The Government must rapidly step up action on climate change - or risk undermining "global Britain" and success at key Cop26 talks this year, its advisers have warned.
The UK Government has not yet backed up its long-term climate target of net-zero by 2050, often described as "world-leading" by Ministers, with realistic and ambitious delivery plans, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) is warning.
In two progress reports, the Committee offers its appraisal of progress on the twin climate challenges: cutting emissions to Net Zero and adapting to the climate risks facing the UK. There is an ever widening gap between the rhetoric and actions.
Ian Mean, Director for the Chamber of Commerce in Gloucestershire approached Siobhan Baillie MP for Stroud ahead of his Economy and Business Meeting held earlier this week to ask what business support is being made available to businesses. He read out her reply at the meeting which confirmed that as of yet, there is no funding available to support businesses to make changes to reach Net Zero.
Yet, businesses are telling us that government support and incentives are needed. At that meeting where eco-entrepreneur and founder of Ecotricity, Dale Vince, was among the panellists, businesses were saying that whilst there are lots a business can do at low or no cost, progress would be accelerated with government support and incentives. With this decade being decisive in our ability to limit climate change, speed is of the essence.
When asked what government should do, Dale believes that they need to do something fundamental - taxes, subsidies, and regulations could help businesses make necessary change. While Ben Goodare, Head of Corporate Responsibility added:
‘Climate change is seen to be an issue that business can fix. Without government supporting it, it won’t get to where we need to go.
Our own Business West Local Economic Survey showed that businesses across the region consider climate change a business issue (70% of respondents) and while 45% had implemented plans and processes to reduce their environmental impact, 31% are taking some action but recognise this is less ambitious than could otherwise be the case and 19% were not taking any action despite recognising it to be a business issue. Delving into the responses to understand the barriers facing SMEs wanting to take action, 30% said this was due to lack of capital, 25% cited lack of knowledge, 24% on changing policies and regulations. These are all areas where government intervention could step in.
As the Chamber of Commerce, and a voice for business, we are working to make the needs of businesses known. Ahead of the G7, we wrote to the Prime Minister as part of the South West Chambers of Commerce with 5 key asks, including:
- Show businesses a path to a more sustainable future.
- Balance regulation with incentive.
- Show leadership.
- Be fair and free.
- Innovate and inform.
We will continue to work with our regional, national and international partners and stakeholders to call for the mechanisms to accelerate progress to Net Zero. Our Climate Advisory Group enables us to call on the expertise of our members.
In the meantime, we will be sharing examples of best practice across the region, resources and opportunities for peer-to-peer learning through our Trading To Net Zero hub.
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