Empty properties

The Green Party will be publishing a list of empty properties in Barnet that could house thousands of families, before the General Election.  The buildings could also be used as desperately-needed community facilities such as free meeting places, local libraries, local doctors surgeries, schools, youth centres, popular education, pop up shops, places of worship, changing facilities, public toilets and so much more.

The list will include Church Farmhouse Museum, Clitterhouse Farm, and several mansions on the Bishops Avenue thought to belong to just one family.

The proposals come as VAT on refurbishment and maintenance stands at 20%.  Whilst there is no magic bullet to solve all our problems, a fairer tax system would go a long way to ending this criminally wasteful property market.

Local celebrity campaigner Jasmin Parsons has criticised the Government for going back on its promises to provide Council housing.

Housing Committee is expected to meet at Hendon Town Hall at 7pm till late on October 27th 2014, with full papers available on barnet.gov.uk

Confronting the far-right

This evening on BBC Radio 4, Dimbleby will chair a panel with Paul Nuttal MEP.  One of the things I focused on during the last days of the Euro-elections-campaign was confronting the far-right.  Labour believe that if they ignore UKIP, they will go away.  However, I am deeply aware along with my European colleagues of all faiths and none, that Fascism is enjoying a come-back in Europe.  In many ways it has always been there since the first colonialists in 1492.  Therefore it is pertinent that the debate is taking place in the City of London School, which is founded from the profits of the slave trade.

Like Christopher Columbus, Paul Nuttal MEP is a flat-earther, and it is deadly serious.  He believes that wind turbines are going to invade the country.  I hope Greens will be there to tell him firmly that racism and xenophobia is not on in British Politics, because Labour would rather forget about immigration and the deficit altogether.  I have never been so angry as when UKIP and their facist mates get on the airwaves.

Climate statement

September 19 – 23, New York:
Mobilize and organize to Stop and Prevent Planet Fever!

When we, as human beings, get a fever, we immediately get worried and take action. After all, we know that if our body temperature rises to 1.5ºC, let alone 2ºC [3.6 ºF] above the normal average, there can be severe damage, while an increase of 4-6ºC [7.2-10.8 ºF] or more can cause a comatose situation and even death.

So it is, when planet Earth gets a fever. For the past 11,000 years, the average temperature of the Earth has been around 14ºC [57.2ºF]. It is now about to reach an increase of 1ºC. And, if we do not take appropriate measures now to stop this fever from spreading, the forecast is that our planet will be well on its way to anywhere between 2ºC to 6ºC rise in temperature before the end of this century. Under such feverish conditions, life as we know it will dramatically change on planet Earth.

We have no other recourse but to take action now. Not just any action but the right action and at the right time. When, for example, a human person has a fever, we urge them to rest their body, give them a lot of liquids, prescribe the right medicine, and if the fever goes up we bring them to the hospital and try to find the underlying cause of the fever, which can range from a simple infection to life-threatening diseases like cancer.

Right Prescriptions

In the case of a planetary fever, the right prescription requires at least 10 actions to be undertaken and applied.

1. Make immediate binding commitments --- not voluntary pledges --- to control planetary temperature rise to no more than 1.5ºC [2.7 ºF] this century by reducing global greenhouse gas emissions per year to 38 Gigatons by 2020.
2. Let the Earth rest by making binding commitments to leave more than 80% of known fossil fuel reserves under the soil and beneath the ocean floor.
3. Move away from resource extractivism by placing bans on all new exploration and exploitation of oil, bitumen sands, oil shale, coal, uranium, and natural gas including pipeline infrastructure like Keystone XL.
4. Accelerate the development and transition to renewable energy alternatives such as wind, solar, geothermal and tidal power with more public and community ownership and control.
5. Promote local production and consumption of durable goods to satisfy the fundamental needs of the people and avoid the transport of goods that can be produced locally.
6. Stimulate the transition from industrialized, export-oriented agriculture for the global supermarket to community-based production to meet local food needs based on food sovereignty.
7. Adopt and apply Zero Waste strategies for the recycling and disposal of trash and the retrofitting of buildings to conserve energy for heating and cooling.
8. Improve and expand public transportation for moving people and freight within urban centres and between cities within urban regions through efficient trains.
9. Develop new sectors of the economy designed to create new jobs that restore the balance and equilibrium of the Earth system such as climate jobs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and Earth restoration jobs.
10. Dismantle the war industry and military infrastructure in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by warfare, and divert war budgets to promote genuine peace.

Wrong Prescriptions

At the same time, we must also be aware that all actions are not appropriate actions and that some initiatives can worsen the situation. Perhaps our most pressing challenge is the fact that big corporations are capturing the climate agenda to make new businesses designed to take advantage of the crises. In response, we need to send a message, loud and clear, to corporations: ‘Stop Exploiting the Tragedy of Climate Change!’

More specifically, we need to resist the ‘greening of capital’ as the solution by rejecting the following policies, strategies and measures:

• The commodification, financialization and privatization of the functions of nature through the promotion of a false “green economy” agenda which places a price on nature and creates new derivative markets that will only increase inequality and expedite the destruction of nature.
• This means saying No to REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) … No to Climate Smart Agriculture, Blue Carbon and Biodiversity offsetting --- all of which are designed to create new for-profit business for corporations.
• Techno-fix “solutions” like geo-engineering, genetically modified organisms, agrofuels, industrial bioenergy, synthetic biology, nanotechnology, hydraulic fracking, nuclear projects, waste-to-energy generation based on incineration, and others.
• Mega and unnecessary infrastructure projects that do not benefit the population and are net contributors to greenhouse gasses like, mega dams, excessively huge highways, stadiums for world cups, etc.
• Free trade and investment regimes that promote trade for profit and undercut domestic labor, destroy nature, and substantially reduce the capacity of nations to define their own economic, social and environmental priorities.

Preventative Cure

Finally, we also need to go beyond identifying right and wrong prescriptions to naming the disease that constantly causes and drives this planetary fever. If we don’t take this step, the fever will keep coming back again and again in a much more aggressive way. We need to take stock of the roots of the disease in order to weather the storm.

Scientists have clearly traced the problem of increasing greenhouse gas emissions back to the industrial revolution 250 years ago while tracking the spurt that has taken place during the past century. From this analysis, it is clear that the industrial model of increased extraction and productivism for the profit of a few is the prime cause of the problem. We need to replace capitalism with a new system that seeks harmony between humans and nature and not an endless growth model that the capitalist system promotes in order to make more and more profit. We need a system that links climate change and human rights and provides for the protection of most vulnerable communities like migrants, and recognizes the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Mother Earth and her natural resources cannot sustain the consumption and production needs of this globalized modern industrialized society. We require a new system that addresses the needs of the majority and not of the few. To move in this direction, we need a redistribution of the wealth that is now controlled by the 1%. In turn, this requires a new definition of wellbeing and prosperity for all life on the planet under the limits and in recognition of the rights of our Mother Earth and Nature.

We urgently need to organize and mobilize in September in New York and the world to push for a process of transformation that can address the structural causes that are driving the climate crisis.

Initial signatures:

Alternatives International

ATTAC - France

Coordinadora Latinoamericana de Organizaciones del Campo – La Via Campesina (CLOC-LVC)

Corporate Europe Observatory

Ecologistas en Acción

ETC Group

Fairwatch - Italy

Focus on the Global South

Fundación Solón - Bolivia

Global Campaign to Dismantle Corporate Power and end TNCs’ impunity

Global Forest Coalition 

Grassroots Global Justice Alliance

Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) - Nigeria

Indigenous Environmental Network

La Via Campesina

Migrants Rights International

No-REDD Africa Network

OilWatch International

Polaris Institute – Canada

SENTRO - Philippines

Thai Climate Justice Working Group (TCJ)

Transnational Institute

and so on

Property is theft! Here's a list of thieves, what I found down the back of the Internet

