Businesses call for “immediate” green action by new Government

The group believes that despite all three main parties’ stated support for the creation of a green economy, their manifestos do not reflect the urgency and extent of environmental reform required. Their report, 'Accelerating The Transition: Priorities For The First 100 Days Of The New Government’, says that addressing the UK’s environment deficit should be just as big a priority as addressing its financial deficit.

"The storm is brewing and we are nowhere near putting a roof over our heads," writes Peter Young, chairman of the Aldersgate Group, in the report.

The paper makes recommendations for reform in three areas the Aldersgate Group regards as posing major obstacles to the transition to a low carbon economy and subjects of previous Aldersgate reports – resource efficiency, finance and skills.

BT Group chairman Sir Michael Rake, who is also chairman of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, said: "We need an entire workforce of policy makers, company directors, engineers, accountants, scientists, teachers, journalists and retailers, that understand, think and 'do’ low carbon. It should be a priority of the next Government to deliver this."

The main recommendations of yesterday’s report include:
• Setting up a 'shadow’ Green Investment Bank immediately with the aim of passing primary legislation within a year of the election

• By the first Budget of the new Parliament, setting a floor price mechanism to underpin the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme carbon price and publishing a commitment for 20 percent of the UK’s tax revenues to come from environmental taxes by 2020

• Simplification of company reporting regulations on carbon emissions and resource usage, including streamlining regulating bodies

• Enhanced capital allowances, tax breaks and national insurance reductions for green industry

• The immediate publication of a national energy efficiency delivery plan and a commitment to mandatory carbon reporting.

Richard Evans, president of PepsiCo UK & Ireland and contributor to the report, said: "It is clear from the policy recommendations in this report that the business sector is ahead of the Government and other major political parties in terms of environmental ambition and action. Whoever forms the next Government should realise this and be prepared to step up to the plate."

To view the full report go to www.aldersgategroup.org.uk.