The renewable energy industry in the UK is facing a crisis, Labour leader Ed Miliband has warned as he urged the UK Government to commit to ambitious new targets.
The coalition at Westminster must pledge that all of Britain's electricity should come from non-carbon sources such as nuclear power, renewable energy or energy from "clean coal" technology by 2030, he said.
Speaking at Europe's largest onshore windfarm, on Eaglesham Moor just outside Glasgow, Mr Miliband also claimed that Scotland leaving the UK could jeopardise investment in renewable energy.
An "extraordinary coalition" of business leaders and non-governmental organisations have called on the Government to commit that by 2030 electricity in this country is produced from non-carbon sources.
Mr Miliband said: "You might be saying 'that sounds quite ambitious, should we really be committing to that, won't that cost lots of money?'. This is absolutely in our economic interest and I urge the Government to commit to that.
"We've got to be absolutely clear about this crisis our green industry is facing in Britain. And the crisis is caused by the huge uncertainty this Government is creating about its intention on climate change and energy."
Mr Cameron's commitment to the environment has "evaporated" since he came to power, Mr Miliband said. "I promise you this: if I am elected as prime minister, the next Labour government will put climate change, the environment and Britain's future energy needs at the centre of our agenda."
Environment campaigners welcomed Mr Miliband's backing of a target date for when electricity should come from non-carbon sources.
Friends of the Earth's executive director, Andy Atkins, said: "With coalition promises to champion the environment rapidly evaporating, it's more important than ever for Labour to show real political leadership on the mounting climate change threat."
Matthew Spencer, director of the Green Alliance, said: "By supporting a power decarbonisation target, Ed Miliband has demonstrated that he has a good understanding of the UK's energy infrastructure challenge. There are already around 10,000 British jobs promised in new offshore wind turbine assembly alone, but they will be at risk if the coalition delays the decision on decarbonisation until after the election."
