Government warned major energy U-turn required

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has backed the Paris climate change deal agreed on clean energy, describing the agreement as “an exciting opportunity for business”.

The government has been criticised over its policy with regards to renewable technology that has seen plans for solar power subsidies to be cut and a leaning towards gas and nuclear power to meet the UK’s energy requirements, rather than cleaner energy sources.

Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, said that government needed to demonstrate its commitment domestically in terms of policy in order to be taken seriously on the commitment it made in Paris.

She commented “We now have a climate deal agreed by the world’s leaders that puts us on a sustainable low-carbon path and which can provide the framework for business to invest with confidence.

“It will now be for governments to show how they plan to turn global ambition into national reality. Businesses will want to see domestic policies that demonstrate commitment to this goal and none more so than in the UK.

“While the UK is making its voice heard at global talks, more needs to be done at home. The Government must provide a stable environment that enables investment in cleaner, more affordable and more secure energy generation, including renewable technologies and new gas plants.

“As other nations start to play a greater role and increase their ambition, the UK needs a level playing field for carbon costs, so that our energy intensive industries can compete effectively in a global, low carbon market place.”

A barometer on the government’s intentions to clean energy will come later this week when Energy Secretary Amber Rudd conforms her plans on the proposed 90% reduction in solar subsidies.

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