This White Paper sets out the UK's transition plan, to 2020, for becoming a low carbon country: cutting emissions, maintaining secure energy supply, maximising economic opportunities and protecting the most vulnerable. The plan will deliver emission cuts of 18 per cent on 2008 levels. Key steps include: all government departments to have carbon budgets; 40 per cent of energy from low carbon sources including 30 per cent of energy from renewables; funding of four demonstrations of capturing and storing emissions from coal power stations; and, new nuclear power stations.
Homes will be made greener by: GBP 3.2 billion to help households become more energy efficient; rolling out smart meters to all homes by 2020; piloting 'pay as you save' schemes; introducing clean energy cash-back schemes; and, a competition for 15 towns and villages to be pioneers in green innovation. Vulnerable sections of society will be helped by: mandated social price support; piloting a community-based approach to delivering green homes in low income areas, helping around 90,000 homes; and, increasing Warm Front grants.
The greening of industry will be addressed through support for development and use of clean technologies, including GBP 120 million in offshore wind and GBP 60 million towards marine energy. Transport will be transformed: carbon dioxide emissions from new cars to be cut across the EU by 40 per cent on 2007 levels and increased support for electric cars; and, sourcing 10 per cent of UK transport energy from renewable sources.