Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what carbon dioxide emissions savings he now expects to be delivered by 2000 by (i) the imposition of VAT on fuel, (ii) energy savings in the public sector, (iii) new combined heat and power plant, (iv) new renewable capacity, (v) stricter building regulations and (vi) increases in efficiency of domestic appliances. [15897]
§ Mr. AtkinsAs announced by the Secretary of State on 8 March, VAT on domestic fuel and power is expected to deliver savings of 0.4 million tonnes of carbon—MtC. I continue to expect combined heat and power to deliver savings of 1 MtC and the new building regulations to contribute 0.25 MtC. I expect the contributions of the public sector and renewable energy to be as set out in the UK climate change programme subject to adjustment to reflect the reduced carbon intensity of the electricity displaced. The adjusted figures are 0.8 MtC from the public sector and 0.4 MtC from new renewable energy capacity. The carbon savings expected from improved efficiency of domestic appliances have not been separately quantified at present.