On the eve of the London meeting of energy ministers from around the world, Sarah Butler-Sloss, Founder Director of Ashden, called on the government to stick up for small and medium-sized clean energy entrepreneurs in the UK.
Said Butler-Sloss:
“The government is in the last chance saloon for restoring its reputation as being the ‘greenest government ever’. Far too many policy wobbles, including muddles over solar feed-in tariffs, lack of cross-department support for the Green Deal, and the delayed domestic Renewable Heat Incentive have destabilised confidence within an industry that has so much potential to grow.”
This year’s UK finalists include a range of clean energy entrepreneurs including London-based home energy efficiency experts Parity Projects, Cumbria’s Energy4All, which supports co-operatives to invest in renewable energy and the micro-hydro developer Ellergreen, based in the Lake District.
Said Butler-Sloss:
“Our finalists are creating jobs, building skills and cutting fuel bills during these tough economic times. They clearly demonstrate the huge potential for a thriving low-carbon economy in the future.
“The government must act now to provide the right incentives and a reliable investment climate for these and other clean energy businesses across the country if it is to make any real progress towards meeting its own renewable energy targets.
“It’s time to stick up for clean energy, stick up for low carbon jobs and stick up for reliable and affordable energy supplies.”
The Clean Energy Ministerial meeting, to be held on 25-27 April in London, was set up in the wake of the 2009 Copenhagen Summit to promote policies and programmes that advance clean energy technology, share lessons learned and best practice, and to encourage the transition to a global clean energy economy.
The other UK-based finalists for the Ashden Awards include National Trust and the University Hospital of South Manchester, Perdiswell Primary School, Selwood Academy and Student Switch Off. Winners for UK, international and sustainable travel awards will be announced at a prestigious ceremony on 30 May.
Media enquiries
Ashden PR and Digital Media Manager Julia Hawkins, 0207 630 2903 Julia.hawkins@ashden.org