Aecom 

Aitchison RAffety 

ARchitectuRe tomoRRow 

ARteliA uK 

AshfoRd BoRough council 

BAsingstoKe And deAne BoRough 

council 

Bdo 

Bdp 

BRe 

BRooKfield multiplex 

cApitA pRopeRty And infRAstRuctuRe 

cARdiff 

city of london coRpoRAtion 

collAdo collins 

college of estAte mAnAgement 

concept Business gRoup 

coventRy & wARwicKshiRe locAl 

enteRpRise pARtneRship 

deRBy - uK cApitAl foR innovAtion 

design inteRnAtionAl 

develop cRoydon 

english heRitAge 

estAtemAn 

euston RegeneRAtion pARtneRship 

limited 

evolution 5 

fAReBRotheR 

fReeths llp 

gloBAl guARdiAns 

goldcRest lAnd plc 

hAsKoning dhv uK ltd 

heRtfoRdshiRe locAl enteRpRise 

pARtneRship 

gueRnsey inteRnAtionAl finAnce 

centRe 

high speed two (hs2 ltd) 

hoK 

invest Ashfield & mAnsfield 

invest in nottinghAm 

invest noRth eAst englAnd 

ipin gloBAl cApitAl limited 

Kpf 

costAR uK 

lAndmARK chAmBeRs 

leeds city Region 

leicesteR leicesteRshiRe 

liveRpool vision 

london BoRough of cRoydon 

london BoRough of hAmmeRsmith & 

fulhAm 

london BoRough of southwARK 

luton BoRough council 

mAnchesteR 

mAnhAttAn softwARe gRoup ltd 

medicx 

milton Keynes council 

nine elms on the south BAnK 

njw limited 

noRthAmpton BoRough council 

pinsent mAsons llp 

plymouth city council 

poRtsmouth & southAmpton the 

solent 

pRoplend 

QuBe gloBAl softwARe 

Rics 

Roomzzz ApARthotel 

scottish cities AlliAnce 

lAnd secuRities 

smAll BAcK Room 

BARclAys 

suffolK life 

tAliAnce 

thAmes vAlley BeRKshiRe 

RoyAl BAnK of scotlAnd 

the fRActionAl owneRship 

consultAncy 

the leAdenhAll Building 

thoR eQuities llc 

tiAA hendeRson ReAl estAte ltd 

tRoweRs & hAmlins 

wAndA one 

yARdi systems uK 

youRs seRvices 

updated energy policy

Green Party conference just passed this -
and re-affirmed our core anti-nuke stance.

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 24  Green Party of England and Wales 

Energy 

Getting Britain working: saving and generating clean energy 

EN001 This policy aims for a complete transformation of the energy system to one 

based on efficient use of energy supplied mainly by electricity from renewable sources.  

The policy will ensure an affordable and reliable energy supply for householders, 

commerce and industry in a prosperous and productive economy with excellent 

employment prospects. It will bring energy bills down; strengthen community control 

of energy use, supply and costs, and help to eradicate fuel poverty. 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 25  Green Party of England and Wales 

Amendment 1 – a: 

Proposed by: Oliver Price*, Ashley Rolleston, Paul Jenkins, Natasha Thrale, Lowri 

Nia Knibbs Vaughn, Ian Norris, Keri Edmonds, Chris Pritchard,  

In EN001 Delete the words “renewable sources” and replace with “carbon 

neutral sources” so it reads: 

This policy aims for a complete transformation of the energy system to one 

based on efficient use of energy supplied mainly by electricity from carbon 

neutral sources. The policy will ensure an affordable and reliable energy supply 

for householders, commerce and industry in a prosperous and productive 

economy with excellent employment prospects. It will bring energy bills down; 

strengthen community control of energy use, supply and costs, and help to 

eradicate fuel poverty. 

EN002 Energy is a key factor in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting for over 

80% of UK emissions. We need to stop energy waste and improve efficiency of use – do 

better with less. Limiting climate impacts is a powerful reason for using energy more 

efficiently and changing to low carbon energy sources. 

EN003 We can enjoy comfortable homes and a thriving economy using a third of our 

current energy demand by improving the energy performance of new and existing 

buildings and by re-thinking industrial processes to reduce the ‘energy intensity’ of 

products. Innovation in energy usage will save costs and enable a rapid change to 

clean renewable power from sources within the UK. Electricity from renewables will 

replace existing polluting energy sources, ensuring stable prices and removing 

dependence on foreign fuel imports. 

Amendment 1 – b: 

Proposed by: Oliver Price*, Ashley Rolleston, Paul Jenkins, Natasha Thrale, Lowri 

Nia Knibbs Vaughn, Ian Norris, Keri Edmonds, Chris Pritchard,  

In EN003 delete “a third” and replace with “two thirds, or less” so that it reads: 

“We can enjoy comfortable homes and a thriving economy using two thirds, or 

less, of our current energy demand by improving the energy performance of 

new and existing buildings and by re-thinking industrial processes to reduce 

the ‘energy intensity’ of products. Innovation in energy usage will save costs 

and enable a rapid change to clean renewable power from sources within the 

UK. Electricity from renewables will replace existing polluting energy sources, 

ensuring stable prices and removing dependence on foreign fuel imports.” 

EN004 The energy system will be reorganised to ensure full democratic control, with 

local communities generating and supplying their own energy needs. Local councils 

and communities will have a key role in planning efficiency programmes, and 

organising local energy supply and distribution. Eradication of fuel poverty will be a 

priority:  about a fifth of households currently suffer fuel poverty in the UK.  

EN005 Innovation in energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy storage will 

require rapid training and upskilling of the workforce needed to design, construct, 

operate and manage radical change to the current energy system. Restructuring the 

UK energy system will significantly boost employment. Investment in energy efficiency 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 26  Green Party of England and Wales 

and renewable energy will generate market value in products and innovations worth 

hundreds of billions of pounds. 

Amendment 1 – c: 

Proposed by: Oliver Price*, Ashley Rolleston, Paul Jenkins, Natasha Thrale, Lowri 

Nia Knibbs Vaughn, Ian Norris, Keri Edmonds, Chris Pritchard. 

In EN005 insert “, nuclear energy” after “renewable energy” and before “and 

energy storage” so that it reads: 

“Innovation in energy efficiency, renewable energy, nuclear energy and energy 

storage will require rapid training and upskilling of the workforce needed to 

design, construct, operate and manage radical change to the current energy 

system. Restructuring the UK energy system will significantly boost 

employment. Investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy will 

generate market value in products and innovations worth hundreds of billions 

of pounds.” 

EN006 An energy efficiency fund will be supported by an improved system of carbon 

taxes to help the design, upgrading and construction of better homes and buildings, 

energy efficient industry and to expand renewables.  

EN007 This policy ensures the UK will achieve carbon reduction and energy efficiency 

levels which recognise the need to avoid dangerous climate change, well beyond 

current inadequate mandatory targets. It will put the UK at the forefront of low 

carbon energy development, and enable the UK to strongly influence and assist 

international moves to combat climate change. 

Amendment 2 

Proposed by: Nicola Dodgson*, Jonathan Essex, Shaun , Sam Riches, Pippa 

Bartolotti. 

Delete EN007 and replace with: 

"Even so, this policy alone is unlikely to ensure sufficient action on carbon 

reduction and energy efficiency to avoid dangerous climate change, which 

require wider changes to production, development, consumption and 

economics as set out elsewhere in the PSS. For leadership, we must commit to 

at least zero carbon emissions, and treat all climate targets as minimum 

thresholds for reduction, reflecting the latest assessment of climate risk. This 

set of energy targets sit within the wider challenge to put the UK at the 

forefront of zero carbon, low energy development, enabling the UK to play its 

part in a sufficient international response to climate change." 

EN008 The policies are grouped under a set of primary objectives as listed below 

1.   Improve efficiency of energy use. 

a) Cut energy costs across all sectors through demand reductions and improved 

efficiency. 

b) Cut bills and ensure warm homes for all. 

c) Improve the energy performance of all non-domestic buildings.  

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 27  Green Party of England and Wales 

d) Lower the energy intensity of industrial processes. 

2. Increase clean low carbon energy generation from renewable sources.  

a) Accelerate the production of electricity from renewable sources. 

b) Accelerate the development of heat production from low carbon renewable sources.  

c) Develop heat networks using waste heat and seasonally stored heat for building 

heating and low temperature heat use. 

d) Prepare land and sea use planning frameworks for the development of renewable 

energy. 

e) Make carbon capture and storage (CCS) a reality.  

f) Phase out polluting and unsustainable power sources. 

3. Ensure secure, reliable and resilient energy supply. 

a) Ensure demand shifting and load balancing capacity.  

b)  Develop electricity and heat storage capacity. 

c) Develop power interconnectors with European partners. 

4. Empower energy democracy.  

a) Separate energy generation from distribution and retail.  

b) Diversify the ownership of energy generation and ensure democratic control. 

5. Develop low carbon transport. 

a) Improve energy efficiency of transport.  

b) Shift transport power sources to mainly renewable electricity. 

6. Stimulate research, development and demonstration: 

a)  - in demand reduction and efficiency techniques and materials; 

b) - in renewable energy production; 

c)  - in energy storage and demand balancing technologies. 

7. Ensure skills for the transformation are in place. 

a) Ensure rapid development of skills required for demand reduction and energy 

efficiency. 

b) Ensure the skilled workforce needed for the change to low carbon energy is 

provided. 

8. Make sure regulation of the energy system is fit for purpose. 

a) Ensure regulations require improving standards of demand reduction. 

b) Improve the regulation of energy supply. 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 28  Green Party of England and Wales 

9. Provide the means for financing the energy transformation. 

a) Stimulate demand reduction and efficiency. 

b) Establish measures for funding the change to renewable energy. 

