WWF frustrated by Scottish project collapse

Representatives of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have declared their frustration, after a proposed £1 billion project aimed at boosting air quality in the UK collapsed.

Plans to create a flagship coal-fired carbon capture plant at the Longannet station in Fife have been shelved, as the team behind the facility pulled out of the race to secure funding.

The UK government launched its carbon capture and storage technology competition in 2007, which was designed to encourage revolutionary new methods of producing power without releasing vast emissions.

Head of energy policy at WWF-UK Nick Molho said the news was "frustrating and damaging", as Longannet was "an ideal choice" for a new environmentally-friendly plant.

The WWF had previously warned the government that alternative options would not be as effective as the Longannet site.

Earlier this month, Mr Molho warned the UK government that it should press ahead with its fourth carbon budget plans without holding a review in 2014.

Posted by Lauren Steadman