That this House expresses its concern that renewable energy subsidies for electricity generated from biomass, most of which is generated using imported wood pellets, are resulting in energy bill-payers paying for expensive, high-carbon electricity; notes that burning wood to generate electricity is a high-carbon power source; further notes that burning biomass to generate electricity damages forests and biodiversity, pollutes communities in source countries and at the point of generation and worsens climate change; notes that more than £1 billion in biomass subsidies were paid out in 2017, equivalent to more than £38 per household; notes the recent warning by the IPCC that substantial progress on comprehensive decarbonisation of the economy must be made in just a dozen years if we are to avoid catastrophic damage to the climate; calls on the Government to follow the logic of its recent decision effectively to end new subsidy for large-scale import-dependent biomass under Contracts for Difference, and to remove subsidy for biomass under the Renewable Obligation scheme; and further calls on the Government to instead direct funding towards renewable, low-carbon electricity sources including solar and wind.

That this House expresses its concern that renewable energy subsidies for electricity generated from biomass, most of which is generated using imported wood pellets, are resulting in energy bill-payers paying for expensive, high-carbon electricity; notes that burning wood to generate electricity is a high-carbon power source; further notes that burning...

That this House expresses its concern that renewable energy subsidies for electricity generated from biomass are resulting in damaging impacts diametrically opposite to intended policy outcomes for which those subsidies were instituted; notes that biomass damages forests and biodiversity, pollutes communities in source countries and at home and makes climate change worse; further notes that £827 million in biomass subsidies was paid out by the Government in 2017 amounting to more than £30 per household on average; believes that the Government should follow the logic of its recent decision to effectively end new subsidies for large-scale import-dependent biomass under Contracts for Difference; and calls on the Government to remove subsidies already granted for biomass under the Renewable Obligation Certificate scheme.

That this House expresses its concern that renewable energy subsidies for electricity generated from biomass are resulting in damaging impacts diametrically opposite to intended policy outcomes for which those subsidies were instituted; notes that biomass damages forests and biodiversity, pollutes communities in source countries and at home and makes climate...

That this House notes the huge impact that fracking has on local communities; further notes the lack of consultation undertaken with local residents when national fracking decisions are made; rejects the Government 's National Planning Policy Framework which neglects the voices of local people who completely oppose it; and calls on the Government to give local residents the power and influence in planning in their communities and not allow fracking companies to have a free reign to override residents’ very real concerns.

That this House notes the huge impact that fracking has on local communities; further notes the lack of consultation undertaken with local residents when national fracking decisions are made; rejects the Government 's National Planning Policy Framework which neglects the voices of local people who completely oppose it; and calls...

That this House calls on the Government to announce in the forthcoming Budget to proceed with Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon as a pathfinder project, as recommended in the Hendry Review, as it represents value for money; refers the Government to the fact that the proposed financing structure was developed in 2016 with officials from HM Treasury and meets all the National Audit Office tests on value for money; notes that in addition a decision to proceed can deliver huge social and economic value including the creation of a new British industry, the benefits of learning from a first-of-kind project, direct and indirect job creation, public amenity and carbon reduction; is impressed that even as a first of a kind project Swansea Bay requires less subsidy per unit of electricity produced than Hinkley Point C and less subsidy than any UK offshore wind farm built to date, as well as requiring a lower financial return than new nuclear and offshore wind; further notes the project would take up less than 0.4 per cent of the Government's allocation to low carbon subsidies, initially costing 18 pence per annum per household, followed by a period of subsidy-free electricity far exceeding the lifespan of an offshore wind farm; and believes proceeding with Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon will unlock a major new British industry highly complementary to the UK's offshore wind industry, given tidal power's predictability and reliability.

That this House calls on the Government to announce in the forthcoming Budget to proceed with Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon as a pathfinder project, as recommended in the Hendry Review, as it represents value for money; refers the Government to the fact that the proposed financing structure was developed in...

That this House notes the Government's previous commitment to the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon (SBTL); highlights the recommendation to launch the SBTL project in the Hendry Review commissioned by the Government; further notes the Hendry Review described it as a matter of urgency; acknowledges the Conservative Party's failure to include the project in its election manifesto and in its Queen's speech, despite having previously committed to it in the last Parliament; welcomes the companies and firms that are on standby to bid for the procurement; notes that this energy scheme will encourage students towards STEM subjects and will give them a credible prospect of working in Wales; notes the potential of private capital investment in Wales and the generation of power for 155,000 homes over 120 years; recognises the opportunities the scheme will bring into Wales such as leisure, tourism and maritime activities; and calls on the Government to renew its commitment to the SBTL project and invest in Wales as they have in Northern Ireland.

