Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd today sought to reassure green businesses and investors of the government’s continued commitment to securing clean energy supplies and building a low carbon economy in the wake of last week’s decision to leave the European Union. In her first major speech since the referendum result, Rudd – who was a leading backer of the Remain campaign – stressed that while she still believed Brexit would result in a “harder road” for the UK as it worked to meet its climate goals, the government remained firmly committed to the emission reduction targets set out in the Climate Change Act. She also confirmed the government would announce its decision on the long-awaited Fifth Carbon Budget tomorrow, the day of the legally binding deadline for approving new carbon targets for the early 2030s. Appearing at the Business and Climate Summit in London, Rudd reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Hinkley Point nuclear power project, and emphasised that she would strive to make sure the UK secured a strong Brexit deal with the EU that supported continued investment in clean energy infrastructure. She sought to downplay speculation that the high profile Hinkley Point nuclear project could be derailed by Brexit, insisting new nuclear power was going to be a “big part of the low carbon future in the UK”. “I have spoken to the EDF chief executive [since the referendum],” Rudd said. “They are absolutely committed to going ahead with the final investment decision. We hope to have the final investment decision very soon.”

Business Green 29th June 2016 read more »

Brexit will make it harder for Britain to play its role in tackling climate change, the UK energy and climate secretary has said. But Amber Rudd said that the UK remained committed to action on global warming and Whitehall sources have told the Guardian that on Thursday she will approve a world-leading carbon target for 2032.

Guardian 29th June 2016 read more »

Ministers are expected to announce that the UK will cut carbon emissions by 57% by 2032, from 1990 levels. The announcement will help reassure the investors needed to overhaul the UK’s ageing energy system. The energy industry will be relieved after cuts in renewables subsidies and the vote to leave the EU, which influences so much of the UK’s energy. Energy Secretary Amber Rudd said climate change remained one of the most serious long-term risks to the economy. Speaking at a business and climate summit in London, Ms Rudd said: “Climate change has not been downgraded as a threat.

BBC 30th June 2016 read more »

Amber Rudd’s speech.

DECC 29th June 2016 read more »

Tom Greatrex: The full effects of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union are yet to be fully understood, and is unlikely to be until well after Article 50 is activated and negotiations formally begin. The decision to leave will effect pretty much every industry in the UK, but with no real contingency planning undertaken prior to the referendum, we will all simply have to wait. It will be important the new cabinet unit created to understand the implications fully engage with industry to ensure the best possible outcome for UK business. Despite this, today and for probably at least two years, the UK remains a member of the European Union. More importantly for the energy sector, the result to leave, just as had there been a result to remain, does not change the UK’s energy challenge. More than 24GW of generating capacity has come offline in the last six years and needs to be replaced, whether in or out of the EU. As a result, we must use the mechanisms already in place as the starting point to attract investment in the reliable, low carbon electricity generation needed to keep the lights on and meet our domestic and international emissions commitments. In fact, outside of the EU, solving this energy crisis in as low carbon a way as possible is perhaps more pertinent because we must reduce our exposure to the long term volatility of fluctuating fossil fuel prices, which would hit consumers and businesses.

Politics Home 30th June 2016 read more »