DECC at the Hay Festival
Edward Davey explains how moving to a low carbon economy is compatible with growth.
Secretary of State, Edward Davey set out how moving to a low carbon economy is compatible with growth at the first of 3 ‘future of energy’ debates at this year’s Hay Festival. Also on the panel were E.ON Chief Executive Tony Cocker and Jane Davidson, Director of Inspire.
Davey identified energy efficiency as a key benefit to the economy, saying:
The great thing about energy efficiency is that it unambiguously good for growth and good for tackling fuel poverty. So energy efficiency is right at the heart of what our policies are trying to deliver.’
He identified the Green Deal as a key part of the move to greater efficiency, saying:
This coming week sees the next stage of the Green Deal, which is going to be the most ambitious set of policies to help people to be able to make their homes more energy efficient. It basically involves people not having to pay the upfront costs and instead pay for the investment as they save on their fuel bills. It is a radical move that is open to all households.
The other 2 debates in the future of energy series will discuss how we decarbonise by 2050 and whether this requires technological breakthrough or lifestyle change. Representing DECC will be Chief Scientific advisor David MacKay and Director of Strategy, Ravi Gurumurthy.