A coalition of major multinational businesses have written to European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker to demand more ambitious energy efficiency targets for 2030.
The Federation of Master Builders has warned that energy efficiency retrofits are falling down the government’s list of priorities following the “alarming” decision to scrap the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
The UK’s energy policy will now be a decided by a new industry led department headed up by former communities minister Greg Clark, who has been appoint secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy.
Upcoming plans from the government to simplify the energy tax and reporting framework have been met with support by the majority of respondents to a new survey, despite a considerable proportion being unaware of the consultation process which is already underway.
The scheduled rise in business rates on companies owning solar installations on their properties has been raised in the House of Commons, with shadow energy minister Barry Gardiner accusing the government of “sleeping on the job”.
Businesses with solar rooftop installations are being warned to expect an increase in business rates taxes of up to eight times the current levels as of April 2017 following a re-evaluation of how these assets are valued.
Business leaders and sustainability professionals have unanimously welcomed this morning’s confirmation that the government has set the fifth carbon budget at the recommended level.
Steve Howard, chief sustainability officer at IKEA, has called on the government to introduce “clear policy signals” which he said could unlock “tremendous amounts of decarbonisation”.
