---

Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill

I want to promote a debate about whether it is more sensible for us to adopt a national approach or whether a regional basis would be more practical and workable. Usually the word ““regional”” is unpopular on the Conservative Benches, but there are occasions when it is relevant and this is one of them. I say that for several reasons, which I shall try to explore. Proceeding on a regional rather than a national basis would create the possibility of conducting pilot schemes. One aspect of our approach not only to the Bill but to related measures that worries me is the assumption that if we simply go ahead with all the splendid schemes, ideas and projects on a national basis, they will work and be beneficial. However, a cautious and focused approach to microgeneration might be more worth while. The amendments suggest that a regional rather than a national basis would give us the facility to pilot effectively whatever we believe will be beneficial and ascertain what works and what does not. That is the first reason for my approach. The other, quite different, reason is that, even in this small nation of ours, there are enormous variations in climatic conditions. Surely we should take account of that when considering the feasibility of different sources of energy, not least microgeneration. It does not require a great deal of imagination to understand that there will be an enormous difference in the contribution that solar panels or windmills are likely to make in a coastal area as opposed to an inland one, in the south of our country as opposed to the north, or in a city as opposed to a rural area.