As part of his cabinet reshuffle, Gordon Brown has named Jane Kennedy, former financial secretary to the Treasury, as the new minister for waste. Brown has also created a new body to tackle the twin challenges of energy security and global warming: the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Ed Milliband (brother of David), who has been given the position of Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, said: “The new department reflects the fact that energy policy and climate change are directly linked. We will do all we can to ensure affordable fuel bills for people, put Britain at the forefront of creating green jobs and play our part in ensuring every country meets the climate change challenge.”
Green lobby groups have welcomed the move. Stephen Hale, Director of Green Alliance, commented: “Hallelujah. A department of energy and climate change. Not before time. Ed Miliband’s in-tray is piled high with issues that the old structure did not resolve. The new department puts climate change where it belongs, with its own seat at the cabinet table.”
A Greenpeace activist, meanwhile, said: “This is, potentially, fantastic stuff. Until now, one department has been dealing with climate change and another – the department for business (BERR) – with energy. This entirely nonsensical division hamstrung any chances of a coherent, low carbon energy policy and kept business and environmental interests at perpetual loggerheads.”
Milliband’s decision to increase the UK’s target for cutting emissions to 80 per cent, from 60 per cent, by 2050 has been welcomed.
Greenpeace is reserving its judgment to an extent, though, as “a lot remains to be seen”. Milliband must decide whether or not to halt plans on the construction of the UK’s first coal-fired power plant in 30 years at Kingsnorth in Kent. Earlier this year, six Greenpeace activists, who caused £30,000 of damage to the existing smokestack, were found not guilty of criminal damage. According to their defense, they had a “lawful excuse” for their actions as they were trying to safeguard property “in immediate need of protection” from climate change.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.