Aldersgate Group

The Aldersgate Group (AG) has written to all UK-based MEPs to urge them not to undermine the Government’s commitment to increase the EU emissions reduction target to 30% by 2020. A crucial vote in the European Parliament is expected at lunchtime tomorrow.

Andrew Raingold, Executive Director of the Aldersgate Group, said: “A 30% carbon reduction target would provide greater certainty for businesses to invest in tomorrow’s technologies, boosting innovation and creating jobs. This is vital if the EU is going to be at the forefront of a green industrial revolution and is not the enemy of competitiveness, as some have claimed. In fact, many of Britain’s biggest businesses are urging MEPs not to undermine the Prime Minister’s commitment to a 30% carbon reduction target.”

The AG supports the findings of a new progress report by the Committee on Climate Change which finds that an acceleration in the pace of emission reductions is required.

Andrew Raingold, Executive Director of the Aldersgate Group, said: "The Government should not hide behind carbon reductions that are a direct result of the recession. Much greater urgency is required if the UK is to meet its ambitious climate change targets and lead a green industrial revolution."

To read more, click here.

Alongside keynote speakers BIS Minister Mark Prisk and Shadow Minister Luciana Berger MP, Andrew Raingold set out funding priorities and environmental objectives for the Green Investment Bank at the Westminster Forum.

For a full transcript of his speech, click on the pdf.

Two new Directors have joined the Board of the Aldersgate Group, to reflect the Group's expanding size and breadth in membership. Rob Lambe, Managing Director of Re-Thinking Local Carbon at Willmott Dixon and Steve Wallace, Head of Environment at National Grid were both confirmed at the Group's AGM in June.

Meanwhile Terry A'Hearn, Global Director at WSP Environment & Energy has agreed to lead the Group's "Best Value Regulation" workstream. Terry spoke at the launch of the Aldersgate Group's most recent report, "Dealing with Deficits".

The AG welcomes the aspirations of the Government's Natural Environment White Paper, the first for over 20 years, which seeks to value the economic and social benefits of a healthy natural environment properly while continuing to respect nature's intrinsic value.

The white paper will inform a new initiative by the AG on the economic benefit that will arise from effective policies to protect biodiversity and promote the more efficient use of natural capital. This will be led by AG Director Ian Dickie.

Andrew Raingold, Executive Director at the AG, chaired a conference for the University and College Union that called on the Government to turn green skills policy into practice. This examined how the learning and skills sector could implement national low carbon policies and had a practical focus of contributing to action plans to help key players respond to the skills agenda.

Open up Andrew's presentation to read more.

In a letter authored by Peter Young, Chairman of the Aldersgate Group, an alliance of the UK's largest businesses and environmental groups has welcomed the Government's commitment to a legally binding target to reduce carbon emissions. They state that strong and clear action on climate change is essential for long-term economic growth, jobs and competitive advantage.

Andrew Raingold, Executive Director of the Aldersgate Group helped to launch Carbon Smart's latest report on sustainability assurance in 2010. To see the edited highlights of this event, click here. To read more about the event, click here.

Defra has launched (11th May 2011) a consultation on measuring and reporting GHG emissions by UK companies, setting out a range of options for mandatory carbon reporting (click here for the consultation document). The Aldersgate Group believes that the Government must introduce regulations for all large businesses to report their carbon emissions. 

The Aldersgate Group (AG) has called on the Government to accept the recommendations from the Committee on Climate Change, on the Fourth Carbon Budget. The AG believes that robust and clear action on climate change, based on the science, is essential for long-term economic growth, jobs and competitive advantage.