Activist at Kingsnorth coal power station

Image by Greenpeace

The independent committee on climate change has launched its report of recommendations for the government relating to building a low carbon economy. The World Development Movement welcomes the report and hopes that it means that finally 'time for confusion and contradiction on coal is over; it's time to say no to Kingsnorth.'

Benedict Southworth, director at the World Development Movement said in response to the committee's recommendations:

On coal and CCS

"The message from the committee is crystal clear – the government must not allow any new coal fire power stations to be built without a guarantee that carbon capture technology will be working and fitted in the early 2020s.  This means that building new coal power stations, hoping that energy companies will agree to fit carbon capture technology later, is a waste of time, energy and money. The time for confusion and contradiction on coal is over; it's time to say no to Kingsnorth."

On carbon trading to meet UK reduction targets

"It is absolutely crucial that we don't pay poor countries to reduce their emissions and claim that even though emissions in the UK are rising, we are meeting our emissions reduction targets. It's very good news that the committee have seen this loophole in the Climate Change Act and are advising the government to close it."

On Ed Miliband

"Ed Miliband's department must of course take time to carefully consider the committee's weighty report. But the secretary of state must prove that UK is serious about tackling climate change head on and will be a leader at the international climate negotiations at Poznan. The first thing he should do without delay is to announce that a new coal power station at Kingsnorth cannot go ahead without full carbon capture technology and that the government's cosy relationship with E.ON stops here."