Business Issues
N-E must tackle green fuel issue from the front
GREEN issues are becoming
increasingly topical on the
business agenda here in the Tees
Valley and the wider North-East region.
On April 15, Gordon Brown signed
Britain up for the green fuel plan, which
will see a minimum amount of green
fuels used in every tank throughout the
country.
This green emphasis is a great
opportunity for the North-East. We have
the skill base, infrastructure and
corporations to help exploit this new
direction.
The process industry and, in
particular, the chemical and
pharmaceutical sectors have a very
strong base in the North-East.
This brings to the region the
necessary research and development
expertise to examine new and
alternative fuel sources.
Additionally, this sector is also a huge
user of energy, so those research efforts
have immediate applications, which can
reward practical innovations.
Ultimately, 2.5 per cent of fuel used in
this country must now be generated
from renewable sources.
This is a major step forward in the
growing issue to safeguard our
environment from the harmful effects of
global warming.
However, Mr Brownfs recent decision
to sign Britain up for the new green fuel
plan saw protestors challenge the Prime
Minister to make changes to the UKfs
new commitment to biofuels.
This has been largely brought about
by a handful of misconceptions and
negative myths about the use of
biofuels, which have gone largely
unchallenged by Mr Brown and his
team.
We all need to do what we can to help
safeguard future generations. We need
to conserve energy and also seek to
exploit viable alternative renewable
energy sources.
Biofuels such as grain, coppiced
willows and wood chip are the right way
forward. The North-East must now
tackle this issue head on and lead the
way.
Martyn Pellew is chairman of the North-East
Chamber of Commerce Tees Valley
9:42am Tuesday 22nd April 2008
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