UK accused of hypocrisy over European renewable energy targets

The UK has been accused of hypocrisy for its efforts to have aviation removed from European renewable energy targets while calling for tougher international measures on climate change.

By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent Last Updated: 7:23PM GMT 02 Dec 2008

The EU is due to decide on a new energy directive on Wednesday to produce 20 per cent of power, including fuel and electricity, from renewables by 2020.
At the same time more than 190 countries have gathered for a UN Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland to decide an international deal on climate change.
Ed Miliband, the energy and climate change minister, said it was incredibly important that the EU come to an agreement in order to set an example to the rest of world.
"We need the European deal, both because it's right and it's the only route to the global deal we need. That's my position and that's what Britain will argue for," he said.
However environment groups are angry that the minister is arguing for a deal while behind the scenes the UK is pushing to have aviation removed from the EU 2020 target.
A spokesman from the Department of Energy and Climate Change confirmed that the UK is arguing for aviation to be excluded because biofuels have not been developed for aeroplanes.
But Robin Webster, Friends of the Earth energy campaigner, said the target, including aviation, was possible for the UK if other sectors boost renewables.
She added: "It is hypocritical to argue for aviation to be excluded at the same time as arguing we need a deal to lead the way on climate change. It is a challenging target for the UK but we can do it. "
The Government also faced pressure from business groups for failing to move fast enough on climate change.
The CBI said the long term commitment to cut greenhouse emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 must be matched with short-term action including consulting on how sites for nuclear sites should be selected, approval for more than 300 on and offshore wind farms, and more support for clean coal, electric cars and energy efficient buildings.