10. Strengthen international energy policy. 

a) Work to reduce global anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations. 

b) Support development of carbon sequestration. 

Improve efficiency of energy use 

Policy 

EN110 A green Government would cut energy costs across all sectors through demand 

reductions and improved efficiency. We will set clear and consistent targets and 

timetables for improving efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 

across all sectors of the economy. We will require energy use for space heating, and 

electrical use to be reduced by a third by 2020, by half by 2030 and by two-thirds by 

2050, based on 2012 final energy demand levels. Specifically, we will aim to reduce 

total UK energy demand to 900 TWh/year by 2030, and to 600 TWh/year by 2050, i.e. 

reductions of approximately 40% and 60% respectively on 2012 final energy demand.  

EN111 We will keep the effectiveness of demand reduction and efficiency policies 

under regular review.  

EN112 The Green Party will provide local councils with the powers and resources to 

develop energy plans for their areas. These plans will be aligned with national demand 

reduction, energy efficiency and energy generation targets (see EN1.1A above). Local 

councils will be required to: 

a) link energy policy to local housing and transport plans, as well as social and 

economic issues; 

b) encourage take-up of energy efficiency investment (through varying council tax 

rates for example); 

c) engage local communities in the planning process for demand reduction and 

renewable energy generation in their areas; 

d) manage the phased withdrawal of natural gas for building heating. 

EN113 We will extend the scope of local authorities’ planning powers to include 

energy (through Local Development Frameworks for example). Specifically they will 

decide - in consultation with local communities – the extent and scope of demand 

reduction programmes, the location of heat networks, community scale energy (heat 

and power) sources, and energy storage capacity.  

EN121 A green Government would cut bills and ensure warm homes for all by 

ensuring that all new dwellings (including conversions) are built to zero carbon 

standards. However, at least three-quarters of existing housing stock (27 million 

dwellings) will remain in 2050, thus ‘retrofitting’ existing property is crucial to 

reducing demand. We will plan to reduce the energy demand in existing dwellings 

through intensive retrofit programmes. The programmes will focus first on improving 

housing conditions and reducing the energy costs of poorer households, particularly 

those suffering fuel poverty. Energy policy for housing will be focused on area–based 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 29  Green Party of England and Wales 

programmes linked with housing improvement policies and initiatives for bringing 

vacant dwellings and commercial properties into use. Domestic demand reduction will 

be supported by targeted grant regimes to ensure take-up, with special attention to 

poorer households and those suffering fuel poverty. Subsidised loans will be available 

to improve ‘hard to treat’ homes. Special care will be taken with ‘traditional buildings’ 

to avoid installation of inappropriate measures. 

EN122 Specifically, the aim is to improve the energy performance of up to 25 million 

dwellings thus reducing their energy demand by an average of 40% by 2020, 60% by 

2030 and 80% by 2050 on 2009 levels.  

EN123 The Green Party will help households suffering fuel poverty (about one fifth of 

households) through programmes including welfare help and housing retrofit to 

rapidly improve comfort levels in dwellings where housing condition is a cause of fuel 

poverty. We will aim to improve the energy performance of these dwellings where 

condition is a factor in fuel poverty by 80% by 2020 on 2009 levels. 

Amendment 3 – a : 

Proposed by: Shaun Chamberlin*, Romayne Phoenix, Bianca Madison, Jonathan 

Essex, Christopher Shaw, Melanie Strickland, Tony Cooper. 

In EN123, insert “This will dovetail with the system of tradable energy quotas 

(see CC290)” at the end. 

Amendment 4: 

Proposed by: Stuart Jeffery*, Martin Hemmingway, Alan Borgars, Andrew 

Waldie, Robin Kinrade, Matt White, Peter Allen,  

Insert after EN123: 

“EN124 A Green government will help reduce fuel poverty by mandating that 

all domestic tariffs are progressive, i.e. a lower use of energy attracts a lower 

cost per unit than higher usage. Lower energy tariffs will be set at a level to 

ensure that homes have access to a basic level of affordable energy.” 

EN131 A Green government will ensure better energy performance in buildings in the 

non-domestic sectors. We will support better energy management, design, 

construction, and innovation in materials, plant and components to achieve improved 

building performance and operation in the non-domestic sectors. Efficiency measures 

will be supported through a combination of regulation and incentives. Policies will 

apply equally to retrofit and new build. Small businesses may require specialized 

support, in the form of advice services linked to grant and loan schemes, to assist them 

to reduce energy costs and improve the energy efficiency of their operations. These 

arrangements will be part of the local authority energy planning process and 

integrated with local economic development programmes. 

EN132 Many existing non-domestic buildings will last through 2030, with at least 60% 

remaining in 2050, thus efficiency policy must address retrofit as a priority. Target 

final demand reductions on 2012 UK levels are 30% by 2020, 40% by 2030 and 75% by 

2050, allowing for increases in floorspace. 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 30  Green Party of England and Wales 

EN133 We will support neighbourhood and area-based upgrading of the energy 

efficiency of buildings through cooperative or collective action. Regulations to prevent 

leasing or renting buildings that do not meet basic energy standards will be 

progressively tightened and extended to a wider range of buildings. Tenants in all 

sectors will be enabled to require building owners to upgrade the energy performance 

of the buildings they occupy.  

EN140 The Green Party will work towards lower energy intensity of industrial 

products. We will encourage better energy management and process efficiency.  We 

will support research and development of more efficient process technologies, 

alternative fuels, materials recovery and recycling in order to drive down energy 

demand in industry and reduce the energy intensity of products. We will focus action 

on major energy users such as the chemical and food and drink industries, while 

smaller firms may require specialised support as in the commercial sector above. 

EN141 We will target energy efficiencies for the UK industrial sector of reductions on 

2012 levels of 15% by 2020, 33% by 2030 and 60% by 2050 allowing for increases in 

productivity over the period. 

Increase clean low carbon energy generation from renewable sources 

Policy

  

EN 210 A Green government will accelerate production of electricity from renewable 

and low carbon sources. We will rapidly develop new renewable energy capacity to 

meet reducing final energy demand, (see EN1.1A), primarily through clean electricity 

generation (see EN2.1B – E below). We will mandate a target to reduce carbon 

intensity of power generation to a maximum of 25gCO2 e/kWh by 2030 and to 

implement an emissions performance standard reducing in regular intervals to that 

level by 2030, with flexibility to adjust the carbon intensity target towards an average 

of 10gCO2e by 2030. Wind will provide the main source of power by 2030, followed 

later by wave and tidal power. Solar thermal, photovoltaics and hydropower will be 

important because of their potential for local and small-scale generation.  

EN211 We will aim for a largely electricity-based energy system in the UK to match a 

total final demand of about 900TWh/ year by 2030, which reduces to 600-650TWh 

/year by 2050. To meet this demand, average capacity for renewables is planned to be 

40 GW by 2020, rising to 70 GW by 2030, excluding power for demand balancing and 

load shifting. This capacity will be provided by the range of renewables set out below 

(all figures are average capacities). 

EN212 We will accelerate the deployment of both onshore and offshore wind power 

generation at rates sufficient to ensure the change to a stable electricity-based energy 

system of 87GW by 2030, but stabilising thereafter. This will require a rapid build of 

onshore wind to 2030 to provide an average capacity of 12GWe by 2030, and off-shore 

wind generation capacity will be increased to 17 GWe providing a total average 

capacity of 29GWe (including existing and currently planned capacity).  

EN213 We will support the rapid commercialisation of tidal stream and wave-powered 

generators to ensure they are able to contribute at least 5GW each by 2030, and a 

combined input of at least 20GW by 2050. 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 31  Green Party of England and Wales 

EN214 Rapid deployment of solar photovoltaics will be fully supported, as a key source 

of decentralised generation, making full use of domestic, commercial and industrial 

roofspace and limited deployment of ‘solar farms’. We will review legislation and 

planning guidance to facilitate the potential for leasing roof and site space for local 

energy generation by third parties. We will target 8GW from PVs by 2030 and 10 GW 

by 2050. 

EN215 We will urgently review UK potential for hydropower and will support in 

particular medium and small-scale installations in order to provide 3GW (average) by 

2030. We will develop the capacity of pumped storage for demand balancing, subject 

to stringent environmental safeguards. 

EN216 We will keep under review the relative contributions of all renewable sources in 

order to assess the potential for replacement or enhancement of the different 

technologies, in particular as demand reduces further beyond 2030 due to increasing 

efficiency. 

EN220 A Green government would also accelerate the development of heat 

production from low carbon renewable sources through the deployment of renewable 

heat sources including heat pumps (air and ground source) and solar thermal as well 

as heat from decentralised biomass/biogas generation. We consider solar thermal can 

produce 20GWth (thermal GW) by 2030, and 25GWth by 2050. 

