Energy industry demands joined up government on renewables

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A group of 20 non-governmental organisations has urged parliament to adopt binding individual targets for energy efficiency and renewable energy generation across industry sectors.

Led by the Renewable Energy Association (REA) and the Royal Society for the advancement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), the consortium has drawn up an energy manifesto calling for 'greatly accelerated action' on sustainable energy generation.

The "Energy 2020 National Action Plan", which will be released at an RSA summit on Monday, states that measurable action must be taken throughout the industry before 2010 if the UK is to make the transition to a sustainable energy economy.

It also says that the UK should be aiming to produce 20% of its energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020, rather than the 15% target suggested by the EU.

Firm energy efficiency targets are highlighted by the REA as an important first step in the adoption of a holistic policy framework by government.

REA chief executive, Philip Wolfe, said: "These targets will be tremendously demanding unless a great deal of effort is channeled into understanding and acting on the role of consumers at one end of the chain, as well as industry at the other. The right signals from government will be essential to achieving this."

The government will also be expected to take a strong lead through its own procurement policies, and by incentivising snall-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and consumers to take part in microgeneration schemes.

RSA chairman, Gerry Acher, commented: "The RSA has been delighted to be part of this project which underlines the need for interdisciplinary thinking when it comes to the great issues of the 21st century."