Guessing Game Over Britain’s New Climate and Energy Policies

Questions over whether or not the new Environment Secretary Owen Paterson regards addressing climate change as a priority for his department remain unanswered, after the government released a statement that failed to address media reports that he is widely regarded as a “climate sceptic”. Rumours have circulated around Whitehall all week about the extent to which the new Environment Secretary opposes green initiatives, following reports he recently led calls for a rapid expansion in shale gas projects, an end to all renewable energy subsidies, and the construction of more airport capacity. One senior sustainability executive at a major firm said the reshuffle looked like “bad news” for environmental issues, adding that Paterson’s appointment sent out “all the wrong signals to investors”. --James Murray, BusinessGreen, 7 September 2012