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media release everyone - Scotland's environment groups campaigning together (500,000 supporters, 26 organisations, ONE voice) Orkney tidal energy funding announcement welcomed Groups call doubling in funding for "all
types of renewables" Thursday 3 March 2005
Environmentalists today (Thursday 3 March) welcomed news that more than £2 million has been awarded to the development of tidal power in Orkney. [1]
Speaking on behalf of a coalition of 26 Scottish environment groups campaigning for action to tackle climate change President of Scottish Environment LINK, Fred Edwards, said:
"Today's funding announcement for this tidal project is most welcome. To reduce our climate change emissions it is imperative that we must invest in all forms of renewable energy. The Government needs to double its research and development investment to bring on the other types of renewables, like those announced today, much more quickly.
"During the run up to the general election we will
be watching to see which
parties are prepared to rise to the climate challenge. We need to hear
which
parties are prepared to deliver year-on-year cuts in climate pollution
and
step up in investment in all forms of renewables."
ON THE CAMPAIGN:
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] The Department of Trade and Industry will today
(Thursday) announce the
awarding of a £2.25 million grant to Yorkshire firm Lunar Energy
to help
develop its Rotech Tidal Turbine technology on Orkney.
[2] The everyone campaign is an initiative from Scottish Environment LINK, the umbrella body for Scotland's environmental organisations. Campaigning together as the everyone coalition, the groups plan to mobilise their collective half a million supporters to challenge politicians to step up action to cut global climate change. Using the slogan 'cut climate change, turn the heat up on your MP' the groups last week unveiled a series of election demands they wish politicians to take action on.
One of the specific
demands relates to funding for renewables. Namely:"Double research
and development investment in the full range of renewable
The everyonecampaign is demanding that politicians come forward with policies that will deliver year-on-year progress toward a cut of at least 20 per cent in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010, and put us on a path to a 60 per cent cut by 2050.
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