EN221 We will ensure energy produced from biomass, including biogas, yields 

reductions in greenhouse gas emissions using sustainable wastes and domestic 

feedstocks for which indirect substitution emissions can be shown to be minimal. We 

will ensure that biomass generation, uses sustainably-sourced fuels produced 

according to stringent sustainability standards and is as far as possible carbon neutral. 

EN222 We will develop the use of biomass for heat supply through co-generation and 

for balancing power; new biomass power stations will be built as combined heat and 

power systems and if needed with carbon capture and storage capability.  

EN230 We will ensure the development of heat networks using waste heat and 

seasonally stored heat for building heating and low temperature heat use.  

EN231 We will give local councils responsibility for heat planning as part of their 

energy planning powers. They will plan and commission new heat networks using low 

or zero carbon heat sources, funded through discounted loans from an energy 

efficiency fund (see EN9.1A below). Networks will include heat storage capacity to 

even out seasonal variations. Buildings that could be served from the heating network 

will be liable to pay charges for network access once it is built and available for 

connection. Local authorities may directly operate heat networks or energy service 

companies, or assist local co-operative or private organisations to do the same. They 

will be given powers to introduce incentives and bylaws to phase out the use of 

natural gas boilers. 

EN232 We will support the development of a low-carbon heat market for the heating 

of homes and other buildings where there is sufficient density of demand to support 

the creation of a hot water network. Local authorities will be responsible for the 

planning of the network (see EN2.3A). The heat network will be treated as a regulated 

asset and investors will be assured a regulated rate of return paid for by owners of 

buildings connected to the network. 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 32  Green Party of England and Wales 

EN240 The Green Party will ensure the urgent preparation of sea use planning 

frameworks, in consultation with relevant agencies, to guide the development of 

marine renewable energy systems. We will review land and marine planning guidance 

and establish a clear presumption in favour of renewable energy sources - in particular 

mid-scale community-owned renewables - but within the context of environmental 

impact legislation to ensure protected areas are not harmed, biodiversity is 

safeguarded and the needs of people and wildlife are considered. We will require local 

councils to integrate their energy plans with national land and sea use planning 

guidance. 

EN250 We will assist in making carbon capture and storage (CCS) a reality by investing 

in the testing of commercial-scale CCS technology and will encourage bids for EU 

funding (such as NER300) to ensure that the UK secures a leadership position and 

competitive advantage in both the development and deployment of CCS technology 

for coal, gas, sustainable biomass and biogas power generation. 

Amendment 5: 

Proposed by: Nicola Dodgson*, Jonathan Essex, Shaun Chamberlin, Sam Riches, 

Pippa Bartolotti. 

At the end of EN250, delete: “for coal, gas, sustainable biomass and biogas 

power generation.” 

EN251 If CCS is proven at a commercial scale, we will support deployment of the 

technology, on a specifically transitional basis, to existing sustainable biomass and gas 

power stations and existing incineration plant. We will support deployment on a long 

term basis for sustainable biogas generating plant. 

EN252 We will aim for CCS to be deployed at selected coal fired power stations (as per 

the Energy Act 2010) in order to demonstrate that the technology will be capable of 

restraining emissions from coal-fired plant outside the UK. CCS will only be deployed if 

an unplanned release from storage cannot cause direct local damage. 

EN260 A green government will phase out polluting and unsustainable power sources.  

EN261 We will cancel construction of new nuclear stations and nuclear power will not 

be eligible for government subsidy; the Green Party opposes all nuclear power 

generation and is particularly opposed to the construction of new nuclear power 

stations, electricity from which is likely to be significantly more expensive per unit 

supplied than other low-carbon energy sources, and too slow to deploy to meet our 

pressing energy needs. Cancellation will avoid the costs and dangers of nuclear energy 

and waste being passed on to future generations long after any benefits have been 

exhausted. 

Amendment 1 - d 

Proposed by: Oliver Price*, Ashley Rolleston, Paul Jenkins, Natasha Thrale, Lowri 

Nia Knibbs Vaughn, Ian Norris, Keri Edmonds, Chris Pritchard. 

Delete EN261 and Replace with: The Green Party supports the building of 

modern design nuclear power plants (Generation III+), alongside renewable 

sources. Nuclear power is an important base load source and should remain a 

part of a balanced mix of energy sources to meet the demands of the UK 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 33  Green Party of England and Wales 

national grid. Nuclear power has come a long way over the last few decades 

and we feel that using older reactor designs to flavour discussion of the current 

reactor technology is unfair. 

The Green Party will also ensure tight regulation of all generators for the safety 

and wellbeing of the populous. Violation of safety regulations will result in 

severe penalties including revoking of licenses (without compensation) or 

criminal prosecution against negligent staff or management. 

EN262 Money earmarked for new nuclear plant research, development and 

construction will be reallocated  to energy efficiency measures and renewable energy 

infrastructure, but sufficient funding for decommissioning redundant power stations, 

and for research into the safe storage or disposal of existing radioactive waste 

stockpiles will be retained. 

Amendment 1 – e: 

Proposed by: Oliver Price*, Ashley Rolleston, Paul Jenkins, Natasha Thrale, Lowri 

Nia Knibbs Vaughn, Ian Norris, Keri Edmonds, Chris Pritchard. 

Delete EN262 and replace with: The Green Party will increase funding to 

energy research and development for both renewable and nuclear 

technologies including - but not limited to - molten salt reactors such as LFTR, 

fusion (JET and ITER), photovoltaic solar panels (PV), wind turbines and 

hydroelectric power. Allocation of funding should be decided upon by the 

relevant research councils in the UK, such as the EPSRC, because an expert 

panel of scientists and engineers is better placed to make decisions about the 

future direction of energy research than politicians. 

EN263 The Green Party is opposed to the use of coal without carbon and sulphur 

capture technology and will phase out existing coal-fired power stations as soon as 

possible, except for the selected plants needed for commercial CCS demonstration (see 

EN252). 

EN264 We will halt the development of coal-bed methane, shale gas and similar 

hydrocarbon exploitation since it is not needed to meet UK energy demands, is 

environmentally destructive, and will lead to increasing GHG emissions. 

EN265 Incineration of municipal, commercial and industrial waste is not required for 

energy generation, therefore all existing waste incineration stations will be phased out 

as soon as possible. 

Ensure secure, reliable and resilient energy supply 

Policy 

EN310  A Green government will ensure demand management and load balancing 

capacity: security of energy supply will be achieved as power generation changes to 

UK-based renewables. We will ensure that the transmission and distribution of energy 

keeps pace with the change to renewable energy production, as well as the 

restructuring of supply resulting from policies in EN 4.1 et seq. below, and as the 

increasing amount of decentralisation due to local and microgeneration impacts on 

the system. We will ensure the changing requirements for demand management and 

load balancing are accommodated and reliable energy supply guaranteed.  

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 34  Green Party of England and Wales 

EN311 Local system operators will be given the responsibility for managing local 

storage and incentivising provision of local demand management techniques to 

manage the fluctuations in supply and demand of energy in their areas. We will 

support the installation of genuinely smart meters in all buildings linked to smart 

appliances (such as smart fridges and air conditioning) that will automatically respond 

to fluctuations in supply and demand to minimise energy use and align periods of 

heavy usage with times of low cost, according to user preference. 

EN312 We will ensure the development of energy storage capacity through 

investment in development and deployment of the energy storage capacity needed to 

balance daily and seasonal demand fluctuations. 

EN313 We will consider electricity and heat storage in a separate subsidy or 

investment category from generation, transmission, distribution and supply in order to 

ensure rapid deployment and will adapt market mechanisms to ensure storage at the 

distribution level is valued both for its role in network reinforcement and in electricity 

trading. 

EN320 A green government will develop power interconnectors with European 

partners and will invest in the electricity interconnectors needed to provide 

international flows of renewable power for balancing fluctuating energy demand, in 

cooperation with countries such as Iceland (with substantial geothermal power 

resources), Norway (with considerable pumped storage capacity and hydropower 

supply) and Ireland (with substantial wind power potential) 

Empower energy democracy 

Policy

  

EN410 A green government will separate energy generation from supply and retail. 

EN411We will legislate to separate large energy generators from suppliers. The price 

of power will continue to be set according to the wholesale market where we expect 

the majority of electricity to be traded. Renewables (wind, wave, tidal stream, solar 

and hydro) will receive a fixed price feed-in tariff. Flexible renewable generators that 

can decide when to operate (biogas, tidal stream) will receive a premium feed-in tariff 

to incentivise provision of capacity at times of peak demand. Demand reduction will be 

incentivised through demand-side feed-in tariffs available to customers and third 

parties acting on behalf of customers. We will remove existing market barriers that 

prevent demand-shifting by large energy users and aggregators working on behalf of 

or supplying small end-users. Community and decentralised generation will be 

supported by fixed price feed-in tariffs. All of the above feed-in tariffs will be reduced 

gradually, in accordance with each technology’s cost reduction curve. Sufficient time 

between the announcement of revised tariffs and their implementation will be 

provided for industries to plan for any reduction in tariff rates. 

