THE Association for the Conservation of Energy has drawn my attention to the recently released 2004/5 figures from Defra which show how much progress each local authority has made since 1996 to achieve its overall target over 15 years of reducing by 30% domestic energy consumption. Unfortunately, at this moment, only a third of all local authorities in Britain are on track towards this target, having achieved at least an 18% reduction in their energy consumption. Within the South West only 14, or about one third of local authorities, are on track to meet the target. The exceptions, which are deserving of our praise, are Poole (32.5%) and Kennet (30.6%), who share honours with only four other local authorities in the whole of Britain of having already achieved the 30% target for a reduction in domestic energy consumption. Given that domestic housing is responsible for one third of all greenhouse gas emissions, it is clear that each of us should take responsibility for introducing practical measures to save and conserve energy in our homes. Local authorities must set an example by leading the way and I propose to contact them, after the recess, to learn how they will work to achieve the 30% reduction in the domestic energy consumption target. If we are really serious about combating the effects of climate change then we must work together to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and our reliance on fossil fuels. Giles Chichester Conservative MEP for the South West of England and Gibraltar Chairman, Energy Committee of the European Parliament
