30 November 2015
Jersey’s progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions is highlighted this week as climate change talks start in Paris.
France is hosting the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from 30 November to 11 December 2015. An expected outcome of the conference is a new legally binding international agreement on climate change, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C. Under current global emissions trends, average global temperatures could rise between 3.7°C and 4.8°C by 2100.
Jersey recognises its international environmental obligations. By becoming a signatory (through the UK) to the Kyoto Protocol in 2005, the Island has committed to take a challenging and pro-active approach to reducing its carbon emissions. The UK and the EU have adopted a Kyoto target of an 80 per cent reduction in emissions from 1990 to 2050.
Pathway 2050: An Energy Plan for Jersey was approved by the States last year. It outlines the challenges in reducing energy use by 2050 and sets out policies and actions to work towards the Kyoto target by using secure, affordable and sustainable energy.
The Department of the Environment, working with other States departments, the private sector and other community organisations, has made progress in the following areas of the energy plan:
- planned introduction of notably higher energy efficiency standards for new homes through building bye-laws to significantly improve energy targets for new buildings
- a planned programme of improvement in the energy efficiency standards in social housing
- improved energy efficiency through behaviour change programme such as the ‘Turn it off’ energy campaign
- energy efficiency improvements in the public sector through the continued roll-out of the eco active States programme and eco schools initiative
- support for the private sector through the eco active business scheme which helps businesses and organisations to improve their energy efficiency and resource use through a supported accreditation programme
- encouraging the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles through subsidised parking and charging points in all car parks
- reduced rates of vehicle emissions duty
- preparing the way for utility-scale renewable energy by securing the sea bed in the Island’s ownership and maintaining dialogue with other Channel Islands and European partners.
Download Pathway 2050: An Energy Plan for Jersey (652kb)
gov.je