Why Renewable Energy

Towards a low carbon economy

A wide-ranging plan to move the UK onto a permanent low carbon footing and to maximise economic opportunities, growth and jobs was published by the Government in July 2009.

The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan plots out how the UK will meet the cut in emissions set out in the budget of 34% on 1990 levels by 2020.

A 21% reduction has already been delivered – equivalent to cutting emissions entirely from four cities the size of London.

Transforming the country into a cleaner, greener and more prosperous place to live is at the heart of the Government’s economic plans for Building Britain’s Future and ensuring the UK is ready to take advantage of the opportunities ahead

By 2020:

• More than 1.2 million people will be in green jobs
• 7 million homes will have benefited from whole house makeovers, and more than 40% of electricity will be from low carbon sources, 30% from renewables, the rest from nuclear (including new build) and clean coal.
• We will be importing half the amount of gas that we otherwise would
• The average new car will emit 40% less carbon than now

Around 50% of the annual emissions cuts between now and 2020 will be achieved by further greening of the electricity mix.

A new Office for Renewable Energy Deployment in DECC has also been launched to accelerate the growth of renewables in the UK.