Liberal Democrat MEP and ELDR President Sir Graham Watson, who is Chairman of a global network of MPs and MEPs from all mainstream political parties working to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy called the Climate Parliament has today said that the switch to green energy has now become just as much an energy security issue as an environmental imperative.

Commenting on the ongoing crisis where Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Germany have experienced reductions of up to 30% in Russian gas supplies from Gazprom over the last few days, Sir Graham said:

“The freezing conditions across Europe highlight yet again the dangers of being so overly-reliant on Russia for a quarter of our gas. Gazprom has – understandably – diverted its supplies to keep Russian homes warm, leaving many European countries short and prices on the rise.”

“And we just don’t know what Gazprom will do next.”

“But the wind is blowing harder than ever in the Scottish Hebrides and it is 15 C and sunny in southern Spain and Greece. If, instead of building gas pipelines, we were building electricity transmission infrastructure and switching from fossil fuels to wind and solar power, this week’s energy outlook would be a different story. European renewables are the answer to our energy security.”

“Indeed, the sun is also shining bright as ever in the Sahara. Importing electricity from North Africa would in fact be more secure than Russian gas, due to the larger number of potential trading partners and the fact that electricity cannot be switched off like gas. Electricity is the ultimate ‘just in time’ product: that which is not transmitted today is lost forever

New Energy Secretary Ed Davey said recently while visitting Watford that British companies are “leading the world” in creating green jobs and improving energy efficiency, and Mr Davey also marked his first full day in the job by announcing the 155 community projects that have succeeded with bids for a £5.1 million pot from the Local Energy Assessment Fund.

Speaking on his first ministerial visit since replacing Chris Huhne in the role, Mr Davey said he has been a “lifelong supporter” of renewable energy.

Liberal Democrat MP Mr Davey, who was accompanied to the Building Research Establishment (BRE) testing facility for green homes near Watford by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, said:

“I’ve been a lifelong supporter of the green agenda, I campaigned at university and afterwards on things like energy efficiency, and I’m here today at the excellent BRE seeing what British companies are doing leading the world, creating green jobs.

“I’ve also been a lifelong supporter of renewables and so I’m delighted to see that the UK again is leading in that technology.”

Mr Davey, who has recently been promoted from his former position as a business minister following the resignation of Chris Huhne to defend himself against charges of perverting the course of justice, added that the UK must continue to play a leading role in exporting green technologies.

He added:

“We’ve got to compete in the world and actually here’s an industry, here’s a technology – a group of technologies – where we’re leading the world, and this institute here is playing a critical role in that.”

Mr Davey and Mr Clegg went on a tour of some of the prototype buildings at the site where some of the latest energy- efficient technology is developed, and after being shown examples of sustainable homes, including one that has zero carbon emissions, the pair spoke to young people taking part in the company’s graduate scheme.

Newly-appointed Liberal Democrat Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey will hit the ground running today, joining Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in sending a clear signal that green growth and green jobs will remain at the heart of the Coalition’s strategy for economic recovery.

Visiting the Building Research Establishment’s Innovation Park near Watford, a testing site for green homes, they will meet graduates considering moving into green construction jobs.

The Deputy Prime Minister will say:

“The race is on to lead the world in clean, green energy. Last year we saw record-breaking global investment in renewables – outstripping the cash piled into fossil fuels. The new economic powerhouses – China, India, Korea, Brazil – are now serious contenders for that capital.

“So the choice for the UK is simple: wake up, or end up playing catch up. In today’s world the savviest states understand that going for growth means going green. Low-carbon markets are the next frontier in the battle for global pre-eminence.

“We have every reason to be confident. The combination of enviable wind, wave and tidal power, a world-beating research base and a proud history of engineering give the UK a clear competitive edge. So we’re already in pole position. But the reality is: we need to sharpen our elbows if we want to stay ahead.

“I want the UK to be the number one destination for green investment. We’re in this race to win it.”

Mr Davey, who was appointed to the Cabinet by the Prime Minister on Friday, is a trained economist and an environmental campaigner since university. He will say today:

“I have long believed in the need to marry our economic and environmental agendas. Greening the economy isn’t just good for the planet – it’s good for the wallets, purses and pockets of every British citizen too.

“By focusing on the low carbon industries of the future we can rebalance our economy, reducing our dependence on the City of London on the one hand, and on oil and gas imports from unstable parts of the world on the other.

