2015
After extensive public consultation in 2013 and, finally, the eyes of the Environment Scrutiny Panel, the States of Jersey adopted Pathway 2050: An Energy Plan for Jersey in May 2014. Prior to my new role as Minister for Planning and Environment I served on the Environment Scrutiny Panel where my colleagues and I scrutinised the Energy Plan and heard evidence from key stakeholders, officers and Ministers. The Panel and I were overwhelmingly supportive of its goal of secure, affordable and sustainable energy. We recommended some improvements and modifications to the Plan and we were pleased when the previous Environment Minister adopted these in the final version.
Given my long-standing association with the Energy Plan, I feel confident with my responsibility as the new Environment Minister to put in place this framework to reduce Jersey’s greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing emissions is in line with other advanced jurisdictions and the commitment we made when we became signatories to the Kyoto Protocol in 2005. I am delighted that the Island has now embarked on a journey towards a low-carbon future, aiming to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. This shows that Jersey takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and that we are determined to play our part in addressing global climate change.
The context for global action to reduce emissions remains that of climate change accelerated by human activity and man-
- Year one en route to a low carbon future; an energetic year ahead
by STEVE LUCE, MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT.
made emissions. The most recent evidence was published in November 2014 when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its Synthesis Report. This is the work of thousands of scientists and has been agreed after negotiations with the world's governments.
Their evidence is that atmospheric concentrations of key greenhouse gases are ‘unprecedented in at least the last 800,000 years’ and that warming of the climate system is ‘unequivocal’. They go on to conclude that the human influence on changing the climate is now ‘clear’ and conclude that delaying action will ‘substantially increase the challenges’ to limit global warming below two degrees, relative to pre-industrial levels. Avoiding a two degree rise has previously been accepted as an adequate way to avoid dangerous climate change although many scientists now are concerned that even a rise of 2o
C could have more negative impacts than we first predicted.
However, the positive conclusion from the IPPC is that emissions can be substantially reduced through changes in consumption patterns and the adoption of energy savings measures. I’m pleased that this is the approach outlined in the Energy Plan which sets reduction targets across all the sectors. In particular it addresses reductions in the energy we use in our homes and buildings and our cars which comprise the greatest proportion of Jersey’s emissions. I am particularly interested in the opportunities low emission vehicles offer for Jersey, tackling both greenhouse gas emissions and air quality problems with one solution.
Using energy efficiently not only
minimises emissions but also reduces the cost of energy to consumers, and means we have to import less fuel into Jersey – which helps reduce our risks around energy security. So the benefits of reducing emissions are broader than just the environmental impacts and this is why I am committed to this plan of action; energy efficiency is a ‘no-brainer’!
This year, the Department of the Environment has been working with the Jersey Consumer Council (JCC) in their programme to increase transparency of energy pricing and in October 2014 they dedicated their newsletter to energy and water. Landing on every doorstep on the Island, it provided a wealth of information about the energy we use, how it gets to Jersey, what it costs and why. I would encourage you to have a look at this on the JCC website
www.jerseyconsumercouncil.org.je if you missed it!
The JCC has also added new products to its Fuel Watch website
www.jerseyfuelwatch.com. In addition to checking the best price for home heating oil, car fuel and coal purchases, consumers can now see gas and electricity tariffs too.
Understanding energy prices benefits all consumers and encourages strong competition in the marketplace. Many hundreds of people across Jersey have benefited from the setting up of the Energy Efficiency Service. This small team punches above its weight in providing independent
20/20 - Our Environment
Page 57
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116