'Rural solutions' to climate change

Scientists blame climate change for increased flooding

The threat of climate change should be met by increased renewable energy, say rural campaigners.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) urged ministers on Tuesday to look at new methods of reducing greenhouse gases.

They claim that the use of biomass heat and biofuels such as oilseed rape can provide environmentally-friendly power and help boost the countryside economy.

The build-up in the atmosphere of greenhouses gases is caused by carbon dioxide emissions from burning oil, petrol and coal.

Our members wish to see renewable energy projects as part of a newly invigorated rural economy

Oliver Harwood
CLA

This is believed to cause global warming, which is blamed for unstable weather conditions.

In the UK, campaigners say there has been increased heavy winter rain and flooding in recent years.

Oliver Harwood, head of rural economy at the CLA, addressed an Institute of Public Policy Research conference in London on Tuesday.

He said: "Many of our members are involved in renewable energy projects and all of them are deeply concerned on the likely effects of climate change.

Energy sources

"At the same time, our members wish to see renewable energy projects as part of a newly invigorated rural economy.

"Not only providing reductions in greenhouse gases, but also opportunities for rural businesses to develop markets.

"If the government recognise this and come forward with an integrated policy, they will be giving many rural businesses the chance to participate.

Wind power could be expanded

"But the market must be given a boost so that they have the confidence to invest in these new energy sources."

He called for the government to adopt a policy pledge to obtain 10% of transport fuels from renewable resources by 2010.

Biomass heat is produced by fast-growing short trees such as willows, which are grown and chopped, to be used in power stations.

Oilseed rape can be used as a constituent of petrol which reduces the element of fossil fuel.

Sustainable future

Wind power can also play a part in the future, the CLA said, if used on a small scale or at sea to overcome planning difficulties.

Nick Way, CLA director of policy, told BBC News Online: "We need to get our message out to the public that these projects are producing a better balance of carbon than what's there at the moment.

"Then we need to move to the next stage of getting it into practice."

Mr Way said these methods would reduce fossil fuel dependency and provide a sustainable future for rural areas.

And he called on the government to provide economic incentives for renewable energy sources ahead of fossil fuels.