This report by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), a UK business organisation, shows that the UK has the capability to become a key global player in low carbon products and services, which could add £20 billion to annual GDP by 2014/2015. However, government and business must work together in a proactive and pragmatic way to fully maximise the UK’s green growth potential. The CBI calls on the UK to adopt a smarter, and a more consistent and certain approach to energy and climate change policy, to enable business to invest with confidence. The report lists ten recommendations to the government on the green economy:
- maintain the ambition of binding emissions targets;
- play a strong role in regional and international climate negotiations;
- establish clear and stable market frameworks;
- stimulate new consumer markets;
- cut “green tape” by reducing complexity in existing regulations;
- reflect the value of all sectors in the economy;
- build upon the country’s strengths;
- capture greater value from green investments;
- facilitate the flow of finance; and
- develop “intellectual infrastructure” and address strategic skills shortages.