The government sometimes seems keen to persuade the public to adopt energy saving measures, but reluctant to take bigger steps to combat climate change.

However, that changed a little this week when it gave permission for the construction of a new biomass and waste-fuelled power station in Essex.

Lord Hunt, the energy and climate change minister, said the new 60 MW plant at Tilbury Docks would help the country to hit its renewable energy targets, as well as creating jobs.

"If we are to tackle climate change we must reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and also make use of renewable sources of fuel," he added.

Debates about nuclear, clean coal and wind power tend to be high profile, but the potential offered by waste as a source of energy is often overlooked.

Projects like this one and the anaerobic digestion plant planned for Selby Renewable Energy Park may only be relatively small measures, but they must be regarded as real steps forward.

Of course, tackling climate change requires a collective effort, so the government taking some positive action is not an excuse for individuals to forget about energy saving measures and living a greener lifestyle.