IET: Europe’s largest body of engineers and technologists criticises new official report on climate change
Today the Committee on Climate Change publishes its report on whether the UK has the right research and innovation arrangements to deliver a low carbon economy.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology gave evidence to the Climate Change Committee in 2010.
Although the report is a step in the right direction, calling for investment in emerging technologies to meet the UK’s 2050 carbon reduction targets, it does have some key weaknesses as well as exposing serious issues at a national level.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change has just announced it will cut £34 million from expenditure on low carbon technology, yet this report finds there is a need to increase funding.
The report neglects the fact that new energy technologies fail to deliver in practice unless attention is given at an early stage to wider engineering issues such as how to deliver the power to customers and how to integrate new technologies into the existing energy system. New technologies do not simply connect to the power system, they have to become an integrated part of it. The report has little to say about this key aspect.
The key issue of government leadership to focus companies and their management is not addressed to an adequate depth in the report. Government should set out the high level outcomes needed and ensure the necessary adjustments to markets and regulatory frameworks.
It is not clear where the Coalition can safely make cuts. We encourage government to reconsider the budget reductions in this area, taking a long term view that avoids stop/start developments, and adds new focus on the engineering aspects of practical implementation and operation.
John Scott, Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology says, “The Coalition need to set out what is needed, leaving the market and private companies to determine how it is best achieved. Governments must set national strategies, with targets and incentives, while companies should be the innovators and implementers.
“The report reveals alarming evidence of the UK’s position on energy research, development and demonstration compared with other countries. As a percentage of our GDP we are really paddling in the shallow end in regard to our energy programmes. No amount of consultation and reports will compensate for a lack of financial horsepower.”
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Robert Beahan
Press Officer
Tel: +44 (0)1438 767336
Mob: +44 (0)7595 400912
Email: rbeahan@theiet.org
Notes to editors:
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