CBI responds to Committee on Climate Change Progress report

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Economist, said:

“This vital new report provides an urgent reminder that we need to do more to get on track to achieve net-zero emissions. It outlines many welcome measures for carbon-reduction, as well as highlighting some areas where further consultation with business will be needed.

“We agree that progress to decarbonise power needs to be coupled with government-led strategies on energy efficiency, decarbonising transport and sustainable manufacturing and industrial processes. While policy recommendations to specific departments demonstrate the need for net-zero to become a core objective that cuts across government and devolved nations.

“The CBI continues to champion the UK’s 2050 net-zero target and the need to accelerate progress towards ending our contribution to climate change. Our latest report stressed the strikingly clear economic rationale for making low-carbon investment a key pillar of our post-pandemic recovery.

“As we look to build back better from the Covid-19 crisis, we reach a critical moment in our fight against the climate emergency. Business stands shoulder to shoulder with political leaders and consumers in its desire for ambitious change.”

The CBI launched its own Principles for a low-carbon, sustainable and net-zero aligned economic recovery post COVID-19 on Tuesday 23 June 2020, available here: https://www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre/articles/sustainability-will-help-uk-build-back-better-by-powering-a-green-recovery-cbi/