Why Do We Need Renewable Energy?

Energy is essential for almost all elements of our daily lifestyles and for the success of our economy. However the UK faces two long-term challenges:

• Tackling climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and
• Ensuring secure, clean and affordable energy supplies as we become increasingly dependent on imported fuel.

In response to changing circumstances in global energy markets and the issues of climate change, the 2007 White Paper sets out the UK Government’s international and domestic energy strategy which includes the following points:

• establish an international framework to tackle climate change;
• reduce emissions progressively, via legally binding carbon targets;
• make further progress towards fully competitive and transparent international markets;
• encourage better energy saving through improved information, incentives and regulation;
• provide more support for low-carbon technologies;
• ensure the right conditions for investment.

Currently the UK is heading towards an unhealthy reliance on overseas energy supplies. Therefore local renewable energy production is essential to power local homes, improve energy security and lessen our dependence on overseas supplies whilst simultaneously reducing carbon dioxide emissions.