“My priorities are very simple: green jobs, green growth and getting the best deal for energy bill payers. My department is already implementing bold and ambitious reforms – like electricity market reform and the Green Deal – to unlock private investment, drive innovation and build a resilient, green, competitive economy. It’s now my job to see those through.

“There may have been a change at the helm, but there’ll be no change in direction or ambition.”

Liberal Democrat MP Julian Huppert called on the government to take more action to protect the environment as new legislation governing the aviation industry makes its way through Parliament.

Julian, Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Transport Committee said that he wanted to see more consideration given to environmental issues in the Civil Aviation Bill which received its Second Reading in the House of Commons yesterday (Monday, January 30).

“The real costs of airplane emissions are often hidden and the government has a duty to make them known as a first step towards making sure that something can be done to reduce them,” he said during the debate.”

Julian added that although the Bill gives new powers to publish information on the environmental impact of aviation there is no duty on the Civil Aviation Authority to act on that information.

“Aviation accounts for a significant and growing proportion of our carbon emissions and it also has a significant noise impact, which we must take into account,” he said. “The body that regulates aviation must have regard to these facts and bear some responsibility.”

He asked Transport Minister, Norman Baker:

“Will he consider more carefully whether it would be a good idea to put environmental duty in the Bill so that as many steps as possible can be taken to protect the environment?”

Mr Baker said that Ministers would have an “open mind” if he could demonstrate that the Bill did not have the power to take action that was needed.

Julian welcomed moves through the Bill to make air travel more passenger focused and extend the scope of ATOL to give travellers more protection.

He told Parliament that, for too long transport policy had been based on the “top-down, central control of large systems” rather than passenger-focused and “viewed from the bottom up”.

“We in the Liberal Democrats particularly welcome the Government’s aspiration to put passengers at the heart of airport operations and the sections of the Bill that help to accomplish that”

He also welcomed moves to extend the scope of ATOL, the organisation which protects consumers’ rights, to give passengers the assurances they deserve.

“It is clearly absurd that only a small proportion of holidays are covered currently and that many consumers are simply unaware whether they are protected or not,” he added.

And he said: “I hope that in committee we can ensure that the Bill properly delivers the government’s aims and creates a sustainable future for civil aviation in the country based on open data, proper regulation, sustainable transport and passenger-led reforms.”

Later Julian said:

“The aviation industry is developing fast and this Bill gives us the opportunity to put in place the necessary legislation to make sure that we can offer passengers the best safeguards while at the same time doing everything we can to protect our environment.

“Air travel is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions and if we don’t get this Bill right and make environmental considerations a key part of this legislation we could cause untold damage.”

An ambitious five year plan has been made to work towards making Kingston Gardens more community and wildlife friendly, and to work towards securing Green Flag status for the area.

The friends of Kingston Gardens (which has been reformed as Kingston Gardens Neighbourhood Watch Group Ltd) have formed a partnership with with N E Lincs Council, local environmental group Green Futures and have been supported by local regeneration and business advisors CERT.

Work will begin shortly to remove some of the undergrowth, improve the footpaths, and to fill the gaps in the boundary hedge.

If you are interested in helping to improve Kingston Gardens, or to find out more please telephone the Chair of the group, Alec Leonard, on 01472 357922 or come to their next meeting at Yarborough Community Centre at 7.15 pm on February 15th

The group is also looking for a suitably qualified football coach for the popular Friday evening football training sessions at Kingston Gardens. Anyone interested should contact Alec Leonard (01472 357922) or Les Bonner (01472 310855) for more information.

The next meeting of the North East Lincolnshire Cycle Forum takes place on February 2,at Grimsby Town Hall at 5.30pm.

Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend.

Euro-MPs in Strasbourg will vote today to tighten EU rules tackling the growing mountain of hazardous electronic waste.

TVs, mobile phones, computers and other electrical equipment are the UK’s fastest growing waste stream, with more than one million tonnes generated annually. Despite already existing EU laws, only about one third of e-waste is currently disposed of in an accountable and sustainable way. The rest is either dumped in landfills or shipped – often illegally- to non-EU countries.

UK Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies, who negotiated the original EU legislation on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), said:

“MEPs fought hard to set a higher target for the recovery, recycling and re-use of e-waste. When treated properly our old electrical equipment needs not be rubbish but a valuable raw material.

