The Green Economy in Bristol and the West of ... - Miguel Mendonça
The Green Economy in Bristol and the West of ... - Miguel Mendonça
The Green Economy in Bristol and the West of ... - Miguel Mendonça
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Section 2: Policy<br />
it lists a number <strong>of</strong> uncerta<strong>in</strong>ties <strong>and</strong> common<br />
<strong>the</strong>mes that arise <strong>in</strong> all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pathways:<br />
• Ambitious per capita energy dem<strong>and</strong> reduction is<br />
needed. <strong>The</strong> greater <strong>the</strong> constra<strong>in</strong>ts on low carbon<br />
energy supply, <strong>the</strong> greater <strong>the</strong> reduction <strong>in</strong> dem<strong>and</strong><br />
will need to be.<br />
• A substantial level <strong>of</strong> electrification <strong>of</strong> heat<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
transport <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry is needed.<br />
• Electricity supply may need to double, <strong>and</strong> will<br />
need to be decarbonised. A grow<strong>in</strong>g level <strong>of</strong> variable<br />
renewable generation <strong>in</strong>creases <strong>the</strong> challenge <strong>of</strong><br />
balanc<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> electricity grid.<br />
• Susta<strong>in</strong>able bioenergy is a vital part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> low<br />
carbon energy system <strong>in</strong> sectors where electrification<br />
is unlikely to be practical, such as long haul freight<br />
transport <strong>and</strong> aviation <strong>and</strong> some <strong>in</strong>dustrial highgrade<br />
heat<strong>in</strong>g processes.<br />
• <strong>The</strong> pathways also show an ongo<strong>in</strong>g need for fossil<br />
fuels <strong>in</strong> our energy mix, although <strong>the</strong>ir precise long<br />
term role will depend on a range <strong>of</strong> issues such as<br />
<strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> carbon capture <strong>and</strong> storage.<br />
• Emissions from agriculture, waste, <strong>in</strong>dustrial<br />
processes <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational transport make up a<br />
small proportion <strong>of</strong> emissions today, but by 2050, if<br />
no action were taken, emissions from <strong>the</strong>se sectors<br />
alone would exceed <strong>the</strong> maximum level <strong>of</strong> emissions<br />
for <strong>the</strong> whole economy. 30<br />
This list provides a clear, concise <strong>in</strong>sight <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong><br />
dilemmas fac<strong>in</strong>g Government. However, public<br />
op<strong>in</strong>ion is largely beh<strong>in</strong>d renewable energy<br />
development. <strong>The</strong> Sunday Times commissioned a<br />
Yougov poll from November 2011 which <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>the</strong><br />
question, ‘Th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g about <strong>the</strong> country's future energy<br />
provision, do you th<strong>in</strong>k <strong>the</strong> government should be<br />
look<strong>in</strong>g to use more or less <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g?’ 31 Table<br />
11 below gives <strong>the</strong> responses by percentage.<br />
Solar is clearly ahead <strong>in</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> popularity, <strong>and</strong><br />
even w<strong>in</strong>d power, a notoriously contested technology<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UK, is some way ahead <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> next most<br />
popular, nuclear. Fossil fuel energy sources prove<br />
much less popular. <strong>The</strong> survey records <strong>the</strong> political<br />
affiliation <strong>of</strong> each respondent, which is <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>e. Selfidentified Conservative voters give<br />
notably less support to w<strong>in</strong>d <strong>and</strong> solar than do<br />
Labour <strong>and</strong> Liberal Democrat voters.<br />
Government statements <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> above documents<br />
suggest that <strong>the</strong>y are not ‘pick<strong>in</strong>g w<strong>in</strong>ners’ but lay<strong>in</strong>g<br />
down policy that can let <strong>the</strong> market pick <strong>the</strong> most<br />
efficient technologies <strong>and</strong> measures. A major<br />
discussion on energy politics, lobby<strong>in</strong>g, path<br />
dependency <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r factors which prevent a truly<br />
‘free’ market operat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> this sector is beyond <strong>the</strong><br />
scope <strong>of</strong> this report, but all are major issues <strong>in</strong><br />
determ<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g what <strong>the</strong> real pathway will <strong>in</strong>volve.<br />
<strong>The</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g section gives a brief description <strong>of</strong><br />
some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> key policies <strong>of</strong> relevance to <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
Engl<strong>and</strong> ET sector, with some case studies for<br />
illustration. In places <strong>the</strong>re will also be some detail<br />
on critiques <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> schemes or <strong>the</strong>ir h<strong>and</strong>l<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Table 11. Responses to Energy Question <strong>in</strong> November 25 2011 Sunday Times Survey<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Green</strong> <strong>Economy</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>of</strong> Engl<strong>and</strong><br />
19