EU COMMITMENT TO CARBON CUTS WILL BOOST REGIONAL INDUSTRY

12.00.00am GMT Thu 21st Jan 2010

North East Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall has called for an immediate EU commitment to a 30% cut in greenhouse gas emissions, arguing that it will protect the growth of new green jobs in the region.

In 2007, EU leaders committed to reducing emissions by 20% by 2020, increasing to 30% in the event of a global agreement in Copenhagen. No agreement was reached but Fiona argues that a 30% cut is still necessary.

Speaking in the European Parliament, she said:

"To rein back now would be to lose the momentum which has been built up in the new green industries.

"We cannot half-commit to investment in renewable energy sources and low carbon transport. There is massive infrastructure which needs to be put in place, whether it is a North Sea supergrid or plug-in charging points for electric cars.

"Hundreds and thousands of new jobs are at stake - potentially 70,000 jobs relating to offshore wind in the UK alone.

"But these jobs, so necessary for economic recovery, will only be realised if there is a clear road map towards a zero carbon Europe by 2050."

Fiona warned that both the US and China were growing their renewables industries very rapidly and that any loss of momentum meant potential North East jobs in wind turbine and tower manufacturing, for example, might move to other continents.

"Investment has to have certainty. We should go to 30% now."

Conservative MEPs, including North East MEP Martin Callanan, took a sharply different view from the Lib Dems, claiming there was "no climate crisis" and no need to commit to a 30% emissions reduction.

Fiona said: "This is deeply worrying. Without certainty, offshore wind jobs may not materialise and established companies such as Nissan may hesitate about investing further." Nissan are currently undecided about where to base production of electric cars.

Fiona added: "There is a clear dividing line. Liberal Democrats want the ambitious 30% cut in carbon emissions and the Tories oppose it.

"David Cameron claims to be in favour of action against climate change, but his own MEPs clearly are not."