Amendment 3 – b : 

Proposed by: Shaun Chamberlin*, Romayne Phoenix, Bianca Madison, Jonathan 

Essex, Christopher Shaw, Melanie Strickland, Tony Cooper. 

In EN411, after the line “Demand reduction will be incentivised through 

demand-side feed-in tariffs available to customers and third parties acting on 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 35  Green Party of England and Wales 

behalf of customers” insert “, working alongside the system of tradable energy 

quotas (see CC290).” 

EN412 The Green Party will outlaw ownership of energy retail by profit making 

companies that have a stake in energy production, unless the generation is wholly 

renewable. The current pattern of vertical ownership has worked to concentrate 

market power into an oligopoly, to the detriment of energy conservation and price 

competition. Vertically-integrated energy companies will be required to divest their 

ownership in energy retail (currently the least profitable aspect of the energy 

industry). Energy retail will be conducted by community-owned, municipally-owned or 

cooperative not-for-profit regional monopolies and we will require open-book 

accounting practices to ensure fair pricing, sufficient investment and good value for 

consumers.  

EN420 A Green government will diversify the ownership of energy generation and 

ensure democratic control. We will purchase large-scale renewable plant in order to 

secure public sector energy provision at best value and increase wider competition in 

energy supply. However we would expect new large-scale generation plant (off-shore 

wind, concentrated solar power, sustainable biomass, wave and tidal) and electricity 

transmission and distribution to continue to be built and owned by private companies.   

EN421 We will encourage the ownership of decentralised energy production and 

energy saving by community and municipal companies. This will be enabled through 

favourable supply and demand feed-in tariffs as well as relief from all transmission 

charges and disproportionate distribution charges for local generation. Small-scale 

and community-owned renewables will be provided with fixed price feed-in tariffs for 

installations of up to 50MW to ensure their output can be sold for a fair price. 

Community groups, cooperatives and local authorities would be supported by the 

Green Investment Bank to purchase renewable power plant and contribute to local 

energy supply at competitive rates.  

Develop low carbon transport 

Policy 

EN510 A Green government will reduce the energy demand from transport; we will 

work with rail and bus fleet operators, transport authorities and the automotive 

industry to target improvements in the energy efficiency of trains, coaches and 

vehicles. We will work with the automotive industry to target overall improvement in 

vehicle energy efficiency of one third on 2012 levels by 2030, and use regulations and 

taxes to promote substantial reductions in weight, size and power of vehicles.  

EN511 Energy and transport policy will be linked at national and local level to reduce 

the demand for travel and will promote full integration of bus, coach and rail services 

to improve the potential for personal/public transport interchange. We will work with 

rail operators to increase the transfer of freight to rail and with both bus and rail 

operators to increase passenger use. 

EN512 We will work with the domestic aviation and shipping industry to improve fleet 

efficiencies and to reduce GHG emissions and explore options for shifting to 

alternative fuels.  

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 36  Green Party of England and Wales 

EN513 Multilateral agreements with relevant countries and organisations will be 

sought in order to reduce energy use and GHG emission of international air transport 

and shipping. 

EN520 We will ensure the shift of transport power sources to mainly renewable 

electricity. 

EN521 Full electrification of the rail network and bus fleet by 2030 will be targeted. 

EN522 We will incentivise a shift from most motorised road transport to buses, rail 

and cycling.  We will focus on changing road transport (mainly personal transport and 

vans) to electricity in order to remove reliance on petroleum for transport and achieve 

significant reductions in GHG emissions, major improvement in urban pollution levels 

(with substantial quantifiable health benefits) as well as safety for other road users. 

We will support rapid development of electric transport technologies including 

batteries and charging infrastructure, and will collaborate with the logistics industry 

to develop options for HGVs (24% of road transport energy) including alternative fuels, 

electric and hybrid vehicles.  

EN523 We will aim for a 30% shift to electricity by 2030 and 90-100% by 2050 for cars 

and vans; the target for HGVs will be 20% electric by 2030 and 90-100% by 2050. 

Support research, development and demonstration 

Policy 

EN610 The Green Party will support RD&D in demand reduction and efficiency 

techniques and materials. Funding will be provided for energy efficiency technologies 

in all sectors to rapidly drive up the pace of innovation and performance, and to reduce 

energy intensity of materials, industrial processes and products. Support will be 

targeted at: 

a) building fabric and performance efficiency in all sectors including design, 

procurement, construction and operation processes, innovative materials and 

components; 

b) process and product efficiencies in industry; 

c) behaviour of energy users and performance-in-practice of efficiency techniques. 

EN611 We will support research into methods of financing energy efficiency and 

renewables including the accurate pricing-in of co-benefits such as pollution reduction 

and other strategic effects. 

EN620 We will support RD&D in renewable energy production: funding will be 

provided to support research, development and cost reduction for renewable and low 

carbon power generation technologies. Priority technologies for research and 

development will be: 

a) tidal stream and wave power; 

b) large and small scale photovoltaic and solar thermal installation; 

c) biogas generation and associated logistic infrastructure.  

EN630 A Green government will support RD&D in energy storage and demand 

balancing technologies. 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 37  Green Party of England and Wales 

EN631 We will accelerate the development of ‘smart grid’ technology, demand 

management and load shifting technologies, as well as heat and electricity storage 

technologies to enable de-centralised energy systems. We will support R&D for: 

a) dynamic demand appliance technologies; 

b) hydrogen production as energy carrier and store using surplus renewable 

electricity; 

c) fuel cells, compressed and liquefied gas storage, flywheels, super magnetic 

energy storage and lithium iron batteries.  

Ensure the skills needed for the transformation are in place 

Policy 

EN710 The Green Party will ensure rapid development of skills required for demand 

reduction and energy efficiency and will expand, in cooperation with the vocational, 

education and training sector, a major programme to develop the skilled workforce 

capable of supporting the pace of programmes required to meet demand reduction 

and energy efficiency targets, and to design, construct and operate buildings and 

processes which meet stringent efficiency standards. We will also ensure provision of 

training for expert assessment and monitoring of performance and compliance across 

the energy spectrum. 

EN711 We will support continuing professional development programmes

  to ensure 

trainers are adequately qualified and experienced, and will ensure that energy 

efficiency modules within college and apprenticeship frameworks are mandatory. 

EN712 Training programmes will be jointly funded with industry to develop the skill 

base needed in energy management, assessment and monitoring, as well as in energy- 

related construction, manufacturing and design professions.  

EN720 We will ensure the skilled workforce needed for the change to low carbon 

energy is provided through the rapid expansion of training, ‘upskilling’ and skills 

transfer programmes aimed at creating the substantial work force needed to support 

the change to renewable energy generation, supply and distribution.  

EN721 We will work with the existing energy industries to maximise benefits of 

transferring skills and expertise, making best use of existing skilled and expert 

personnel, as the energy landscape changes.  

Make sure regulation and monitoring of the energy system is fit for purpose 

Policy 

EN810 A Green government will ensure regulations require improving standards for 

demand reduction and will establish an independent regulatory body with appropriate 

powers to oversee the implementation of demand reduction and efficiency measures 

in the interests of consumers. 

Amendment 6: 

 Proposed by: Pippa Bartalotti*, Jonathan Essex, Ann Were, Andrew Cooper. 

Insert the following sentence at the start of EN810 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 38  Green Party of England and Wales 

"Ensure UK legislation provides for right of grid access for renewable energy 

installations at all times, and that grid balancing becomes an enabler for 

priority access of renewables." 

EN811 We will ensure that building regulations, as well as other energy efficiency 

standards and sustainability accreditation systems, are fit for purpose and consistent 

with national policies and local authority energy plans. Mandatory standards and 

accreditation schemes will be based on measured building performance.  

EN812 Demand reduction and efficiency regulations and standards will be applied to 

existing buildings, including listed buildings and conservation areas, as well as new 

buildings; landlords will be required to ensure that the energy performance of their 

buildings is improved at their own expense in line with a phased programme of 

increasing efficiency standards. 

EN813 Companies will be required to disclose their energy use and associated carbon 

emissions in total, against appropriate benchmarking data, to enable performance 

comparison by sector.  

EN814 Institutional investors will be required to disclose risks due to investments in 

companies dependent upon unburnable fossil fuel reserves, and we will work with 

investors to investigate alternative investments in energy efficiency and renewable 

energy. 

