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Prior to its publication, the White Paper was heralded as the opportunity for the UK to take the lead towards a low carbon economy. Its four key objectives are: to achieve 60% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 with real progress by 2020; to maintain the reliability of energy supplies; to promote competitive markets in the UK and beyond, while raising the rate of sustainable economic growth and to improve our productivity; and finally to ensure that every home is adequately and affordably heated.

In striving to achieve the long-term reductions target, the White Paper sets out the measures that will need to be taken. They include being part of a Europe-wide emissions trading scheme by 2005; bringing forward the review of the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Regulations to 2005; and introducing a number of policies aimed at raising product and building energy efficiency. Encouragement for the development of low carbon fuels is also planned.

Reaction to the Paper has been mixed. Some organisations have used it as a platform to take courses of action towards achieving the ultimate goals. Others express disappointment that details haven't been included on how these aspirations will be realised – or funded.

Following the publication of the White Paper, Action Energy launched its 'Thank you' campaign, publicly praising companies who have already taken positive steps towards reducing carbon emissions. Their names appear on billboards, advertising their commitment to a greener future. Action Energy director Gary Felgate says: "The White Paper put energy efficiency as the top priority for the UK in the drive to cut carbon dioxide emissions. The 'Thank you' campaign highlights leading British businesses that have already recognised this, and are taking action now and putting themselves in a stronger position for the future. By featuring these companies, we want to encourage others to follow suit."

CIBSE has also welcomed the White Paper, claiming that this is the time for its members to lead the way in achieving greater energy efficiency. CIBSE President Doug Oughton says: "Achieving energy efficiency is a central part of the work of building services engineers, and this renewed emphasis puts building them in a pivotal position in helping cut emissions of greenhouse gasses." Oughton also states that CIBSE members will be at the forefront of helping the government to achieve its goals and to "deliver a real impact on energy efficiency."

Positive noises
He adds that the with the information tools CIBSE can provide, combined with the expertise of engineers, energy consumption within buildings will be vastly reduced. "We recognise the need to raise our game on energy efficiency and will be looking to all our members to respond to this opportunity to do everything they can to support the Government's 60% reduction target by 2050, with real progress to this end by 2020."

In tandem with the release of the Energy White Paper, the Carbon Trust announced its first major portfolio of low carbon projects. The portfolio will include projects involving fuel cells, wave power, photovoltaics and chp, amounting to a £70 million combined public-private investment. Chief executive of the Carbon Trust, Tom Delays, says: "These projects are just the start of our programme of low carbon innovation investment and development. The UK must play a leading role in low carbon investment to reap the business benefits of climate change."

Positive noises have also come from the Institute of Energy, which proclaimed the document as "a giant step in the right direction". Chief Executive John Ingham says: "We strongly support the White Paper's focus on carbon reduction, with the major expansion of renewable energy and energy efficiency. To this end the Institute is planning to continue its key facilitation role and is organising a conference to discuss the contents of the White Paper looking at both the practical implementation and timing issues."

There are some though, who don't believe the White Paper has gone far enough, or indeed that it has set out firm enough proposals outlining how we are going to reach the targets. The ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Research Establishment has expressed concerns that the Paper has made no clear indication of the kind of funding arrangements that could be set up to facilitate this push for greater energy efficiency. In its statement released on the White Paper, the BRE says: "The White paper does not promise any additional funding to achieve the very challenging doubling of the past rate of energy efficiency improvements and there is no clear commitment (other than further consultation) regarding the introduction of new fiscal measures to promote greater energy efficiency."

There is also concern over the approach of the White Paper to what the BRE describes as "promising but unproven technologies such as micro-chp." It draws attention to the fact that penetration of condensing boilers after a full 20 years in the market is still only 12% in the UK. BRE claims that "a major investment in research, development and market transformation will be required to achieve a significant take-up of radically new technologies, particularly if there are major infrastructure issues to be resolved."

No firm targets
Criticism has also been aimed at the failure of the government to put its neck on the line over a firm target for the amount of electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2020. This has understandably angered organisations such as Solarcentury, a major player in the pv market. Chief executive Dr Jeremy Leggett said: "The government needs to set clear targets, set out the practical steps required to achieve those targets, and then deliver the step change in investment funding that the pv industry and other renewable energy technologies have been calling for."

The National Energy Foundation, while welcoming the Paper, and in particular the 60% reduction target, as recommended two years previously by the Royal Commission for Environmental Pollution, also commented that it had fallen short of making firm shorter term targets. Deputy director of the Foundation Ian Byrne says: "We have always believed that energy efficiency needs to be given a higher priority in combating climate change. We believe the White Paper has not been innovative enough in seeking the latest improvements. The White Paper says that new homes 'will perhaps even achieve zero carbon emissions' by 2020. We think that this should be regarded as the norm for new homes by 2020, with pilot schemes to test the concept being tried out now."

So it would seem that the government has scored top marks for attitude with its White Paper. But the score dips somewhat when it comes to content. Prior to the publication of the White Paper, it was said that a step-change was required for the UK to set itself firmly on course for a leading role in dealing with climate change (BSj 03/03). The reaction in the construction industry to their attempt at achieving this change seems to have been: good, but could have done better.

While the UK has turned in the right direction towards a low carbon economy, this White Paper hasn't quite gone far enough in setting tangible targets and workable methods with which to reach them. One thing is for certain however, the role of building services engineers will be vital in the ultimate success of the aspirations set out in the document. And it offers CIBSE members a big opportunity to raise their profile and demonstrate their worth to the wider community.