Government may be urging residents to cut down on energy consumption, but sustainable development campaigners say it is up to Ministers to take the lead.

The Island's dependence on traditional fossil fuels means we have a heavy price to pay faced with soaring oil prices, with a barrel of crude now at $100.

This reliance also drives up the general cost of living, with Government reporting yesterday that the annual rate of inflation is now at 4.8 percent.

Government's post-General Election reshuffle has created a Ministry of Energy, but we are still awaiting the Sustainable Development Strategy and Implementation Plan following the public consultation of 2006.

Last night sustainable development group Greenrock called on Government to bring in a National Energy Plan and to take "immediate" action to source alternative forms of power for the Island.

Andrew Vaucrosson, Greenrock Vice President, said that rather than waiting on Ministers to take steps, Greenrock has felt the need to introduce renewable energy sources at a grassroots level.

Website www.greenrock.org offers tips to householders on reducing consumption while also profiling technologies such as wind turbines and alternative fuels such as Biodiesel.

Mr. Vaucrosson said: "Instead of just waiting on Government to get around and do this, Greenrock is already working with energy stakeholders to come up with initiatives to help reduce consumer consumption of energy, especially fossil fuels.

"The biggest challenge for Greenrock over the last two years was getting this current Government to be more focused on this issue, compared to other 'political pet projects' whose net impact just increases Bermuda's consumption of energy and fossil fuels.

"Since the General Election in December, Government has now created a Cabinet position that includes the word 'energy' in its portfolio.

"Greenrock applauds the effort, but Bermuda can't afford to wait several months or years before an actual National Energy Plan is drafted.

"The general public needs to realise and wake up and smell the 'coffee', and Greenrock hopes to enlighten people on what proven alternatives and possibilities we can expect to have that are sustainable, environmentally-friendly and can be implemented over a short period of time.

"The public's day of reckoning is 2011, only three years away, when Belco has admitted it won't be able to meet Bermuda's energy needs."

He said: "The biggest challenges Greenrock has faced is the lack of knowledge, willingness to change and lack of accountability in the public sector around Bermuda's energy plan.

"So the buck stops with us — the general public. We need to demand that Government addresses this issue on how Bermuda can effectively generate power in an environmental, sustainable, and immediate fashion.

"We need to demand that Government make this process transparent and provide public input. And we need to make Government accountable on ensuring that this is done immediately."

Stuart Hayward, chairman of Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST), said: "This is one area where the Government needs to rethink. Large vehicles, luxury tourist limousines and hotels are wasteful and opposed to the spirit of sustainability and the Kyoto Protocol, both of which the Government says it supports.

"Our Government should take the lead with a comprehensive energy reduction plan for all Government buildings and vehicles, develop a sustainable energy strategy and policies, and produce an energy-reduction education/information packet for the community."