Sir, No one could doubt that climate change has become the most important issue of our day, as evidenced by the gathering of 10,000 delegates in Bali to discuss the successor to the Kyoto Protocol. It is right that governments should act to set targets to promote more sustainable development.

Climate science has provided the understanding needed to set targets for emissions reductions that will mitigate the worst effects of climate change. Engineers are now called upon to deliver practical solutions.

While it is technically possible to meet agreed targets, bringing the necessary engineering solutions to market in the quantities required is a Herculean task. Sir Nicholas Stern showed that doing nothing will be a lot more expensive than taking action now — but it will still require massive investment in development and commercialisation.

However, the proliferation of schemes, targets and laws around the world creates a confused landscape that only climate change specialists can navigate. The tools to reduce emissions in the necessary timescale come mainly through engineering. But there are no easy answers: renewable energy sources such as wind, wave and solar could all provide low-carbon electricity but are at varying stages of development; biofuels and hydrogen could reduce transport emissions but there are inherent risks; carbon capture and storage could significantly reduce emissions from fossil fuel power plants but there is yet to be a full-scale, commercially viable demonstration.

Throughout history engineers have shown their ability to provide innovative solutions to many of mankind’s problems. We can do so again but we cannot achieve the impossible. If the practicalities and realities of successfully implementing new technologies are not adequately considered then the aspirational targets of the UK Climate Change Bill — and the Bali conference — will fail.

Philip Greenish

Chief Executive, Royal Academy of Engineering

Tom Foulkes

Chief Executive, Institution of Civil Engineers

Ruth Spellman

Chief Executive, Institution of Mechanical Engineers

David Brown

Chief Executive, Institution of Chemical Engineers

Keith Read

Chief Executive, Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology

Sir, Our Government’s contention that the UK’s performance against its Kyoto targets is a demonstration of real progress towards a sustainable energy future is dangerously flawed. An energy policy that continues to focus on certain renewable technologies while adopting a laissez-faire approach to the inexorable rise in road and air traffic does not imply pragmatic leadership in the global energy field.

Now is surely the time to prise our future energy strategy out of the hands of politicians and to establish a fully independent national energy authority, mandated to look at the entire spectrum of energy-related challenges we face, and identify those steps and measures that have the potential of making the greatest practical contribution to addressing those challenges. We can then aspire to a national energy policy driven by expert analysis rather than flawed ideology and short-term political expedience.

Bill Guest

Energy consultant

Horsmonden, Kent

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