Callum McCaig
The UK Government risks sending a ”worrying signal” by rolling back on
policies to support clean technology, business leaders have warned.
John Cridland, director general of the CBI, said businesses want to be part
of the solution to tackling climate change and the green economy is
”brimming with opportunity”.
But the Government has rolled back on renewables support and is sending
mixed messages on backing for energy efficiency, he warned.
Ministers have announced curbs to solar and onshore wind subsidies and
other support, abandoned the Green Deal home energy saving loans scheme and
axed plans to make all homes zero carbon by 2016 since the general election.
Mr Cridland said: ”The green economy is an emerging market in its own
right, brimming with opportunity, and the UK has built up real credibility
on climate leadership and low carbon investment.
”Yet, with the roll-back of renewables policies and the mixed messages on
energy efficiency, the Government risks sending a worrying signal to
businesses.”
His comments echo those of the industry body Scottish Renewables, which has
warned that the early end of a subsidy scheme for onshore wind farms and
other UK Government energy policy decisions could cost billions in
investment and threatens jobs in the sector.
Niall Stuart, chief executive, said: “The UK Government is clearly
committed to meeting our climate change targets but that will require
further growth of all forms of renewable energy. That is being undermined
by the lack of a clear route to market, with every part of the sector
wrestling with a huge amount of uncertainty.”
Scotland would be home to 70% of planned future wind farms and is therefore
disproportionately affected by the decision to end the subsidy early, the
Scottish Government has warned.
SNP Westminster spokesman on energy and climate change Callum McCaig said:
“The UK Government must listen to calls from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
and ensure a fair grace period for onshore wind developments that are being
hit by plans to close the Renewables Obligation a year early.”
A spokesman for the Department of Energy and Climate Change said the UK
Government is pushing for a “strong global deal” in the Paris climate talks
that “creates a level playing field for business and drives innovation”.
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He also said the Government’s priorities are to reduce emissions in the
most cost-effective way and keep bills as low as possible for consumers and
businesses.
”Government support has already driven down the cost of renewable energy
significantly, helping technologies to stand on their own two feet.”
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