The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
1240/5(3338)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHIEF MINISTER BY DEPUTY G.C.L. BAUDAINS OF ST. CLEMENT
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 5th JUNE 2007
Question
Although Jersey recently adopted the Kyoto Convention on climate change, the Chief Minister has indicated that he will not apply it to air travel. Would he advise how the goal of economic growth and the proposed new energy from waste plant will affect our ability to comply with the terms of the Convention and will he also give details of what work, if any, has been undertaken to assess what effect these, and other projects will have on our ability to comply?
Answer
Jersey is proud to have signed up to the Kyoto Protocol which has set a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 5% below 1990 levels. Whilst under Kyoto Jersey does not have specific targets, we have performed very well to date, cutting local greenhouse gases by 36% as a result of switching to imported electricity.
Nevertheless the States are committed within the Strategic Plan, to demonstrate internationally that we adhere to the highest environmental standards. Therefore, we do not intend to rest on our laurels and the Council of Ministers will soon be bringing forward an energy policy which tackles energy related carbon emissions with the intent of continuing the reducing trend.
Emissions arising from air travel are not currently included in Kyoto accounting at the National level since without collective action little can be achieved – for example, if Jersey were to tackle aviation emission unilaterally by, say, a carbon tax on fuel, airlines would simply refuel elsewhere. Therefore it is accepted that the most effective way to tackle the emissions from aviation is by collective action and the proposed mechanism for co-ordinated action is the European Union Aviations emission trading scheme. Jersey continues to work with the UK as this process is consulted upon.
Turning now to the proposed new energy from waste plant:- a new plant that is compliant with the most stringent standards will materially improve local and transboundary air quality. It will have a little impact on our carbon emissions but a more modern plant of whatever technology will be more thermally efficient than the existing incinerator and so will recover more energy from waste for use locally.
The effect of net economic growth does not need to be increased energy use and as a consequence an increase in our carbon emissions. Instead we intend to bring forward polices for debate that will encourage wise resource use. These include demand management measures, focussing on low-carbon footprint industries and the increased thermal performance of new buildings. It is worth mentioning that research elsewhere has shown that the adoption of low and no-cost energy efficiency measures by households and business can achieve significant savings within the local economy so assisting our objectives of economic growth.
It is my opinion that Kyoto will be almost entirely beneficial, both domestically and for our international standing. It shows our commitment to tackling global climate change, supporting the UK government in seeking wide international commitment to the Protocol, and making progress towards the States strategic objectives on the environment.
Additional information:
The Kyoto protocol is an international agreement setting targets for industrialised countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions, which are considered at least partly responsible for global warming, to 5% below 1990
levels by 2008 - 2012.
Jersey has recently contributed to the consultation on the proposed European Union Aviations emission trading scheme. Nearly all flights to and from Jersey arise from airlines that are registered outside of the Island in Europe. These airlines will be regulated under such a scheme.
Although air travel may be affected as a result of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aviation, this is likely to be a consequence of measures taken by other European countries, not Jersey.
Energy Policy is currently under review by the Political Steering Group (Senator P.F.C. Ozouf , Senator F.E. Cohen and Senator S. Syvret) and is due to be presented to the Council of Ministers in the third quarter of 2007.
The policy proposes energy reduction targets in the domestic, industry and commercial sectors through demand management and energy efficient practices. These are not expected to curb economic growth. Indeed, growth is expected in the compliance industry (for instance the building industry – insulation, renewables sector etc).