EN815 We will regulate energy efficiency standards in electrical appliances and 

equipment in order to progressively reduce energy use and promote the development 

of smart controls for monitoring and managing energy use according to people’s 

preferences. 

EN816 We will introduce regulations requiring the embodied carbon (carbon footprint) 

of materials, goods and service to be clearly indentified and taken into account in 

procurement arrangements and contract procedures. 

EN820 We will improve regulation of energy supply and will review all existing energy- 

related policy,  retiring policies that have not proved effective at reducing demand and 

carbon emissions or at driving increased renewable capacity. We will ensure wherever 

possible that policies do not overlap; simplifying the policy landscape will reduce the 

cost of regulatory compliance. 

EN821 We will urgently review the effectiveness of energy-related regulatory bodies 

such as Ofgem to ensure they have the appropriate powers and resources to carry out 

their functions in relation to the rapidly evolving energy supply and distribution 

system envisaged in this policy. 

EN823 We will establish the legislation and regulations necessary for the restructuring 

of the energy supply industry, to enable the separation of generators from suppliers, 

and to support and regulate local ownership of energy supply and distribution. 

EN824 Generation plant that is currently incentivised to produce diverse and low 

carbon electricity through price incentives like the Renewable Obligation and 

successor schemes will be required to disclose to the regulator how much they invest 

in UK assets. By regulating prices for generation, transmission and distribution, the 

regulator will ensure that disproportionate financial gains are not accrued by any 

market actors. We will require greater transparency in accounting and disclosure of 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 39  Green Party of England and Wales 

spending by renewable energy generators to ensure that companies do not take 

advantage of energy consumers by colluding to keep prices artificially high. 

EN830 To ensure effective monitoring of compliance we will set clear trajectories for 

tightening regulations over time. We will regularly review the effectiveness of 

regulation, and support research needed for this purpose. 

EN831 We will provide the resources for effective monitoring of compliance with 

regulations at both local and national level.  

Provide the means for financing the energy transformation  

Policy 

EN910 In order to stimulate demand reduction and efficiency, a Green government 

will use revenues from the carbon floor price and other energy taxes to create a 

revolving energy efficiency fund. Energy taxes are estimated to raise around £260 

billion between 2013-2027. This will be used: 

a) for homes, community organisations and small businesses to ensure energy bills 

are brought under control; 

b) to ensure homes can be kept warm affordably;  

c) to provide grants to improve the energy efficiency of fuel poor households;  

d) to subsidise where needed the interest rates paid on energy efficiency loans for 

owners of buildings;  

e) to support heat network development; 

f) to help industry change to a low carbon economy.  

Amendment 3 – c: 

Proposed by: Shaun Chamberlin*, Romayne Phoenix, Bianca Madison, Jonathan 

Essex, Christopher Shaw, Melanie Strickland, Tony Cooper. 

In EN910 change “revenues from the carbon floor price and other energy 

taxes” to “revenues from carbon quotas (see CC290), the carbon floor price and 

other energy taxes”. 

EN911 The existing level of “carbon tax” paid on fossil fuels used in electricity 

production will be extended to all fossil fuels and to methane emissions from 

extracting gas and coal. Therefore all fossil fuel use and extraction in the UK will be 

exposed to carbon taxes that will increase at a pre-determined trajectory. These 

carbon taxes will supplement the discredited EU-Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) 

that has been so ineffective at reducing emissions and discouraging high-carbon 

power generation. Rather than relying on the EU-ETS, the design and operation of 

which have proved susceptible to lobbying and manipulation by energy-intensive 

firms and nations, we will expand the carbon floor price to apply to all greenhouse 

gases emitted in the UK. 

Amendment 3 – d: 

Proposed by: Shaun Chamberlin*, Romayne Phoenix, Bianca Madison, Jonathan 

Essex, Christopher Shaw, Melanie Strickland, Tony Cooper. 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 40  Green Party of England and Wales 

In EN911 change “all fossil fuel use and extraction in the UK will be exposed to 

carbon taxes” to “all fossil fuel use and extraction in the UK will be exposed to 

carbon quotas (see CC290) and taxes”. 

EN912 We will establish frameworks for funding demand reduction and energy 

efficiency measures through feed-in tariff payments for efficiency schemes based on 

measured energy savings, VAT reductions on demand reduction work, council 

tax/business rate rebates and other tax breaks, and grants for approved works.  

EN913 We will provide energy efficiency loans; the interest rate on loans will be 

subsidised by the Green Investment Bank to be less than the rate of inflation. The 

more ambitious the project in terms of percentage of energy saved, the greater the 

level of interest rate subsidy that will be provided. Reliable and objective assessments 

will be conducted to measure energy savings. There will be discounts available to help 

finance higher cost measures. 

EN914 We will underwrite ‘green bonds’ via the Green Investment Bank to fund 

investment in deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technology, with 

tax breaks provided to retail and institutional investors for purchasing green bonds.  

EN915 We will require the public sector and encourage other sectors to use their 

substantial combined spending power to incentivise efficient technology 

development, improve construction standards and reduce the carbon (and energy) 

footprint of goods, services, vehicles and buildings purchased. We will restrict the 

public sector to purchasing from only the top quartile of available options by energy 

efficiency. 

EN920 Measures for funding the change to renewable energy will be established. 

EN921 We will immediately consult with industry and other experts to ensure that 

Electricity Market Reform (EMR) measures and other policies in the 2013 Energy Act 

facilitate rather than impede maximum deployment of renewables and energy 

efficiency technologies. 

EN922 We will introduce auctions for wind contracts as soon as possible, with auctions 

designed to ensure a minimum amount of offshore wind is contracted, in line with 

technology development, and will consult on and introduce a green power auction 

market (GPAM) that will deliver a stable price to independent generators, provide 

them with a reliable route to market and significantly reduce the cost of energy to 

citizens. The GPAM will be designed to meet the needs of small generators for whom 

the contract for difference arrangements will likely prove too complex and/or 

commercially unviable.   

EN923 We will extend the cap on small-scale feed-in tariffs to 50MW.  

EN924 Following consultation, we will replace complex contract-for-difference 

arrangements with feed-in tariffs that will decline with the decreasing cost of each 

energy generation and energy efficiency technology, with rates set at regular intervals 

and announced as far in advance as possible.  

EN925 We will replace flawed capacity market proposals likely to be high-cost and 

open to manipulation with an extension to the short term operating reserve and 

funding for establishing required levels of interconnection.  

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 41  Green Party of England and Wales 

EN926 We will review capital market conditions and set out options to support 

mobilisation of new sources of finance, such as from banks and institutional investors. 

This will include possible roles for Infrastructure UK and the Green Investment Bank. 

EN927 In accordance with the UK’s international G20 commitments, we will phase out 

socially and environmentally-destructive subsidies and tax breaks for fossil fuel 

extraction and production, using international best practice to maximise the chance of 

success, including: 

a) an independent and transparent assessment of the full extent, function and 

impacts of fossil fuel subsidies and the processes and players involved in their 

creation and operation; 

b) analysis of possible adverse impacts of reform and likely stakeholder response; 

c) early stakeholder consultation to ensure needs and concerns are understood and 

to enable design of appropriate mitigating measures where necessary; 

d) targeted support for vulnerable groups with sun-setting clauses to ensure that the 

fiscal burden of fossil fuel subsidies is not replaced by that of entrenched mitigating 

policies; 

e) phased removal to enable recipients to adjust and for mitigating measures to be 

implemented without allowing vested interests to delay reforms; 

f) use of independent organisations and automatic and transparent mechanisms to 

set fossil fuel prices post-reform. 

Money saved from eliminating regressive fossil fuel subsidies will be used to support 

energy efficiency measures as well as the diversification and restructuring of the 

energy generation and supply networks and the elimination of fuel poverty. 

Strengthen International energy policy 

Policy  

EN1001 A Green government will work with relevant international agencies to reduce 

global greenhouse gas emissions. We will work with EU partners to improve and 

tighten EU regulations on energy efficiency and carbon reduction; this will include 

seeking to improve the current EU Emissions Trading Scheme and development of 

measures to reduce the embodied carbon of goods traded within the EU. 

EN1002 We will seek multilateral agreements to limit the impact of international air 

traffic and shipping on GHG emissions, and to improve the energy efficiency of 

shipping. 

EN1003  We will work at EU and international level to halt the exploitation of ‘extreme 

fossil fuels’, including polar and deep sea exploitation as well as extraction of oil and 

gas from tar sands and shale. 

EN1004: We will strongly support UN and other international efforts to curb GHG 

emissions in the context of climate change negotiations and through cooperation on 

environmentally responsible energy policy. 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 42  Green Party of England and Wales 

EN1005 The Green Party will support and encourage the transfer and exchange of 

energy efficiency, renewable energy generation distribution and storage technology 

and expertise between nations  

EN1006 We will seek to rapidly advance international coordinated research, 

development and deployment of techniques for carbon capture and storage. 