That this House notes the Government's previous commitment to the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon (SBTL); highlights the recommendation to launch the SBTL project in the Hendry Review commissioned by the Government; further notes the Hendry Review described it as a matter of urgency; acknowledges the Conservative Party's failure to include...

That this House welcomes the announcement that the Green Investment Bank's Offshore Wind Fund has exceeded its original £1 billion investment target; notes that the Fund is the world's first dedicated offshore wind fund and Europe's largest dedicated renewable energy fund, providing long-term institutional investors with the opportunity to access the UK's green infrastructure sector; understands that the six projects the Fund has invested in have a capacity of 1.45GW producing over 4,500 GWh renewable electricity each year, resulting in the avoidance of almost 2 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, and that the portfolio will also result in avoidance of emissions to air and consumption of fossil fuel; believes that the announcement is a strong indicator of the growing maturity of the UK offshore wind sector; further notes with concern reports that the Green Investment Bank will be asset stripped if it is transferred to the private sector; and calls on the Government immediately to halt the proposed sale of the Green Investment Bank.

That this House welcomes the announcement that the Green Investment Bank's Offshore Wind Fund has exceeded its original £1 billion investment target; notes that the Fund is the world's first dedicated offshore wind fund and Europe's largest dedicated renewable energy fund, providing long-term institutional investors with the opportunity to access...

That this House congratulates the management and employees at Siemens Wind Power on the completion of the first wind turbine blade to be produced at its new site in Hull's Alexandra Dock; welcomes the news that the company has employed almost 700 people in Hull so far, with 96 per cent living within a 30 mile radius of the city, and that recruitment will continue into 2017 up to a total of 1000 jobs; highlights the transformation of what was a post-industrial waterfront location into a world class hub for wind power manufacturing, logistics and assembly; and commends this as an example of industrial strategy in practice, creating new, local, skilled jobs and sustainable growth, to the benefit of the economy and society, and helping the UK to meet its climate change targets

That this House congratulates the management and employees at Siemens Wind Power on the completion of the first wind turbine blade to be produced at its new site in Hull's Alexandra Dock; welcomes the news that the company has employed almost 700 people in Hull so far, with 96 per...

That this House notes the urgency of tackling climate change and the Government’s signing of the Paris Agreement; further notes the first International Energy Association annual report on global energy investment which warns that global investment in renewables needs to triple to meet the Paris Agreement commitments; takes note of the report from the Energy and Climate Change Committee warning that the UK’s existing 2020 renewable energy targets are unlikely to be met; expresses deep concern at the changes to the rateable value of rooftop photovoltaic solar panels being proposed by the Valuation Office Agency, which may result in a six to eight-fold increase in the business rate charges to businesses, community groups and schools for the use of their own rooftop solar across the UK; notes the popularity, importance and affordability of solar power; and calls on the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for Communities and Local Government and HM Treasury to take action to prevent unexpected and extreme business rate rises for solar and thus guarantee that the industry and its diverse investors are treated consistently to help ensure the rapid and cost-effective transition to a low-carbon UK economy.

That this House notes the urgency of tackling climate change and the Government’s signing of the Paris Agreement; further notes the first International Energy Association annual report on global energy investment which warns that global investment in renewables needs to triple to meet the Paris Agreement commitments; takes note of...

That this House notes that 26 April 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster; further notes that according to the IAEA and WHO, the magnitude and scope of that disaster, the size of the affected populations and its long-term consequences make it, by far, the worst industrial disaster on record; notes that official figures state that over six million people were exposed to high levels of radioactive contamination and 100 million to lower levels; recognises that Chernobyl's health effects remain devastating and that tens of thousands of fatal cancers are expected to occur, with 6,000 thyroid cancer cases diagnosed already; regrets the Government's continued obsession reported with nuclear electricity generation; and calls on the Government to restore its policies of supporting renewable energies which are safer, quicker to implement, much less expensive and without the potential for such disastrous effects.

That this House notes that 26 April 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster; further notes that according to the IAEA and WHO, the magnitude and scope of that disaster, the size of the affected populations and its long-term consequences make it, by far, the worst industrial...

