Investment into renewable energy technologies must not be cut if the UK is to meet its targets for carbon emissions reductions, according to the Committee on Climate Change.
The review body has published a report prioritising a number of renewable energy production methods, along with attempts to save power consumption elsewhere.
Its shortlist of six areas of attention for future investment begins with wind power, which the committee claims could be the single most economical way to incorporate sustainability into the nation's energy mix.
With a drive towards wind generation, the UK could meet its target to produce 15 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2020, while also cutting carbon emissions from the power sector.
Marine methods of generating energy - including tidal and wind - are second on the list, thanks to the island nation's potential to become a world leader in this area by capitalising on the natural environment of its coastline.
Other sustainability principles advocated in the report include engaging with the public on radical technologies to cut carbon emissions from aviation, as well as enhancing efforts on carbon capture and storage.
Electric vehicles also need their investment protecting if the target is to be reached of 1.7 million battery-driven cars on the roads by the end of the decade, the committee says.
Two major areas here include the recharging infrastructure required nationwide to support the use of the vehicles over longer distances, as well as incentives for the initial purchase of electric cars by consumers.
Finally, smart grids and smart energy meters are identified as a way to make use of the nation's expertise in research to its fullest advantage.
Without commitment to these areas, the committee predicts that the 20 per cent target for carbon emissions reductions by 2020 could be under threat.
This is in spite of last week's announcement by energy ministers from the UK, Germany and France that the three countries are targeting a total reduction of 30 per cent each over the same period, compared with the 1990s.
