Government Low Carbon Plan "Greenwash" says Redland Group

Local environmental group Sustainable Redland has described the government's Low Carbon Transition Plan, released last month, as "a bit greenwashy."

The

group, which aims to act locally to reduce reliance on fossil-fuel and

its environmental impact, has highlighted what it sees as a number of

problems with the plan. These include its emphasis on "clean coal" and

its claims that Britain has already reduced carbon emissions by 21%.

The group claims that this figure is misleading as it ignores aviation

and shipping and because much of Britain's manufacturing sector has

been outsourced overseas and is therefore not counted in the

government's figures.

Key items in the government's plan to reduce carbon emissions by 18% by 2020 include:

- producing 30% of electricity from renewable sources

- trialling capture and storage technologies from four coal-powered stations

- building new nuclear power plants

- providing £3.2 billion to help households become more energy efficient, including placing "smart meters" in every home

- investing £180 million in wind and marine energy

- cutting CO2 from new cars by 40%

The

Sustainable Redland group has started a number of initiatives since its

formation in 2005. These include the Whiteladies Road Farmers Market, a

local Carbon Rationing Action Group, installing 20 solar domestic water

heating systems in local homes and taking an active part in the Metford

Road Community Orchard.

Image Magic Foundry