The Government believes that climate change
is one of the gravest threats we face, and that
urgent action at home and abroad is required.
We need to use a wide range of levers to cut
carbon emissions, decarbonise the economy
and support the creation of new green jobs
and technologies. We will implement a full
programme of measures to fulfil our joint
ambitions for a low carbon and eco-friendly
economy.
• We will push for the EU to demonstrate
leadership in tackling international climate
change, including by supporting an increase in
the EU emission reduction target to 30% by
2020.
• We will seek to increase the target for energy
from renewable sources, subject to the advice
of the Climate Change Committee.
• We will continue public sector investment in
carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology
for four coal-fired power stations.
• We will establish a smart grid and roll out
smart meters.

We will establish a full system of feed-in tariffs
in electricity – as well as the maintenance of
banded Renewables Obligation Certificates.
• We will introduce measures to promote a
huge increase in energy from waste through
anaerobic digestion.
• We will create a green investment bank.
• We will retain energy performance
certificates while scrapping HIPs.
• We will introduce measures to encourage
marine energy.
• We will establish an emissions performance
standard that will prevent coal-fired power
stations being built unless they are equipped
with sufficient carbon capture and storage to
meet the emissions performance standard.
• We will cancel the third runway at Heathrow.
• We will refuse permission for additional
runways at Gatwick and Stansted.
• We will replace Air Passenger Duty with a
per-flight duty.
• We will introduce a floor price for carbon,
and make efforts to persuade the EU to move
towards full auctioning of ETS permits.
• Through our ‘Green Deal’, we will encourage
home energy efficiency improvements paid
for by savings from energy bills. We will also
take measures to improve energy efficiency in
businesses and public sector buildings. We will
reduce central government carbon emissions
by 10% within 12 months.
• We will reform energy markets to deliver
security of supply and investment in low
carbon energy, and ensure fair competition
including a review of the role of Ofgem.
• We will instruct Ofgem to establish a security
guarantee of energy supplies.
• We will give an Annual Energy Statement to
Parliament to set strategic energy policy and
guide investment.
• We will deliver an offshore electricity grid in
order to support the development of a new
generation of offshore wind power

We will encourage community-owned
renewable energy schemes where local people
benefit from the power produced. We will
also allow communities that host renewable
energy projects to keep the additional
business rates they generate.
• As part of the creation of a green investment
bank, we will create green financial products
to provide individuals with opportunities to
invest in the infrastructure needed to support
the new green economy.
• We will work towards an ambitious global
climate deal that will limit emissions and
explore the creation of new international
sources of funding for the purpose of climate
change adaptation and mitigation.
• Liberal Democrats have long opposed any
new nuclear construction. Conservatives,
by contrast, are committed to allowing
the replacement of existing nuclear power
stations provided that they are subject to the
normal planning process for major projects
(under a new National Planning Statement),
and also provided that they receive no public
subsidy.
• We will implement a process allowing
the Liberal Democrats to maintain their
opposition to nuclear power while permitting
the Government to bring forward the
National Planning Statement for ratification by
Parliament so that new nuclear construction
becomes possible. This process will involve:
– the Government completing the drafting of
a national planning statement and putting it
before Parliament;
– specific agreement that a Liberal Democrat
spokesperson will speak against the
Planning Statement, but that Liberal
Democrat MPs will abstain; and
– clarity that this will not be regarded as an
issue of confidence.

Stuart