This is Scunthorpe reported that the Scunthorpe steel industry's three main trade unions have urged the government and the European Union to reconsider a 30% carbon reduction target.

As per report, Community, Unite and GMB leaders fear current climate change and energy policies threatens the jobs of thousands of steelworkers in Scunthorpe and the rest of the UK. The lobby comes in the wake of a warning from Mr Kirby Adams MD of TATA Steel Europe that additional costs likely to be introduced under European legislation will damage the competitiveness of British steel making.

The alarm bells were sounded after a report forecast the total increase in energy bills could be as high as 141% by 2020.

A report by the TUC and the Energy Intensive Users Group states the cost increases present a major challenge to the viability of energy intensive producers in the UK, including the Scunthorpe Corus steelworks.

Mr Michael Leahy general secretary of Community said that "We accept that we must move towards a low carbon economy, but the hit you take to get these is all important. The UK's steel industry is already among the greenest in the world and steel can play its part in the renewable energy projects that will help our transition."

He added that "But to do this we need to counter the threat from 'carbon leakage' that is putting the steel industry and the jobs of our members at risk today. The industry is operating under an uncertain and costly regime of climate change and energy policy. It means that decisions on essential research and development to green the industry further are being held back while energy prices are increasing."

(Sourced from www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk)