"We have had big plans before, though not this big"

John Hutton, business secretary

"We are opening a new chapter in Britain's history as a nation of enterprise and innovation, moving from the old, carbon-intensive economy of the industrial revolution to the new low-carbon technologies of the 21st century.

"We must make the most rapid progress possible to become a cleaner, greener economy and we will strive to make these changes in the most effective way possible, with the least cost to consumers.

"We will also maximise the economic benefit for the UK by creating a new generation of green collar jobs and making the most of our strengths as one of the world's largest manufacturing economies; a world-class centre of energy expertise and a leading location for inward investment."

John Cridland, deputy director-general, CBI

"Climate change must be an immediate priority for businesses and consumers and early, decisive action will bring benefits. The expansion of renewables will give a welcome boost to the UK renewables industry and help it become a world leader.

"Business has long supported pragmatic and cost-effective solutions to meeting our carbon targets, but the EU renewables target is neither of these things. As today’s document explains, the target is likely to cost the UK an additional £6bn a year, much of which will fall on businesses and households.

"Some of the proposals make good sense, such as the focus on energy efficiency, but we are concerned over whether the very high level of renewables the document envisages, particularly for electricity, is feasible and cost effective."

Andy Lee, chairman, Renewable Energy Association and manager, Sharp's Solar Division

"We welcome the proposals and believe they show a new level of maturity. The proposals appear to cover every aspect and they are taking a much wider view of the issues than has been the case in the past.

"It is a phenomenal step in the right direction, but the reality now is that we are in 2008 and we are looking at hitting the target by 2020 – there is a lot of catching up to do.

"The proposal for a simple feed-in tariff for onsite technologies is very welcome, but I would argue that we need to see more on what is going to happen with the existing housing stock. The plans for all homes to be zero carbon by 2016 are welcome, but that will leave 26 million homes that are not zero carbon. "

Maria McCaffery, chief executive, British Wind Energy Association

"The measures outlined today could transform the UK's energy supply, with wind leading the way. This could be a routemap for a green energy revolution.

"However, time is running out to take real action on climate change and to plug the UK’s looming energy gap – only swift action to unblock the planning regime and fix the grid will allow us to reach the targets on time.

"Government and industry now need to work together to ensure that the majority of these new [green collar] jobs are based in the UK."

Dr Mark Williamson, director, Carbon Trust's Innovations division

"The key question is: can we deliver this major ‘dash for renewables’ in fewer than 12 years and at the lowest cost to the consumer?

"Achieving this will require a scale of deployment, investment and political commitment never yet experienced for renewables. The clock is now ticking; a Marshall Plan for renewables is needed urgently to turn the 2020 vision into a commercial reality.

"Meeting a 15 per cent energy target for renewables by 2020 will deliver deep cuts in our carbon emissions and put us on a clear path to hitting our overall 2050 targets. It will also be a giant step forward in enabling key technol ogies, such as offshore wind and marine energy, to reach commercial maturity.

"As well as significantly reducing carbon emissions, delivering on the 15 per cent target will also provide increased energy security, replace decommissioning conventional generation, and offer major economic development opportunities for UK-based companies."

Dale Vince OBE, managing director, Ecotricity

"We have had big plans before, though not this big – what we have always been missing is the guts to make them happen, to drive the change needed. That is why we have missed targets before and why we will miss them again. Talk is one thing (and we have had plenty of it, low-carbon economy this, climate change biggest threat that, and so on), what we need is action.

"Offshore costs twice as much to generate from so unless huge sums of public money are being set aside, it will not happen. Onshore is blocked by the planning system and unless the government intends to get to grips with this simple reality, again it won't happen.

"Wind is our big opportunity – it's our new North Sea Oil. We have enough to run the country three or four times over and it is stuck in a planning system that is not fit for purpose and was not designed for it."

Robin Webster, energy campaigner, Friends of the Earth

"The government's thinking on renewable energy has been stuck in the slow lane for too long – this consultation indicates they are ready to shift up a gear.

"The government is asking all the right questions about how to kick start a renewable energy revolution – but there are worrying gaps in their plans to deliver it. We are calling on ministers to end attempts to wriggle out of European green energy targets and get on with leading Britain to a cleaner, greener and more prosperous future.

"Meeting the European targets is a challenge, but it is also a huge opportunity to build a thriving renewable energy industry that will bring billions of pounds, hundreds of thousands of jobs and a clean and secure energy supply to the UK.

"And it is the only route to a secure, low-carbon future in an era of spiralling oil prices and dangerous climate challenge."

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