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.
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