Setting out details of Defra’s 2008/09 budget settlement, Hilary Benn has announced an increase in funding for clean energy technologies, investments and enterprises to over £400m over the next three years.

As part of the domestic Environmental Transformation Fund (ETF), the Carbon Trust will receive £47.4m to bring forward new energy technologies such as offshore wind, and biomass heating. In addition, over the next three years government will also provide around £10m for a new anaerobic digestion demonstration programme. Up to four commercial-scale facilities will show the potential of this technology to create renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid waste being sent to landfill.  

The 1.4% real increase in Defra’s overall budget on 2007/08 shows the UK government’s commitment to the environment with significant new investment in the following areas:

• low-carbon technology – domestic ETF fund increased to £400m plus £800m to tackle environmental challenges in developing countries over the next three years
• sustainable waste infrastructure – over £2bn Private Finance Initiative credits provided over the next three years
• flood protection – spending £2.15bn over the next three years
• Rural Development Programme for England – resources doubled to £3.9bn available to 2013.

Announcing the budget settlement, Hilary Benn said:

“Now is the time to act together to tackle climate change and protect our environment. Government must lead the way by ensuring we are investing in building a low-carbon Britain.”

For further information, please click the link to the right of this page.