Autumn Conference 2022

Motion #02

Emergency Energy Reduction for the UK

Motion passed

Background

To view the background paper for this motion, click here.

Synopsis

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is funded by sales of coal, oil and gas, making buying these fuels both morally abhorrent and self-defeating. This motion demands an emergency programme to reduce our use of oil and gas and to help the rest of Europe do the same.

Motion

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has created a perfect storm in the energy market and exacerbated the cost of living crisis in the UK. The Green Party demands an emergency programme for energy-saving to end UK funding of Putin’s war and to assist the rest of Western Europe in making the same change.

We can, and should, reduce the UK’s use of oil and gas by more than our imports from Russia within one year. The Green Party calls upon the government to invest an extra £11 billion in the next 12 months:

  • an extra £5 billion in retrofitting buildings with wall and loft insulation and £2 billion on heat pumps.
  • £4 billion in renewable energy projects.

In addition we demand that the government makes the case, as acts of solidarity with Ukraine, for people to reduce their personal energy use. We should target delivery of a 20% reduction by:

  • Driving less,
  • Flying less (or not at all)
  • Heating buildings less.

The government should also reduce road speed limits, as was done during the 1973 oil crisis (and to match many other countries’ actions).

Amendment #1

Amendment passed

In sentence: In addition we demand that the government makes the case, as acts of solidarity with Ukraine, for people to reduce their personal energy use.

Replace “people” with “business and people”.

SOC note: This amendment was taken in parts, text below was defeated as “Amendment 1, Part 2”

Insert a new first bullet point in second list before “Driving less” which reads: “Reduce unnecessary trade, construction and plastic manufacturing” Delete “,” at the end of “Driving less,”

Amendment #2

Amendment defeated

Delete “Heating buildings less.” and replace with

“Heating buildings less (except the coldest homes)”

Amendment #3

Amendment passed

The motion now reads

“we demand that the government makes the case, as acts of solidarity with Ukraine, for people to reduce their personal energy use.

• Heating buildings less.

Delete “Heating buildings less.

Substitute:

“Reducing excessive heating. Since those on lower incomes already drive, fly and heat their homes less than the UK average, this initiative would be targeted at those on higher incomes.”

Last updated on 2022-10-02 at 11:41