UK facing green goal shortfall

The UK is falling behind on progress towards 2020 renewables targets, according to a leaked European Commission study reported by Reuters.

Britain is currently not on track to meet its overall target for renewable heat, transport and power due to significant policy changes over the last two years, the Renewable Energy Association (REA) added.

The country is expected to provide 30% of electricity, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources by 2020.

It is on track for the power target but failing in the heat and transport sectors, the REA said.

The report, which is set to be published on Wednesday, also shows Ireland and Luxembourg falling behind on their targets, according to Reuters.

“This is a wake-up call to our government, which for the past two years has introduced policy changes that have slowed deployment of renewables in the heat, transport and power sectors,” REA chief executive Nina Skorupska said.

“Our progress towards these targets to date has helped create a multi-billion pound industry that in 2014 to 2015 employed nearly 117,000 in the UK.

“While it appears that the UK is on track to meet our power targets, we are seriously falling behind in the heat and transport sectors.”

Skorupska added: “The government should take immediate steps to remove the roadblocks to further renewable energy deployment.”

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