_mac/status/18696885059 Ian McCulloch

RT @TheGreenParty: RT @leftfootfwd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets – http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/aktaraja/status/18697422042 aktaraja

RT @Ed_Miliband: RT @leftfootfwrd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/greentomatonrg/status/18697744637 Green Tomato Energy

RT @Ed_Miliband: RT @leftfootfwrd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/adampogonowski/status/18698554173 Adam Pogonowski

RT @TheGreenParty: RT @leftfootfwd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets – http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/skatingviking/status/18699248499 Rhys Howell

RT @theneweconomics: Cameron has already forgotten those huskies. Massive cuts to green spending announced. @leftfootfwd has the details: http://bit.ly/9HP3Re
http://twitter.com/tiggertherese/status/18701605896 Therese

RT @theneweconomics: Cameron has already forgotten those huskies. Massive cuts to green spending announced. @leftfootfwd has the details: http://bit.ly/9HP3Re
http://twitter.com/dbudlov/status/18701808958 d

RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/enviromentalist/status/18702881132 Clare Topping

RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets http://bit.ly/ame6cX
http://twitter.com/sbelfield/status/18708063727 Stephen Belfield

RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets http://bit.ly/ame6cX
http://twitter.com/robw91/status/18713722390 Robert Williamson

RT @TheGreenParty: RT @leftfootfwd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets – http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/ibstock_does/status/18716423728 Jon OFarrell Ibstock

RT @enviromentalist: RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets http://bit.ly/ame6cX
http://twitter.com/penn48/status/18757171390 P. S. Wong

RT @uponnothing: RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/articbears/status/18758332217 paul and ron

RT @Ed_Miliband: RT @leftfootfwrd Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
http://twitter.com/call4news/status/18788351108 Call4.org

RT @leftfootfwd: Coalition calls for greater ambition on climate – then cuts clean energy budgets: http://bit.ly/a3gVI6
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http://www.jossgarman.com/?p=660 New clean energy cuts threaten low-carbon economic progress and new jobs | Joss Garman

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