UKERC Public Attitude research discussed on BBC Radio 4

Author: charlotteknight Published At: Fri 25 May 2012 11:21 BST (627 Reads)

25.05.12: UKERC research into public attitudes towards future energy systems including offshore wind, nuclear and carbon capture and storage (CCS) was the focus of BBC Radio 4’s Material World programme this week.

UKERC researchers Professor Jim Watson and Professor Nick Pidgeon were invited onto the programme to discuss the key elements of the Energy Bill and public attitudes towards energy system change.
On the programme leading environmental psychologist Professor Nick Pidgeon, from Cardiff University, reveals how public attitudes towards energy system change are more positive than generally expected.
Discussing the preliminary findings from the UKERC research project ‘Transforming the UK Energy System: Public Values, Attitudes and Acceptability’, Professor Pidgeon explained that members of the public recognised a need for change in order to protect the environment, ensure the security of energy supply and move away from fossil fuel. Results show public attitudes were particularly favourable towards renewables as a means of delivering this change.
Setting the context for the draft Energy Bill, published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) this week, energy policy expert Professor Jim Watson explained how the current energy mix is still driven heavily by fossil fuels such as gas, coal and oil. At the moment only 3% of energy comes from renewables but this figure needs to rise to 15% by 2020 in order to meet current EU targets. He goes on to explain that the Energy bill focuses on electricity supply, as electricity is perceived to be the best way to help lower carbon emissions and aims to encourage investment into technologies such as CCS , nuclear and renewable energy.
Listen again to the programme here
For further information about the ‘Transforming the UK Energy System: Public Values, Attitudes and Acceptability’ click here
Related links
UKERC explores the Energy Bill
Public favours renewables as best means of achieving energy system change

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For further information, please contact Lindsay Wright or Charlotte Knight at the UK Energy Research Centre:
lindsay.wright@ukerc.ac.uk – 020 7594 2669
charlotte.knight@ukerc.ac.uk – 020 7594 1573

About the UK Energy Research Centre

The UK Energy Research Centre carries out world-class research into sustainable future energy systems. It is the hub of UK energy research and the gateway between the UK and the international energy research communities. Our interdisciplinary, whole-systems research informs UK policy development and research strategy.