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An alliance of UK non-profit groups have called on the three major political parties to set out how they plan to phase out unabated coal-fired generation in their election manifestos.
The UK is expected to shift away from coal-fired power in the early 2020s in order to decarbonise the power sector, but the alliance warns that unless policy makers agree “on a clear deadline and concrete measures” the UK’s climate targets could be derailed.
The letter was sent to the Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat parties, signed by groups including Greenpeace, Oxfam, and the Women’s Institute.
In its pre-election manifesto the Lib Dem party has outlined five ‘green laws’ including a ban on unabated coal-fired power by 2025. The Labour party has also pledged to remove coal generation which does not use carbon capture technology by the early 2020s. But neither party has explained how they intend to enforce the pledges.
Meanwhile the Conservative party has yet to set out a formal pledge on reducing coal but said in the national press that it will ‘likely’ be removed from the generation mix in 10-15 years’ time as a result of European emissions legislation.
“Our political leaders should not be under the illusion that coal pollution will simply go away by itself, because research shows this won’t be the case. With new subsidies for coal plants and a freeze on the carbon emission tax, ministers have thrown old coal a lifeline,” Greenpeace UK energy campaigner Lawrence Carter.
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