End of new energy policy chapter. 

In addition to changes to the energy chapter, changes are required to other chapters 

to ensure consistency with the proposed replacement energy chapter. 

Insert new CC202 and renumber current CC202 – 205 accordingly. 

CC202 In 2030 the targeted 10% as in CC201 (approximately 80 MtCO2e) UK GHG 

emissions per year will be split approximately as follows: 

• 100 MtCO2e for energy as covered by the Energy chapter. This includes buildings, 

travel and industry but excludes international air and shipping as per the Kyoto 

protocol; 

• 20 MtCO2e for food and agriculture as covered by the Food and Agriculture chapter 

• -40 MtCO2e for sequestration covered by Forestry and Food and Agriculture 

In addition the target is 20 MtCO2e for international air travel and shipping. 

Embedded emissions in imports (minus exports) are not included in these targets. 

Changing land use for food imports is also not included in these targets. 

Amendment 7: 

Proposed by: Nicola Dodgson*, Jonathan Essex, Shaun Chamberlin, Sam Riches, 

Pippa Bartolotti. 

Delete the last two sentences of CC202 and replace with: 

"Embedded emissions in imports (minus exports) are included in these targets. 

Changing land use overseas for food or other imports are also included in these 

targets." 

Current CC281 

CC281 A reduction in livestock farming will have implications for land use, agriculture 

and human diets. Our policies for sustainable agriculture (see Agriculture chapter as 

well as EU542, EC952, CY524, EN508, FD302) will achieve a transition away from the 

production of animal products towards production for predominantly plant-based 

diets and bring other opportunities for farmers to diversify. The Green Party will 

manage this transition sensitively, so as well as reducing direct and indirect 

greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, it will bring benefits for farmers, 

consumers, the environment and animal welfare (see AR403). 

Delete “EN508, “ from CC281. 

Current CC290 

CC290 The principles of C&C would also provide the basis for reductions in emissions 

within the UK, through the introduction of a system of tradable quotas. This system 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 43  Green Party of England and Wales 

should cover all emissions of carbon dioxide produced by burning of fossil fuels in the 

UK. On introduction of the system the total carbon quota would be equivalent to 

current emission levels, but would reduce year-on- year to meet the targets set out in 

section C1 Carbon quota would be needed for all purchases of electricity (if not from a 

renewable source), air flights and direct purchase of fossil fuels including gas, coal, 

petrol, diesel and fuel oil. Consideration would be given to also including long distance 

train travel. A system for buying and selling quotas would be established. 

Delete CC290. 

Amendment 3 – e: 

Proposed by: Shaun Chamberlin*, Romayne Phoenix, Bianca Madison, Jonathan 

Essex, Christopher Shaw, Melanie Strickland, Tony Cooper. 

Remove instruction to Delete CC290 

Current CC291 

CC291 A proportion of the total quota would be distributed free of charge to all 

eligible individuals in the UK, with all adults receiving an equal amount. The remaining 

quota would be sold to organisations (public, private and voluntary) by a system set up 

by the government. 

Delete CC291. 

Amendment 3 – f: 

Proposed by: Shaun Chamberlin*, Romayne Phoenix, Bianca Madison, Jonathan 

Essex, Christopher Shaw, Melanie Strickland, Tony Cooper. 

Remove instruction to Delete CC291 

Current CC292 

CC292 In addition to the introduction of quotas there would be a major programme of 

investment in energy conservation, energy efficient appliances, public transport and 

renewable energy technology, so that people are able to live within their quotas. This 

investment would be achieved through a programme of public spending and through 

the revision of technical standards, such as building regulations and standards for 

energy efficiency of appliances. The details of these measures are set out elsewhere in 

the PSS. See in particular: 

• AG206 (Agriculture) 

• EC786 (UK Taxation). 

• EC921 (International Economic Management) 

• EN500-511 (Energy Conservation) 

• EN800-816 (Renewables) 

• EU521-2 (Transport within the EU) 

• F202 (Forestry) 

• HO501-2 & 605 (House Building Standards) 

• LP403 (Building Location) 

• LP500-504 (Conservation in Buildings) 

• TR010 (Transport - Aims) 

• TR040-049 (Renewable Fuels) 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 44  Green Party of England and Wales 

• TR063-066 (Charges and Taxes) 

• TR100-102 (School Transport) 

• TR200 (Public Transport) 

• TR300 (Personal motorised transport) 

• TR330 (Freight) 

• TR430-1 (Shipping) 

• TR500-3 & 550 (Air Transport) 

Delete “In addition to the introduction of quotas there would” with “There shall” in 

CC292. 

Delete “, so that people are able to live within their quotas” in CC292. 

Amendment 3 – g: 

Proposed by: Shaun Chamberlin*, Romayne Phoenix, Bianca Madison, Jonathan 

Essex, Christopher Shaw, Melanie Strickland, Tony Cooper. 

Remove instruction to Delete “In addition to the introduction of quotas there 

would” with “There shall” and “, so that people are able to live within their 

quotas” from CC292. 

Replace “EN500-511 (Energy Conservation) and EN800-816 (Renewables)”  with 

“EN610-631 (RD&D), EN810-824 (Regulation), EN910-927 (Finance)” in CC292. 

Current EC783 

EC783 The principal way of reducing UK carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels will 

be through a system of tradable quotas (see CC290). A resource tax on fossil fuels may 

be levied to reflect other environmental impacts of their production and use. 

Delete “a system of tradable quotas (see CC290)” and replace with “carbon taxes (see 

EN910-927)” in EC783. 

Delete “A resource tax on fossil fuels may be levied to reflect other environmental 

impacts of their production and use.” in EC783. 

Current EC1032  

EC1032 The Green Party's policies on Transport and Taxation, in particular our policies 

on fuel taxation, import duties and transport planning address these issues 

(see TR030 to TR038 and TR040 to TR049, EC786). 

Replace TR049 with TR048 in EC1032. 

Current FA420 (c ) 

To reduce fossil fuel use and the vulnerability of global food supply to climate change 

and rises in the price of fossil fuel, we will support localisation, self-reliance and a 

shortening of the food chain, together with more equitable trade and distribution of 

food globally. (See CC022, EN106, FA440-448, FA500-502) 

Delete “EN106, “ from FA420 (c ). 

Current FA636 

FA636 The Green Party will shift subsidies away from highly mechanised, fossil fuel- 

dependent agriculture towards low-input and low-impact agriculture. We will assist 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 45  Green Party of England and Wales 

farmers in making a transition to more sustainable and more labour-intensive 

methods of production. We will use taxes, regulation and subsidies to discourage large 

land holdings, amalgamation of farms and the use of monocultures in agriculture and 

to support smaller farms and greater agricultural diversity. (See also CY522- 

3, EN509, EU542) 

Delete “EN509, “ from FA636. 

Current FA740 

FA470 The Green Party will encourage diversification to non-food crops on an 

appropriate and sustainable scale, for instance on land of marginal agricultural value 

and to provide materials currently derived from fossil fuels. We will encourage small- 

scale and appropriate use of crop residues and by-products, including retention on the 

land to maintain soil organic matter, composting and biogas generation. (See 

also EN814, EU545 and NR413)  

Replace “EN814” with “EN222” in FA740. 

Current FA742 

FA742 The Green Party supports the appropriate siting of wind turbines on agricultural 

land and solar energy systems on farm buildings. Every farm would be entitled to a 

free survey by an approved body to determine the most appropriate renewable energy 

source for their farm and to provide information on ways of funding and enhancing 

their investment. (See also EN817).  

Replace “EN817” with “EN240” in FA742. 

Current HO502 

HO502 All new housing will be designed for low energy use, and the same standards 

applied retrospectively to existing houses where practicable. All sellers of houses will 

make energy use estimates available to buyers (See EN506). For existing houses 

insulation publicity campaigns and grants to low income households will encourage 

energy efficiency. (See HO605 below) 

Replace “EN506” with “EN812” in HO502. 

Current IN623 

IN623 Industries that need targeting include pollution control (see Pollution); 

transport (see Transport); energy conservation and generation (see Energy); 

agriculture (see Agriculture); and materials reuse (see Natural Resources). Some 

industries are important but must be radically altered, for example, the defence and 

chemical industries (see PD312-PD313). Other industries can never be sustainable and 

must be phased out, for example, the nuclear industry (see EN600). Reduction of 

employment in declining or undesirable industries must be managed in a socially 

responsible manner. 

Replace “EN600” with “EN140-141 and EN261” in IN623. 

Current MC378 

MC378 The Green Party is in favour of harnessing the potential of tidal energy at 

estuaries subject to environmental and sustainability criteria being met. See EN816 for 

more information. 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 46  Green Party of England and Wales 

Replace “EN816” with “EN213” in MC378. 

