UK - Public embrace wind power on day Kyoto comes into force

On the day the Kyoto Protocol came into force the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) launched a new 'Wind Tracker' showing that public support for the expansion of wind energy has reached an all-time high. The tracker, conducted by NOP World, shows that a growing majority of the British public (79%) think that wind farms are necessary to help meet current and future energy needs in the UK – a rise of 5% in just 5 months. The BWEA also releases new data showing that 2005 will be a record-breaking one for the UK wind industry as it powers towards meeting the bulk of the Government's 10% renewables target by 2010 - a key plank in achieving the country’s Kyoto commitments. This year the industry will build 18 new wind power schemes, representing a 66% increase in current generation, or enough extra clean green electricity to meet the needs of a third of a million homes –every household in Manchester, twice.

The Kyoto Protocol calls for a reduction in emissions of 6 greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide from each of the signatory countries. The UK Government has put in place an additional target, recently revised to a 14% cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010 as compared to 1990 levels. About one third of all CO2 emitted in the UK comes from fossil fuelled power generation: electricity from wind power and other renewables will therefore be essential for this country to meet its targets on taking action with regard to climate change. The ‘Wind Tracker’, conducted by NOP World, shows a rise of 5% since August 2004 when the figure was already an impressive 74%. Numerous high profile champions, including Chris Tarrant, have added their names to the thousands of others who have embraced wind at www.embracewind.com.

The latest champion to publicly back wind power is ITN’s weather expert Sian Lloyd: “Recent dramatic weather events such as the floods in Carlisle and Boscastle are a stark reminder that nature can only take so much. Climate change is a reality and we must act now if we are to stop the damage we are doing to our fragile planet. Wind is the best of the new renewable energy sources available right now. I for one am backing wind energy and I know I'm not alone.”

BWEA spokesperson Alison Hill said: “The coming into force of Kyoto is a truly historic moment as it sets us on a path to achieving the widespread use of carbon free energy. Wind and other renewable power sources will be at the heart of our nation's move away from fossil fuels as we begin to take action on climate change. The fact that public support for wind is increasing is great news. With an election around the corner this sends a strong message to our politicians that backing renewables is not only the right economic and environmental thing to do, it also makes good political sense.”