A new poll from Friends of Earth reveals that 85 percent of Brits want to see Government increase the use of renewables and reduce its consumption of overseas gas. The YouGov poll, commissioned by the environmental charity, shows that almost nine out of ten people want Government to develop more renewable energy from wind, solar, wave and tidal power.
The charity is using St George’s Day to launch its new Clean British Energy campaign supported by entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden. The campaign is calling on David Cameron to use his first green speech as Prime Minister to shift the energy market away from just six big energy firms.
When respondents to the survey were asked which sources of energy they would most like to see providing more of their electricity in ten years’ time, 64 percent indicated that they want wind, wave, solar or tidal power with just 2 percent backing gas.
Deborah Meaden said: “David Cameron needs to listen to the public and say 'I'm in' to clean British energy, opening up a multibillion pound opportunity for British businesses. Gas, coal and nuclear are the technologies of the past. Our country has the skills and the talent to be world-beaters in the renewable energy technologies of right now. Friends of the Earth's Clean British Energy campaign would switch the UK to home-grown clean power – we can't afford not to.”
Friends of the Earth's Director of Policy and Campaigns Craig Bennett added: “The public has given a clear vote of confidence to clean British energy from our wind, sun and sea – it makes no sense for the Government to pursue an unwanted, costly dash for gas that's causing our fuel bills to rocket.
“Ministers have a once-in-a-generation chance to transform our electricity market to help smaller businesses, schools and communities plug into clean and affordable power.
“David Cameron must back Britain by using his speech to kick-start a switch to clean British energy – it's time to wave goodbye to costly fossil fuels and develop affordable power for the future.”