RENEWABLE HEAT OBLIGATION

Early day motion 176, tabled 24 November 2004 by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 237 members.

That this House believes that the Government's targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions require a step-change in the take-up of renewable energy; notes that while Government policies promote renewable electricity generation, little is done to promote the renewable generation of heat through technologies such as biomass, including biogas, solar heating and ground source heat pumps; further notes that energy used for heat is responsible for a third of our carbon emissions, that renewable heat technologies could cut these emissions, help tackle fuel poverty in remote areas of the country, increase fuel security, and provide new markets for the farming and forestry industry; and calls on the Government to extend the renewables obligation to support renewable heat, as recommended by the Royal Commission on Environment Pollution.

Signatures by party: Labour 123, Liberal Democrat 52, Conservative 32, Labour/Co-operative 13, Scottish National Party 5, DUP 4, Plaid Cymru 4, Independent 2, UUP 1.