CBI comments ahead of Climate Change Summit

Tom Thackray, CBI Energy and Infrastructure Director, said:

“Every day we see yet more stark reminders of the impacts of climate change and the action needed right now – across business, governments and society – to ensure global warming does not reach 2°C.

“We welcome the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s Special Report on 1.5°C and fully support the global effort which has gone into gathering world-leading scientific evidence to determine the consequences of global warming at 1.5°C and above. The CBI also welcome the European Commission’s Long-Term Vision to 2050 Strategy for a climate neutral economy by mid-century. Ahead of COP24, governments and businesses from around the world must follow suit to reiterate their support for the recommendations and agree to raise their ambitions towards a net-zero target.

“The UK has ambitious emissions reduction targets, and has a world leading record on decarbonisation, including uptake in renewable electricity investment. And all while the UK’s emissions have been reduced by over 40% from 1990 levels, as the economy has grown by over 60%.

“But the latest climate science underlines the need to go further, and faster. As the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) gathers its own evidence on a UK net-zero target it’s critical that the government works with businesses across sectors to enable investment and change behaviour on the ground. Ahead of COP24, business is eager to hear from all Governments on their own decisive action to make further steps in the fight against climate change.”