Climate and Energy – 2007 Energy White Paper
The UK Government set out its policy to deliver a secure, low carbon energy mix for the UK on 23 May 2007 when it published its Energy White Paper Meeting the Energy Challenge.
- Energy White Paper (BERR website)
The White Paper builds on the Energy Review Report published in July 2006, and follows a series of public consultations launched at the time of the review.
Looking ahead to 2020, the White Paper announces specific measures that will ensure individuals, businesses and Government reduce their carbon emissions and save energy.
Key announcements
- Helping more people save energy by proposing to double energy suppliers’ current obligation to provide customers with energy efficiency measures through a new ‘Carbon Emission Reduction Target’ from 2008-2011. This will be the third phase of the scheme formally known as the Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC). For the first time this will include technology such as solar panels and would save over one million tonnes of carbon a year.
- A mandatory national scheme – the ‘Carbon Reduction Commitment’ – to require large commercial organisations to reduce their emissions. This will include banks, supermarkets and large local authorities – those businesses that usually spend more than £500,000 a year on electricity and will include between 2000 to 5000 organisations.
- Improving information on energy use to help businesses and individuals know where and how to make energy savings. A requirement for new meters to come with a real-time display from 2008 and a short term offer of free displays from energy suppliers for households to 2010. In addition, the government is encouraging the introduction of smart meters, also with displays, for households and for small firms and expects everyone to have a smart meter within 10 years, with smart meters being rolled out to all but the smallest of businesses in the next five years.
- Bills to include graphs comparing energy use with the same period in the previous year.
- Publication of a consultation paper setting out how the energy efficiency of consumer electronics will need to improve. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that at home we waste over £900million per year by leaving appliances in stand-by when not in use. Consultations for other sectors will follow later this year. See www.mtprog.com/Whitepaper.aspx
- A consultation set out the Government’s preliminary view that new nuclear power has a role to play alongside other low carbon technologies. The 20 week consultation period ended on 20 October 2007. This is available on the BERR website
- The Government is also publishing its Biomass Strategy, which seeks to realise a major expansion in the supply and use of biomass in the UK
The White Paper also affirms and develops our approach to international climate change and energy. Renewables and low carbon energy technologies will increase energy efficiency, moderate demand and enable diversity of supply – assisting energy security and reducing emissions.
Key Defra supporting material
Page last modified: 23 May 2007
Page published: 01 December, 2005