Stop Climate Chaos Coalition action

The Renewable Energy Directive is a groundbreaking piece of legislation which could kick start the energy revolution we so desperately need to tackle the dual challenges of climate change and energy insecurity.

However rather than wholeheartedly supporting this green energy plan, the UK Government has until now worked behind the scenes to seriously undermine the agreement - for example by omitting energy from aviation when calculating the renewable energy targets. SAS hopes that the hugely welcome creation of a new Department of Energy and Climate Change signals a change in direction.

The Directive will commit each country to ramping up its delivery of renewable energy by 2020. In the UK, we are publicly committed as part of the Directive to a target of providing 15% of our energy from home grown renewable sources by 2020.

Undermining the Directive would have impacts on the UK water users and beyond as outlined in SAS's Climate Change report and harm Europe's position of leadership on climate change.

As members of the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, SAS is writing to MPs underlining the importance of a strong EU Renewable Energy Directive.

For more information please visit www.stopclimatechaos.org or take the opportunity to ask your questions in person at the following event.

Stop Climate Chaos Question Time

Thursday 23rd October, 6.30pm arrival for 7.30pm start. (Finishes at 9pm)
Conference Hall, Bristol City Council House, College Green, Bristol. BS1 5TW

Your Question Time Panel!

Bryony Holden (CEO of the SW Regional Assembly) will host the event, with a panel of experts including Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat MP - North Avon), Robert Key (Conservative MP - Salisbury), Anne Snelgrove (Labour MP - Swindon), Tim Jones WDM and Graham Wynne (RSPB CEO).

Scientists state that to avert dangerous climate change we must limit temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius. Rich countries need to cut their carbon emissions by 80% and we need massive investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency.  The Southwest's environment & economy is under threat but it is poorest countries who will be the most affected despite being the least responsible. Now is a critical moment and energy is the key question. Crucial decisions, such as the Kingsnorth coal fired power station and nuclear power loom in the run up to International Climate talks in Poznan this December. We are asking the UK Government to tackle the greatest source of climate pollution in our economy: our power sector. If the UK could do one big thing to slash its carbon emissions, it would be to transform the power generation sector from one that is wasteful and heavily dependent on traditional fossil fuels to one that is highly efficient and relies on the UK's abundant renewable resources. If rich countries do not act - how can we expect poorer ones to do so?

The STOP CLIMATE CHAOS coalition (members include Surfers Against Sewage, Oxfam and RSPB) is staging energy questions times around the UK . We have panels of politicians and experts to debate the issues but mostly we need you to come along with the challenging questions about climate change, energy and the future for people and wildlife. We can have a future that's fairer, cleaner and greener, where people and nature can thrive in a safe climate and we get our energy from truly sustainable sources.

To register for your FREE place contact:  Steven Roddy on 01767 680 551 or email campaigns@rspb.org.uk To check location http://maps.bristol.gov.uk
Nearest Train Station: Bristol Temple Meads. http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/BRI/details.html

Event organised by:

RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/climate/
Oxfam http://www.oxfam.org.uk/climate
Stop Climate Chaos Coalition http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/

Back