That this House notes the recent statement by the Energy Minister that the UK will enshrine in law the goal of reaching zero carbon emissions; further notes that the UK is already under a legal obligation to reduce emissions by 80 per cent by 2050; entirely agrees with the Energy Minister that the UK should be aiming for emissions as close to zero as possible if it is to avoid dangerous levels of climate change; notes that because the total amount of carbon emitted will determine the amount by which temperatures rise, it is essential to front-load carbon cuts and start reducing emissions as soon and as quickly as possible; urges the Government to take all possible steps to start cutting carbon emissions as rapidly as possible, including by de-carbonising the energy supply; observes that new nuclear power stations take decades to come online, while wind and solar power can be set up much more quickly and cheaply; notes that investing in infrastructure for shale gas would lock the UK into further carbon emissions, and is also unnecessary given the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of wind and solar; fully supports the Government in taking measures to cut the UK's carbon emissions as much as possible; calls on the Government to reconsider their support for fracking and their cuts in support for solar in the light of this commitment to cut emissions to zero; and further urges the Government to start the process of legislating to achieve zero-carbon Britain as soon as possible.

That this House notes the recent statement by the Energy Minister that the UK will enshrine in law the goal of reaching zero carbon emissions; further notes that the UK is already under a legal obligation to reduce emissions by 80 per cent by 2050; entirely agrees with the Energy...

That this House is alarmed by the Government proposals to cut by up to 87 per cent support for the solar feed-in tariff scheme which supports small-scale renewables, thereby decimating the rooftop solar industry throughout the UK; notes that such a strategy will put at least 20,000 people at risk of losing their jobs, result in almost one million fewer solar schemes being installed by the year 2020 and increase UK carbon emissions by 1.6 million tonnes per annum; believes such action will result in householders, schools, community groups and facilities being economically forced out of the solar revolution for a cost saving of less than energy companies routinely overcharge their customers; and calls on the Government to desist from this action immediately.

That this House is alarmed by the Government proposals to cut by up to 87 per cent support for the solar feed-in tariff scheme which supports small-scale renewables, thereby decimating the rooftop solar industry throughout the UK; notes that such a strategy will put at least 20,000 people at risk...

That this House notes with great concern the Government's plans to cut support for solar power by cutting the feed-in tariff by 87 per cent; believes that will be extremely destructive for the solar industry; observes that solar power is renewable, carbon-free, and is rapidly becoming cheaper, with the cost coming down by 70 per cent in the last five years; understands that the UK must switch urgently away from fossil fuels in order to fulfil its commitment to cut carbon emissions and avoid dangerous levels of damage to the climate; further believes that it is crucial to support solar and other renewable sources of energy in order to achieve this switch; entirely opposes the plans to cut support for solar power, and believes that instead the Government should step up support; further notes that solar power is rapidly becoming cheaper and is approaching parity with fossil fuels, but as a new and rapidly growing industry it requires support; further observes that dangerous and polluting fossil fuels receive a huge amount of taxpayer subsidies; notes that this cut to support for solar power will save at most £6 per household on energy bills, but that energy companies routinely over-charge their customers by £230; notes estimates that getting solar power to grid parity would cost just an extra £1.70 per year on energy bills; observes that solar power has a huge amount of public support, unlike fracking; and calls on the Government urgently to reconsider these plans.

That this House notes with great concern the Government's plans to cut support for solar power by cutting the feed-in tariff by 87 per cent; believes that will be extremely destructive for the solar industry; observes that solar power is renewable, carbon-free, and is rapidly becoming cheaper, with the cost...

That this House notes the successful development of small scale hydro supported via Feed-in-Tariff, with 177 MW of small scale hydro now available in Scotland, which represents 75 per cent of UK capacity; recognises the importance of this additional clean energy generation at a time of tightening electricity capacity margins and concerns over climate change; further notes the benefits to the renewable energy and construction sectors in terms of protecting jobs in these sectors; further notes that hydro has the lowest lifetime cost of all renewable technologies; shares the concerns of Scottish Renewables and the British Hydropower Association about the impact of the proposed deep cuts to the Feed-In-Tariff for small scale hydro; further notes the consistent representations made on this issue by the Scottish Government over the last year; and urges the Government to reconsider its plans and instead ensure a more planned and gradual reduction in support for small scale hydro, thus ensuring this popular and clean source of electricity is maximised.

That this House notes the successful development of small scale hydro supported via Feed-in-Tariff, with 177 MW of small scale hydro now available in Scotland, which represents 75 per cent of UK capacity; recognises the importance of this additional clean energy generation at a time of tightening electricity capacity margins...

