WIREDGOV

As David Cameron prepares to meet global leaders for climate talks in Paris today (Monday), the TUC has called on the Prime Minister to protect vital funding for low-carbon projects in the UK.

The Conservative Party promised in its 2015 election manifesto that it would “protect our planet for our children by committing £1bn for carbon capture and storage”.

However, ministers announced in last week’s Spending Review that the government would no longer deliver on this £1bn pledge.

The TUC says the decision could have dire consequences for jobs and vital initiatives like the White Rose Project in Yorkshire.

Research published in October showed that with proper support the
White Rose Project could create hundreds of construction and supply-chain jobs in the region.  And it could help steel, chemical and other heavy industries to cut emissions and save on energy costs.

The Carbon Capture and Storage Association say that investing in carbon capture technology could create 15,000 new jobs in the UK over the next 15 years.

However, despite promising to be the “greenest government” ever, since 2010 the Prime Minister has:

• Applied the Climate Change Levy to renewable energy
• Cut renewable energy subsidies for onshore wind
• Cut subsidies for larger solar power schemes
• Cut subsidies for small-scale renewable projects

Tens of thousands joined the Climate, Jobs and Justice march in London on Sunday to call on politicians to invest in low-carbon and clean energy projects.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Trade unions and businesses want to work together to make Britain a global leader in clean energy and green jobs.

“But the government is putting this at risk by refusing to honour its commitment to properly fund renewable energy and low carbon technology.

“If we don’t invest in the industries of the future we will not be able to help the industries of today, like steel, to become cleaner and more profitable.

“David Cameron vowed to lead the greenest government ever. So far his record suggests the opposite.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
• Follow the TUC on Twitter: @The_TUC and follow the TUC press team @tucnews

Contacts:

Media enquiries:

Alex Rossiter  T: 020 7467 1285  M: 07887 572130  E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk
Tim Nichols  T: 020 7467 1388  M: 07808 761844  E: tnichols@tuc.org.uk
Michael Pidgeon  T: 020 7467 1372  M: 07717 531150  E: mpidgeon@tuc.org.uk
Elly Gibson (Mon to Wed)  T: 020 7467 1337  M: 07900 910624  E: egibson@tuc.org.uk