Ministers warned over cuts in green technology

THE UK government has been warned against cutting funding for low-carbon technology, such as offshore wind power and electric vehicles, in the face of pressure on Whitehall budgets.

The Committee on Climate Change said any reduction in the 550 million a year for green technology would make it more likely the UK missed its targets for cutting carbon emissions and lost out on opportunities to create green jobs and industries.

The government's advisers on climate change also urged ministers to increase funding over the next decade - once financial pressures have eased - for specific technologies such as marine energy and electric vehicles and for low-carbon innovation generally.

The advice comes days after the Department of Energy and Climate Change unveiled cuts of 34m to funding for low-carbon technology, as part of efforts to shave 6.2 billion off government spending.

Environmental campaigners yesterday said the committee's recommendations should "sound alarm bells all over government" about the dangers of cutting public funding for green technology.

The committee's report said developing areas such as offshore wind and wave power and greener aviation, would help achieve the UK's legally binding target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by the year 2050.