Climate Change: Everyone's business

A review of the CBI document that considers the impact of Climate Change on Britain and Britain's industry.

The report builds on and emphasises many of the statements already made by the Government, it avoids offerring specific solutions or identifying technologies, rather it provides a general view as to the importance of addressing climate change through a carbon efficient economy.

The key messages from the report and our comment can be seen below:

1: That the Government's targets can be achieved, though only through some effort and with all participants in the economy doing their part: Consumers; Government and Business.

It is important that all parts of the Government including local and national have a consistent way in which they promote the reality of climate change as a fact rather than a viewpoint.

Recent news where a judge - apparently - upheld a view from a school governor that the Al Gore film "An Inconvenient Truth" was misleading in that it wasn't balanced. This finding was in turn undermining any statement from the Government that climate change is a fact, not a theory and that vital action is needed. It risks categorising man made Climate Change as a matter that is still up for debate.

2:That energy efficiency is a key driver through till 2020 after which much of our generating capacity will need replacing, thus offering an opportunity to opt for carbon zero, neutral or efficient technologies.

The replacement of generating capacity is ongoing and the need to consider what is built is relevant to how we deal with Climate Change now, rather than something that can be put off till 2020. Any new generating plant should only be built when its Carbon and general impact on the environment is fully understood. The choice of methods of generating should take into account the lifetime costs, not just the immediate cost benefit.

3:That existing and new technology has a part to play. Not only in addressing climate change but as a driver in developing our economy. In particular that industry must grasp this technology and lead with it.

The government through its regulatory powers in managing and monitoring such as the delivery of water, sewage services, energy and gas is in a unique position to impose change and the take up of renewable technologies. With little or no cost to the taxpayer, regulated industries in having a regulatory imperative to not only introduce renewable technology, but even having to justify why not, where these are not introduced, can be used to show other parts of the economy how to do it!

4:That consumers must be empowered to play their part. The Government and industry must make it possible for consumers to contribute to this process of emissions reduction.

It is clear that the is increasing promotion of small scale renewable technology to the domestic consumer. In some cases these are inappropriately sited, this might be solar panels on the North - but more visible - side of a roof or a wind turbine shrouded by trees and other buildings. However these instances are rare. What is increasingly reported is a tendenecy of planning officers to refuse permission where they are able to do so for very appropriate small scale renewable technologies and efficient building designs. Often favouring stock developer designs or avant-garde designs that are more form than function.

This is largely a case of joined up Government. Surely those consumers who are prepared to invest in these new technologies should be actively encouraged, the ubiquitious planning department should be supporting these people, not using it to emphasise what is often a culture of 'NO'

5:That market forces, though important, cannot be relied on to bring about sufficient change. Changes to tax and other incentives are important and key to getting both the message across and promoting a change in attitude.

Tax penalties and financial incentives can take a key role in promoting the introduction of changes that will work to mitigate climate change, however, the risk remains that it will be seen as a simple expedient to raise taxes without a corresponding reduction elsewhere. The risk being that this increase is seen as arbitary, climate change being no more than an excuse to extract money from the public!

Click here to download the CBI's summary report

 

UK Energy Situation

• Over the next two decades, the UK will need substantial new investment in electricity generation capacity to replace closing coal, oil and nuclear power stations and to meet expected growth in electricity demand.
• 8GW (a third of current capacity) of the UK’s coal power stations must close no later than 2015 (EU environmental legislation.)
• More than 10GW of the UK’s nuclear power stations will close by 2023.
• The UK is likely to need around 25GW of new electricity generation capacity by 2025, (more than 30% of today’s capacity).

Global Energy Demand

 

 

 

 

 

 

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