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Home / TUC calls on Cameron to keep promise on low-carbon investment

TUC calls on Cameron to keep promise on low-carbon investment

By agency reporter
December 1, 2015

As David Cameron met global leaders for climate talks in Paris, the  Trades Union Congress (TUC) called on him to protect vital funding for low-carbon projects in the UK.

The Conservative Party promised in its 2015 election manifesto that it would “protect our planet for our children by committing £1 billion for carbon capture and storage”.

However, ministers announced in last week’s Spending Review that the government would no longer deliver on this £1 billion pledge.

The TUC says the decision could have dire consequences for jobs and vital initiatives like the White Rose Project in Yorkshire.

Research published in October showed that with proper support the White Rose Project could create hundreds of construction and supply-chain jobs in the region.  It could help steel, chemical and other heavy industries to cut emissions and save on energy costs, says the TUC.

The Carbon Capture and Storage Association say that investing in carbon capture technology could create 15,000 new jobs in the UK over the next 15 years.

However, despite promising to be the “greenest government” ever, since 2010 the Prime Minister has:

• Applied the Climate Change Levy to renewable energy
• Cut renewable energy subsidies for onshore wind
• Cut subsidies for larger solar power schemes
• Cut subsidies for small-scale renewable projects
.

The TUC General Secretary, Frances O’Grady said: “Trade unions and businesses want to work together to make Britain a global leader in clean energy and green jobs. But the government is putting this at risk by refusing to honour its commitment to properly fund renewable energy and low carbon technology. If we don’t invest in the industries of the future we will not be able to help the industries of today, like steel, to become cleaner and more profitable."

She concluded: “David Cameron vowed to lead the greenest government ever. So far his record suggests the opposite.”

* The White Rose project  http://www.whiteroseccs.co.uk/about-white-rose

* TUC https://www.tuc.org.uk/

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