“The new rules will make clearer what used items can be legally exported. This will help to curb the criminals who ship electronic gadgets overseas where it is dismantled by children and the poor often in hazardous and toxic conditions.

“Our waste must not become anther person’s poison.”

According to the Environmental Investigation Agency, the UK has a persistent problem with e-waste trafficking with up to half of all discarded computers in the UK entering the illegal trade streams.

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has pressed the Government to take more action in fighting and preventing littering along roadsides. Annette raised the issue during Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Oral Questions in the House of Commons this morning.

Annette first praised those in her constituency that voluntarily pick up litter, citing Canford Heath Community Litter Pickers. She then asked Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what more will she would do to empower local councils to take effective action against people in vehicles who are responsible for roadside littering. The question raised audible approval from across the house.

In response Mrs Spelman accepted that the problem was a serious one and cited a number of potential actions. She accepted the need for a broad approach to the issue and said that, “we have to start in schools by educating children and taking them with us on litter picks, because it then dawns on them what a nuisance this is.”

She also highlighted a private members bill currently going through Parliament which would make littering from vehicles a civil offence. If implemented at a trial stage, Mrs Spelman said:

“we should look at the efficacy of that measure to see what wider lessons we can learn.”

Mrs Spelman was also keen to point out the actions the Government has already been taking. She reaffirmed support for the Keep Britain Tidy’s “Love Where You Live” campaign. She also said, “we are cracking down on fly-tippers by introducing powers to seize the vehicles of suspected offenders and are working with the court authorities on increased sentencing.”

After leaving the chamber Annette said:

“This is an issue of real concern to my constituents and for communities across the country. The selfishness of motorists who blight our landscape in this way is a cause of great anger. I welcome the Secretary of State’s comments, although when dealing with roadside littering, we must always keep safety as the number one priority. I am glad the Government is onboard in tackling this and I look forward to a proactive approach.”

Van buyers will be able to receive 20% – up to £8000 – off the cost of a plug-in van, Transport Minister Norman Baker and Business Minister Mark Prisk announced yesterday.

This is an extension of the Plug-In Car Grant which offers 25% – up to £5000 – to motorists buying a new plug-in car. Ministers have also re-confirmed there is funding secured for this grant until 2015.

The purpose of the consumer grant is to enable the purchase of ultra-low carbon vehicles which could otherwise have been unaffordable. The consumer will also benefit from lower running costs over the lifetime of the vehicle.

Liberal Democrat Transport Minister Norman Baker said:

“Electric vehicles are the arrowhead for a low carbon revolution in motoring and as more models come to market we’ll begin to see sales gather pace.

“Car buyers have had a year to take advantage of our grant and now it’s time for van buyers to get their chance to go electric. This is great news for businesses given the lower running costs of these vehicles – fleet buyers tell us that this is one of the most important factor influencing their decision on what to buy.

“It is radical initiatives like these which will allow us to create a transport system that both cuts carbon and is an engine for economic growth.”

From today ultra-low carbon van manufacturers will be able to apply to be part of the Plug-In Van Grant – which will help to improve local air quality in cities, reduce carbon emissions and meet Government carbon reduction targets.

To be eligible for the scheme, vans will have to meet performance criteria to ensure safety, range, and ultra-low tailpipe emissions. Consumers, both business and private will receive the discount at the point of purchase.

There are currently 10 cars eligible for the Plug-In Car Grant – 5 of which came onto the market in 2011, with the other half expected to be available to purchase this year. During the first year of the scheme, over 1000 eligible vehicles were registered and, up to 31 December 2011, 892 applications were made for the Plug-In Car Grant.

Following E.ON’s announcement that they were to cut energy prices, the Energy Secretary and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said today:

“We have now seen seven suppliers announce energy price cuts, which is really good news for hard-pressed households struggling with energy bills. We saw big energy price increases last year when suppliers passed on the rising international cost of gas to consumers, and it is right that consumers should also benefit when those international prices fall.

“This is particularly timely news as it coincides with Big Energy Week, a nationwide drive led by Citizens Advice to make sure consumers have the information and advice they need to help keep their gas and electricity bills down, including how to switch to cheaper deals and take advantage of home insulation offers. My message to consumers is this: make the companies work for your money. Shop around, and if you find a better deal, switch.

“I also want to see simpler tariffs and greater competition in the market to help consumers find the best deals, and that is what we are working with the independent regulator Ofgem to achieve.”