Current NR413 

NR413 Water companies will be required to enter into joint arrangements with 

Regional Waste Disposal Authorities to build digestion plants to produce biogas 

and/or compost from organic waste from agricultural sources, sewage and municipal 

waste (see EN812). The discharge into domestic sewers of polluting waste from 

industry which would detrimentally affect digestion or digestion products will be 

prohibited. 

Replace “EN812” with “EN222” in NR413. 

Current NR415 viii) 

viii) nevertheless large-scale incineration of residual waste (that is after dry-recyclables 

and compostable waste have been removed so far as they can be) is usually 

dangerously polluting, and still creates a toxic final product for landfill (see EN813); 

Delete “(see EN813)” from NR415 viii). 

Current NR423 

NR423 A system of Resource Taxation will be introduced (see EC780s, EN501) to 

impose a levy at the earliest possible point in the harvesting or extraction processes 

for all natural resources. The Natural Resource Tax will be applied at the forest, quarry, 

mine or port of entry, with the Natural Resources Department advising the Treasury 

on the levels at which it should be set. Resource Taxes will be levied at a zero or 

reduced rate on recycled materials and at a zero rate on reused products. The effect of 

Resource Taxation will be to encourage not only sustainable production but also waste 

reduction, recycling and avoidance through reuse and repair. As a transitional step 

towards the full introduction of Resource Taxation, a zero VAT rating will be 

introduced for the use of recycled materials and reused packaging. 

Delete “, EN501” from NR423. 

Current TM054 

TM054 Canals and other waterways offer sustainable opportunities for tourism with 

limited consumption of resources. We encourage the use of renewable energy and 

sustainable fuels for waterborne transport (see EN302). Canals, rivers and waterways 

used for tourism need to be managed to ensure minimum disruption to the local 

ecology by tourist activities there. Speed restrictions on motorised craft must be 

enforced. 

Delete “(see EN302)” from TM054. 

Current TR049 

TR049 However, even with an aggressive programme of conservation and the 

adoption of Green Party transport and other policies, it will be difficult to produce 

enough energy from renewable resources to meet current demand. A large-scale 

programme of personal electric vehicle introduction is inappropriate until great 

progress has been made in energy conservation and renewable energy production 

generally. The Green Party does not advocate it as a solution to transport problems. 

Delete TR049 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 47  Green Party of England and Wales 

Amendment 1 – f: 

Proposed by: Oliver Price*, Ashley Rolleston, Paul Jenkins, Natasha Thrale, Lowri 

Nia Knibbs Vaughn, Ian Norris, Keri Edmonds, Chris Pritchard. 

EU501 The Green Party supports the closure of all nuclear programmes in the 

EU and elsewhere as soon as technically feasible. 

In EU501 delete “the closure of all nuclear programmes in the EU and 

elsewhere as soon as technically feasible.” 

And replace with: 

“a balanced expansion of nuclear programmes in the EU where doing so will 

prevent the building of fossil fuelled power plants.” 

So that it reads: 

EU501 The Green Party supports a balanced expansion of nuclear programmes 

in the EU where doing so will prevent the building of fossil fuelled power 

plants. 

Original EU502 & EU503 

EU502 The Euratom Treaty should be rapidly brought to an end. In the 

meantime, the Treaty should become subject to oversight by the European 

Parliament, and to the ordinary legislative procedure. A new Energy Chapter in 

the Treaty of European Union should promote the use of renewable energy 

sources, energy efficiency, and sustainable energy sources. The Chapter should 

deal with all matters relating to energy generation in a coherent , 

comprehensive and balanced fashion. 

EU503 The International Atomic Energy Agency, the Nuclear Agency and the 

European Atomic Energy Agency should be fused into one body responsible for 

decommissioning nuclear installations. That body should become part of the 

International Alternative Energy Agency responsible for the promotion and 

development of alternative energy sources. 

Delete EU502 and EU503 and renumber 

Original EU504 

EU504 In the meantime, the Euratom Treaty should be revised so its objective 

no longer remains the promotion of nuclear power. It should be limited to 

matters of safety of installations and protection of health of workers in the 

industry and affected populations. 

Replace EU504 (which would now be EU502) with: 

EU504 The Green Party should push to add additional clauses to the Euratom 

Treaty to invest in the future of nuclear power through investments in nuclear 

science research. 

Original EU505 & 506 

EU505 The Euratom Treaty should include: a legal right for neighbouring 

countries to participate in the procedures concerning the construction, 

operation and decommissioning of nuclear plants; "same for all" safety 

Autumn Conference 2014, First Agenda   Page 48  Green Party of England and Wales 

standards at the highest level for nuclear plants; tighter radiation protection 

standards (following the ALAP as low as possible principle instead of ALARA as 

low as reasonably achievable); full legal liability for damages for the 

manufacturers and operators of nuclear installations, and a requirement for 

full and open access to data and provision of information. 

EU506 The transfer of employees within the energy industry from nuclear to 

other energy sectors is a European priority. Within the EU regional economic 

policies must take into account the possibility of structural unemployment 

resulting from the closure in the short-term in some countries. Co-operation 

should continue on safest possible nuclear waste storage and disposal, and 

involve any state with a nuclear industry. 

Delete EU505 and 506 and renumber 

Original EU507 

EU507 Research, which is currently subsidising big industries such as 

biotechnology, nuclear and aeronautics, should be redirected into ecologically 

sustainable projects. 

Delete EU507 and Replace with: 

EU507 We support the augmentation of research that can further lessen 

dependence on fossil fuels for a sustainable future. Such research should 

include solar, wind, and nuclear technologies such as fusion and molten salt 

reactors. 

Original HE324 

HE324 The Green Party will support research into healthcare at all levels, but 

especially into public health, epidemiology, nursing and community care, and 

particularly in the community and primary care settings. The Green Party will 

prioritise research and appropriate funding into the environmental causes of 

cancer. 

The Green Party will set in place methods whereby statistics necessary for 

research into assessment of health risks (particularly in areas where heavy, 

chemical and nuclear industries are located), are available with the maximum 

accessibility for all academic, commercial or individual use. All existing health 

statistics to also be made freely available.   

The Green Party will introduce procedures for dealing with medical/scientific 

personnel whose positions in the research and/or licensing system give rise to 

conflicts of interest.  

Steps shall be taken to ensure that medical research should meet the identified 

medical needs of society, and to make medical research institutions 

democratically accountable. We shall seek to end the situation whereby 

commercial investment determines research programmes in universities and 

public institutions. Attention shall be given to basic health research areas 

which have been neglected in the past.  Rigorous assessment, monitoring and 

audit of new technologies will be undertaken prior to their general application. 

Policy on animal experiments is contained in the Animal Rights section. While 

animal experiments continue to be used in medical research, the Green Party 

will press for a thorough evaluation of animal tests used to predict safety and 

effectiveness of medicines and treatments, based on a comparison of existing 

research and data using animal tests with equivalent human biology-based 

tests, to determine the best means to predict the safety and effectiveness of 

medicines and treatments for patients The Green Party acknowledges the 

existing and potential future benefits to humans and other animals from stem 

cell technologies, using both adult and embryonic cellular material. These 

benefits include direct medical advances, improved non-animal testing 

methods for new medical treatments, and the advancement of knowledge. 

However, we also emphasize the importance of continuing ethical regulation, 

adequate government funding, and transparency of research in the areas of 

embryonic and adult stem cell technologies, to protect donors and the public 

health. 

In HE324, paragraph 2, delete “and nuclear” from the sentence “(particularly in 

areas where heavy, chemical and nuclear industries are located)” and delete 

the comma and insert the word “and” between heavy and chemical so that it 

reads: 

“(particularly in areas where heavy and chemical industries are located),” 

Original TR472: 

TR472 The Green Party would implement an immediate ban on the shipment 

of all nuclear fuel, plutonium and high-level radioactive waste. 

Delete “implement an immediate ban on the shipment of all” 

And replace with: “ensure the safe transport of” 

So that it reads: 

“TR472 The Green Party would ensure the safe transport of nuclear fuel, 

plutonium and high level radioactive waste.” 

Original IP430 

IP430 TNCs currently producing chemicals which damage the ozone layer, 

exporting damaging pesticides which are banned in the country of origin, and 

exporting nuclear technology, should be the subject of immediate restrictions 

by Government. Eventually, it should become illegal to export goods which 

would not satisfy standards required in Britain. 

In IP430 delete “and exporting nuclear technology” so that it reads: 

IP430 TNCs currently producing chemicals which damage the ozone layer, 

exporting damaging pesticides which are banned in the country of origin, 

should be the subject of immediate restrictions by Government. It should 

become illegal to export goods which would not satisfy standards required in 

Britain.