Yesterday the announcement of a 20 week public consultation on nuclear energy drew most attention from the UK media. But to my opinion, the other measures and policies in the White Paper are far more important and interesting. The determination to become a low carbon economy is the central message, and you cannot do that without sustainable energy.

The White Paper on Energy is a comprehensive 350 page manual for policies and measures regarding energy savings and renewable energy. They should call it the Big White Book. All sectors are covered in-depth, all types of energy consumers can find themselves in several places in this bulky report. Energy companies will become energy saving companies, a zero emission status will be mandatory for all new houses from 2016, electronic appliances will be scrutinised for their stand-by energy use and efficiency, increased targets for renewable energy, a tax exemption for combined heat and power, reformation of the planning system for new (renewable energy) sites: three years ago such a set of sustainable energy plans was really inconceivable.

With such a large bulk of plans, many can be criticised. But the conclusion is inevitable: the UK is pushing towards a low carbon economy, and wants to convince all parties to come along. Companies are invited to make large scale investments, citizens are challenged to take sustainable and renewable energy measures at home, and on an international level other countries are teased to beat the Big White Book. The best way to convince partner countries in establishing a global post-Kyoto agreement is to show off with examples.

The UK government seems to be well aware of this.

Rolf de Vos

Chief Editor

GreenPrices Newsdesk