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Big Business Calls For Emissions Cuts

Posted: 07/06/2006

Calls by business for tougher Government targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions have been welcomed by environmentalists. The companies are meeting Tony Blair amid concerns that other European companies are cornering the market in green technologies because their governments are giving more incentives to the sector to grow.

The Confederation of British Industry has expressed concern that UK businesses might be disadvantaged by being given tougher targets than competitors overseas. However, the meeting involves some of the largest companies, including Shell, Vodafone, Tesco and Standard Chartered Bank, which may be in a better position than smaller firms to adapt to the demands of emissions targets.

Friends of the Earth Director, Tony Juniper said: "We welcome this call by business for tougher Government targets to cut carbon emissions. This is exactly what is needed if we are to tackle climate change and ensure that the British economy reaps the rewards of going green.

That is why Friends of the Earths climate campaign, The Big Ask, is calling for the introduction of a climate law that will commit the Government to making annual cuts in the UK's carbon dioxide emissions. Companies can also lead by example and take steps to cut emissions from their own operations".

The companies meeting Blair are among the 14 members of the Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change, set up by Cambridge University and the Prince of Wales Business and Environment programme, aiming to bring together business leaders in Britain and abroad.

Last year the group said there was a "catch 22" situation where governments were refraining from new policies to cut emissions because they feared business resistance. At the same time, companies were finding it difficult to invest in low-carbon technology because there were no long-term climate policies.

Now the group say there has been some improvement in climate change policy, but ambitious and long-term action is still needed. It believes ther is potential for business and government to work together in a number of areas, from supporting low-carbon technologies to strengthening building and product regulation and stimulating consumer action.

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