16 energy and climate change questions that need answering during this election campaign

16 energy and climate change questions that need answering during this election campaign

Green businesses and campaigners deserve some straight answers to some straight questions

By James Murray in “businessGreen”

After the disappointment of yesterday's BBC Daily Politics election debate on energy and climate change, which prompted RTCC's Ed King to today observe that "voters - and future generations at risk from climate change - deserve better", numerous questions remain unanswered.

Here are 16 of them. I've no doubt missed a few important ones and you'll have your own pressing questions that you would like answered. I also have numerous questions I'd love to ask UKIP's Roger Helmer and the Greens' Andrew Cooper, but those are for another day.

These are the questions I wish Andrew Neil had asked those on the panel most likely to have a crucial energy and climate role in the next government:

To Matt Hancock:

1. You won't support a 2030 power decarbonisation target - where do you think lower cost emissions cuts will come from>

2. If you want decarbonisation at lowest cost, why are you ruling out more onshore wind farms?

3. If 'onshore windfarms often fail to win public support' as your manifesto claims why do polls show circa 70 per cent support?

4. If onshore wind farms are unable by themselves to provide the 'firm capacity' the grid needs, why are you supporting offshore wind farms?

5. If you think Labour's decarbonisation target will add £96 to bills, how much will your emissions reduction plan add to bills?

6. Would you dilute action on climate change to secure UKIP support for a minority Conservative government?

To Caroline Flint:

7. Is runway expansion compatible with UK climate goals?

8. Do you accept Tory warnings a decarbonisation target will push up energy bills?

9. Would you sign up to more ambitious UK carbon targets to secure SNP support for a minority Labour government?

To Ed Davey:

10. Is a strong 5th carbon budget and decarbonisation target a non-negotiable in any future coalition involving the Lib Dems?

11. Is continued support for onshore wind a non-negotiable in any future coalition involving the Lib Dems?

To Hancock, Flint and Davey:

12. What is your stance on the carbon bubble hypothesis? Do you agree we have to keep it in the ground?

13. What is your stance on Arctic drilling?

14. What will happen to the Levy Control Framework and CfD clean energy support system post 2020?

15. Where do you stand on the fifth carbon budget?

16. How will promised spending cuts impact DECC and Defra?

I'd argue the three main parties should be able and willing to answer all of these questions before, rather than after, the election. Judging by the confusing mess that was the debate on energy and climate policy I remain doubtful these straightforward questions will be answered any time soon.