CBI calls for energy savings after weak Copenhagen deal
By Rowena Mason
Published: 5:47PM GMT 22 Dec 2009
The business group said that companies needed to take matters into their own hands, after lack of action from the Government and a disappointing deal from global leaders at the Copenhagen climate change talks last week.
It acknowledged that improvements had been made in some areas of the energy industry over the last year, including the new planning system, support for nuclear power, tighter emissions caps under the carbon trading scheme and progress from the aviation and shipping sectors.
Related Articles
Slough to rival world's greenest cities with carbon pledge
Climate change measures will cause rise in fuel bills says minister
China 'ready to strike deal' on global warming, says Ed Miliband
Industry lukewarm on PM's green power plans
Green new deal proposed by Lord Turner
However, the group pointed out that in 20 out of 24 areas the UK was lagging behind the timetable needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20pc over the next decade.
It is particularly concerned about the slow progress being made in improving energy efficiency among businesses and consumers.
“Following the disappointing outcome to the Copenhagen negotiations, the immediate emphasis must now be on those actions that don’t require global agreement and that bring economic benefits in their own right,” said Richard Lambert, director-general of the CBI.
“Rather than piecemeal plans to tackle energy waste, we are calling for the Government to publish a low-carbon delivery plan to help the UK save energy.”
Bruce Duguid, head of investor engagement at the Carbon Trust, also called on business to make its own changes, despite the political failure at Copenhagen.
“While the signals from Denmark were nowhere near as strong as most business would have wanted, Copenhagen does make clear that there is no turning back on the low-carbon economy,” he said.