CBI comments on Climate Change Report

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Economist, said:

“The Committee on Climate Change’s report and recommendations mark a new dawn for climate change action in the UK.

“The UK, and its Devolved Administrations, already have ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions across a range of sectors. But the evidence that the UK must go a major step further and become carbon neutral by 2050 is substantial.

“We have already made a good start, especially in the energy sector. The UK has the world’s largest offshore windfarm capacity, we are generating more than half of our electricity from low-carbon sources, and we are leading research into technologies that capture carbon and re-use it. But if we are to reach the new target, we need a step change in Government policy, business action and the way each of us lives our lives.

“Recent protests have shown the strength of public passion and sense of urgency that the UK should do all it can to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, on society, the economy and the environment. What we need now is a supportive and timely response from the UK Government to enact this ambitious target, so businesses and the public can get on with reaching it.”