ABSTRACT
The environmental consequences of climate change are one of the major factors shaping energy policy around the world. As a driver of change, energy policy often unwittingly creates stresses on the environment that can be seen as environmental pressures such as atmospheric emissions. However, the stresses of capturing and using energy are more widespread than just the release of greenhouse gases and include emissions of other pollutants, the conversion and destruction of ecosystems and habitats through land take and the consumption of natural resources including water. Equally important are people's perception of potential risks and impacts of low carbon technologies; this should play a part, alongside scientific evidence, in shaping energy policy.
