HC Deb 30 June 1998 vol 315 cc122-3W
Mr. Stunell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what measures are planned by his Department to achieve(a) the EU 12.5 per cent. target and (b) the national 20 per cent. target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in each of the sectors identified in the European Commission's First Analysis report; [47575]

(2) to what extent his target of a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010 will be realised by combined heat and power generation. [47576]

Angela Eagle

We intend to issue a consultation paper in the summer on policy options for delivering our climate change targets. This will focus on our 12.5 per cent. legally binding commitment from Kyoto as well as considering how we might move beyond that towards our domestic aim of a 20 per cent. reduction in CO2 emissions by 2010. We will be looking at the scope for savings from improved energy efficiency by business and in the home; lower transport emissions; and an increase in the electricity generated from renewables. Combined heat and power (CHP) will also play an important part in helping us meet our targets. We have published a report which shows the economic potential for CHP is between 10,000 and 17,000 Megawatts (MW), depending on the assumptions made on future energy prices, users' required rate of return on investment, and other factors. Every 1,000 MW of CHP can reduce carbon emissions by up to 1 million tonnes per year. We will set a firm target as part of the new UK Climate Change Programme.