Government dodges climate change issue

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been accused of 'fudging a big decision' following the appointment of an energy and climate change minister.

Speaking on behalf of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Miles Seaman said: 'We needed a minister solely responsible for climate change.

'There is a fundamental conflict between energy and climate change policy and this new arrangement, while attractive on the surface, won't fix the problem.

'Climate change is the biggest threat facing mankind today and we need a government department whose first priority is to secure deep reductions in carbon emissions.

'If you get the climate change policy right, the energy policy will follow naturally.

'Appointing a minister solely for climate change is bold but can kick start the development of new chemical and process technologies capable of delivering dramatic carbon emission cuts.

'Many energy strategies do not imply carbon dioxide emissions.

'IChemE supports the more rapid pursuit of a global energy policy based on non-fossil fuel sources including nuclear power and renewables including solar and geothermal energy coupled with the development of a hydrogen economy.' Seaman's view contrasts with that of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The CBI described climate change and energy security as 'vital national interests', adding that both required urgent action.

'Combining climate change and energy security may help identify both synergies and trade-offs, but we must avoid either one becoming subordinate to the other,' said Dr Neil Bentley, the CBI director of business environment.

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