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Tony Blair has set out the arguments which will influence the upcoming policy decisions regarding energy. Writing yesterday in The Times, Mr Blair suggests that current methods of energy production are unsustainable, and will need to replaced within twenty years. He draws the link between carbon emissions and global warming; saying what is now accepted wisdom, that we must produce our energy by methods whose end result is not pumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The oft-cited Stern report estimates that global GDP will suffer by between 5 and 20 per cent per year as a result of climate change if emissions aren’t cut in the coming years. When Labour came to power in 1997, they aimed to cut carbon emissions by 20% by 2010. This target now looks very ambitious.

Mr Blair also raises the issue of Britain’s dependency on other countries for energy. Although historically, Britain has been energy self sufficient, as supplies of North Sea oil and gas dwindle, we will increasingly be sourcing fuels from elsewhere. Relying on politically unstable, or even hostile, states for energy requirements presents a great risk to Britain’s national security. (See my article below] on the increasing hostility of Russia and its willingness to use its energy reserves as political currency.) Blair sums up his argument thus; “We need a policy that conforms to the rising concern about climate change and gives Britain the secure, safe and politically acceptable supplies of energy that our livelihood demands.”

This article from the Prime Minister follows on from a lengthy and controversial consultation with industry and pressure groups, resulting in a recent government white paper. Alistair Darling presented the paper in the House of Commons, and said that he held the ‘preliminary view’ that development of nuclear facilities in this country should proceed. However, the government will continue consultations, and make a full announcement in the autumn. The government favours the development of nuclear power because of its low carbon footprint, and the fact that it can be produced in this country. Critics have pointed out that the Uranium required for nuclear fission will need to be imported from somewhere, and the supplies in friendly countries such as Australia are dwindling.

Mr Darling also emphasised the government’s commitment to developing sources of alternative energy, which he hopes will cover 15 per cent of the UK’s energy requirements by 2020. It currently supplies around 5 per cent. However, the white paper reaches the conclusion that it is unrealistic to count on wind, solar and ocean power to supply this country with the majority of its energy. There is also to be more research into ‘carbon capture’ technology, which minimises the amount of carbon emissions produced by burning fossil fuels. However, this technology is still its infancy, and cannot be relied upon to reduce the country’s carbon footprint single-handedly.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 24th, 2007 at 2:33 pm and is filed under Current Affairs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.