LibDems aim for end to coal-fired UK power

The Liberal Democrats would introduce an ambitious decarbonisation target if they came to power after next year’s general election.

Their recently published manifesto also includes include legal targets for clean air and water, and an end to coal power stations.

The plans include new rights to access green space, new marine and coastal reserves, the roll out of an electric vehicle charging point network, ambitious waste reduction plans and new regulations to boost energy efficiency and renewable heat to cut energy bills.

The party is proposing five green laws:

• a Heating and Energy Efficiency Bill: key measures include building on the Green Deal with a national programme to raise the energy efficiency standards for all Britain’s households. The Liberal Democrats will boost renewable and district heating programmes and heat saving standards;

• a Zero Carbon Britain Bill: key measures include introducing a decarbonisation target for electricity generation, expanding the powers of the Green Investment Bank and banning electricity generated from unabated coal;

• a Zero Waste Britain Bill: key measures include establishing a “Stern Report” on resource use, with binding targets and a clear action plan to reduce waste and end biodegradable landfill;

• a Green Transport Bill: key measures include establishing a full network of charging points for electric cars, only allowing low emission vehicles on the roads; and

• a Nature Bill: key measures include legal targets for biodiversity, clean air, clean water and access to green space.

Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said: “Liberal Democrats see our duty to protect our environment for future generations as a central political and moral challenge. This is not something we can, or should, try and sidestep. In this Parliament, we’ve made a big step forward, particularly on green energy, but other areas have not seen such progress. So we want to use the next Parliament to make a major leap forward on the environmental agenda across the board.

Paul King, CEO of the UK Green Building Council, commented: “This is a wide ranging and ambitious set of plans, and raises the bar for other parties to respond to. It's refreshing to see such positive language which addresses the opportunities of a green economy. This can and should be a race to the top for political parties.

“Energy bills are going to be one of the top issues at the next election. The Lib Dems are right to commit to a national energy efficiency programme, but this needs to be able to compete for capital investment with other infrastructure priorities if it is going to be of sufficient scale, while a Zero Carbon Britain Bill must also recognise and build upon the existing targets for zero carbon homes and buildings.”