That this House welcomes the growing fossil fuel divestment movement in the UK, consisting of universities, churches, institutions, pension holders and other individuals demonstrating climate leadership by withdrawing financial support from the fossil fuel industry; further welcomes Global Divestment Day taking place on 13 and 14 February 2015; recalls that in June 2014 British Medical Association members voted to end investments in the fossil-fuel industry and increase investment in renewable energy, because of the serious health threat posed by unmitigated climate change; notes the Unhealthy Investments report from UK health-based non-governmental organisations, which calls for other health organisations to end investment in the 200 largest publicly-listed fossil fuel companies, over a period of five years; acknowledges the work of Carbon Tracker in highlighting financial risks of investment in high-carbon assets and the carbon bubble; further notes that the Governor of the Bank of England is among numerous high-profile figures agreeing that the vast majority of fossil fuel companies' reserves cannot be burned if the internationally agreed goal of limiting global temperatures to below two degrees above pre-industrial levels is to be achieved; considers that hon. Members have a responsibility to demonstrate leadership on climate change; and calls on the Trustees of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Scheme to quantify and review the Fund's investments in fossil fuel industries in light of both their contribution to advancing climate change and the risks facing those industries from effective climate regulation.

That this House welcomes the growing fossil fuel divestment movement in the UK, consisting of universities, churches, institutions, pension holders and other individuals demonstrating climate leadership by withdrawing financial support from the fossil fuel industry; further welcomes Global Divestment Day taking place on 13 and 14 February 2015; recalls that...

That this House congratulates Stockport Hydro, a renewable energy scheme on the River Goyt, Marple in Stockport which generates renewable electricity and has been feeding it into the National Grid since October 2012 for being Greater Manchester's first community-owned hydro-electric project and for passing its 100,000 thousandth kilowatt hour of power generation in March 2013; commends its use of the Government's feed in tariff scheme to enable the costs of the project; notes that any profits made will not only be returned to investors but will be distributed amongst community-based projects in Stockport; recognises that the scheme will yield 20 per cent more electricity than originally anticipated; and therefore calls on the Government to showcase Stockport Hydro as a national example to encourage other towns to set up similar community-owned renewable energy schemes across the UK, to simplify the administration of such schemes by reviewing the current burden, often daunting, to small community schemes of planning, fundraising and financing, accreditation (Ofgem), monitoring (Energy Alternatives), documentation and tariffs reform and to ensure that the loan criteria of the Green Bank facilitates support for similar projects in the future.

That this House congratulates Stockport Hydro, a renewable energy scheme on the River Goyt, Marple in Stockport which generates renewable electricity and has been feeding it into the National Grid since October 2012 for being Greater Manchester's first community-owned hydro-electric project and for passing its 100,000 thousandth kilowatt hour of...

That this House recalls, on the second anniversary of the massive accident at Fukushima, that all but one of Japan's 54 nuclear reactors have remained shut since the accident, because of public opposition and fear of nuclear power, and will remain closed for at least another year and despite this Japanese industry and civil society have not suffered power cuts, demonstrating the marginal contribution of nuclear power; believes this is a fine opportunity for a sustainable energy nuclear-free strategy in the UK to boost new renewable energy technologies and fuel efficiency; and congratulates those resisting EDF's demands for a guaranteed £30 billion of subsidies in the short term and £150 billion over 40 years for new nuclear stations when those under construction are several years late and many billions of pounds over budget in France and Finland.

That this House recalls, on the second anniversary of the massive accident at Fukushima, that all but one of Japan's 54 nuclear reactors have remained shut since the accident, because of public opposition and fear of nuclear power, and will remain closed for at least another year and despite this...

That this House recognises the important role of heat pumps, as identified in the Government's Carbon Plan and Heat Strategy, in reducing consumer fuel bills and in decarbonising the heat supply to buildings; welcomes the objective of the fourth carbon budget for the deployment of 6.8 million domestic heat pumps by 2030; further welcomes the Heat Pump Charter produced by eight leading companies in the heat pumps sector, which highlights how energy companies, manufacturers and Government can work together to achieve the fourth carbon budget uptake objectives; and hopes the Government will work to achieve this aim.

That this House recognises the important role of heat pumps, as identified in the Government's Carbon Plan and Heat Strategy, in reducing consumer fuel bills and in decarbonising the heat supply to buildings; welcomes the objective of the fourth carbon budget for the deployment of 6.8 million domestic heat pumps...