In particular, EEF, the manufacturers' organisation believes clear long-range targets and realistic mechanisms through which to achieve them are vital to address climate change in a cost effective manner. EEF also welcomed the commitment to ensure that other sectors of the economy begin to play their part in reducing emissions, including transport and domestic, but will want to see this enshrined when the Bill is introduced.
Commenting, EEF Director General, Martin Temple, said:
“Industry supports the introduction of a long-term framework for climate change policy. This will enable business to plan and invest with a greater degree of certainty over the future level of caps on emissions and the pace with which they are introduced.
“However, an accurate understanding of the technical and economic factors involved in setting such long-range targets is not possible several decades ahead. As a result, the UK must maintain a flexible approach to its targets to adapt to changes in scientific, economic and political circumstances.
Martin Temple also added that UK climate change policy cannot be crafted in isolation and must be based on collaboration with the international community.
“Government should also commit to regular reviews to ensure that we do not adopt a ‘go it alone’ policy. A unilateral approach will not deliver on the environment and would leave UK businesses operating in global markets significantly exposed. Ironically, it could ensure that the UK achieves its domestic climate change targets by displacing its manufacturing industry to countries without comparable regulation of emissions.”
Furthermore, EEF believes that reducing domestic carbon emissions will require a concerted effort across society and a major transformation of the economy (e.g. significant de-carbonisation and improved energy efficiency in electricity supply, transport, industry and domestic housing.)
EEF also gave its support to the setting up of the ‘Committee on Climate Change’, the expert body to be tasked with advising and challenging government. The changes made to strengthen its independence and expand its role will help deliver more balanced, effective and accountable policy in this area.
In particular, EEF believes the Committee, which must be made up of technical experts rather than stakeholder groups, has a key role to play in assessing the balance of effort from all sectors of the economy in terms of abatement potential. This will ensure that each sector of the economy makes respective contributions to reducing emissions and that environmental objectives are achievable and cost effective.
ENDS