UK Climate Plan Builds on Wind, Nuclear, Clean Coal

EurActiv (7/16) – The UK yesterday (15 July) unveiled its transition strategy to a low-carbon economy, foreseeing that 40% of the country's electricity will be provided by 'clean energy' by 2020. The eagerly awaited white paper and accompanying strategy for renewable energy set out how the UK aims to meet its national target of slashing greenhouse gases by 34% from 1990 levels by 2020 as well as its EU obligation to produce 15% of energy from renewable sources by the same date.

The plan sets obligations for emissions cuts in all sectors of the economy, but the most far-reaching change is expected of the power sector, as "greening the electricity mix" is expected to deliver half of the total cuts.

The government believes that the strategy could create up to 400,000 new green jobs without a major rise in energy bills. Moreover, it would contribute to the country's energy security by halving the need to import gas.