David Cameron visited the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) today, in what was taken to be “a powerful signal that the Department has very serious work to do”, according to a DECC press release.  The new Prime Minister has set to work on addressing the environment and climate change through transparency of emissions cuts, long term decisions and “real action” on the joint manifesto “priority agenda”.

Cameron started the complex task of addressing energy and the environment with ambitious emission cut targets for central government of 10% in just 12 months.  In addition to which, real-time figures will be published to ensure transparency as emissions are cut.  The announcement was made to an audience of DECC staff in London today, during which the Prime Minister confirmed he wants “this to be the greenest government ever”.

New DECC ministerial team

Britain’s new Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne, joined Mr Cameron in his address to the department and talked about the urgency for tackling the “greatest threat to our common future”.

Mr Huhne consolidated on Cameron’s speech, commenting; “Together we have the opportunity to make this the greenest government in our history.  And to put energy security, for too long a second order issue, at the heart of the UK's national security strategy.

“I intend to make it far easier for people to make their homes more energy efficient to reduce wasted energy and cut their bills.  To give the power industry the confidence it needs to invest in low carbon energy projects.  To create jobs and growth right across the low carbon economy.”

Importantly, Mr Huhne also commented on proposals to address the need for a global climate deal, saying the new Government intends “to use every influence we have internationally to get a global deal to tackle climate change.”

The Secretary of State will be joined at DECC by supporting ministers Gregory Barker and Charles Hendry.

Access DECC’s press releases online here.