The Green Energy Conundrum

The move to a form of energy production that reduces the impact of carbon emissions into the environment has been gaining momentum. This is particularly as a result of the Government's recent Energy White Paper and its commitment to various energy targets. New means of providing energy and power are now being sought. 

Two areas where this change has been highlighted are the introduction of bio fuels and the increased use of renewable energy. These two "green" sources of energy highlight a dilemma that is becoming increasingly evident in the development of alternative means of energy : that of the conflict between different areas of environmental protection.

Bio fuels have recently been introduced into our petrol tanks with a 2.5% bio fuel content in petrol (to rise to 5% by 2010). The Government states that this will save millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide. If this proves to be true then this would obviously be of benefit in slowing  climate change.

Ignoring arguments as to the validity of the Government's claims, there are potential adverse effects on the environment that could arise from the use of bio fuels. The new market will encourage the production of crops for bio fuels on a global basis, with farmers throughout the world looking to make the most of the new market. However, this drive may accelerate the further destruction of forests and other previously uncultivated land. This would reduce the natural uptake of carbon dioxide and accelerate the demise of rare species in these areas. The growth of bio fuel crops may also limit the amount of land available for food production, which will ultimately result in higher food prices.

The Government has stated that only sustainable crops will be used for the UK's bio fuel needs but, if bio fuel is being produced elsewhere at a cheaper price, there is always going to be pressure to use the cheaper option.

Renewable energy is perhaps more directly relevant to Devon, as the natural resources that the County possesses are also ideal for energy production. Putting aside the aesthetic arguments involved, there is a conflict between the need to use clean energy and the need to protect our local biodiversity.

A couple of examples of this tension can be seen in projects elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

The proposed Severn Barrage will produce a sizeable amount of green energy using a natural power source. However its construction and subsequent use will have a detrimental effect on a Special Area of Conservation which is home to 85,000 migrating and wintering birds. The Barrage would result in this protected area being changed forever.

In Scotland, the Scottish Government have recently rejected plans for a wind farm scheme on the Island of Lewis. The site was to be in the Lewis Peatland Special Protection Area. The Scottish Government considered that the legal protections which were in place to protect rare and endangered birds meant that the project could not go ahead.

Devon has a variety of protected areas which aim to conserve its landscape, wildlife, flora and fauna. A balance will need to be struck between the continued desire to keep such areas as they are and the need to find alternative clean energies.

Without careful planning the move to different sources of energy could come at the cost of damaging the environment that it seeks to protect.

Richard Glanville

rsg@michelmores.com