A broad coalition, including major companies and over 60 MPs, have demanded that the Government set out a more robust framework for the introduction of a mandatory carbon reporting standard.    

In an open letter to the Prime Minister from Aldersgate Group Chairman, Peter Young, the signatories challenge the Government’s current position regarding the corporate disclosure of carbon emissions. It is also highly critical of the decision to weaken a provision in the Climate Change Bill for a clear path to legislation at the earliest practical opportunity.

The letter argues that the Government’s new strategy, which includes a review in over three years time, “does not reflect the urgency or magnitude of the issue, nor correspond with your (Gordon Brown’s) vision for robust and transparent carbon accounting under the (Climate Change) Bill.”

The signatories include Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.

Peter Young said: “The fact that over 60 MPs have signed this letter is testament to the widespread support for mandatory carbon reporting.  Business leaders, green campaigners and politicians are uniting around one clear message – it is time that businesses report their carbon emissions in a clear and transparent way.”

The Aldersgate Group have urged the UK Government not to weaken vital EU proposals on car efficiency.  While the Group welcomes the Government’s position to limit the emissions of new cars to 100 g/km by 2020, a suitably robust target for 2012 is also essential.  By creating new markets and increasing competitiveness through greater resource efficiency, such legislation would contribute to achieving the core Lisbon Strategy objectives of generating more growth and jobs, while in turn reducing the future cost of compliance and delivering on a range of wider benefits.  

A new report by the Aldersgate Group finds that disjointed policy and weak enforcement risk damaging the credibility of the Government’s ambitious targets for low-carbon buildings.  ‘Better Regulation for a Sustainable Built Environment’ finds that current policy and regulation is fragmented, inconsistent and poorly applied.

The Government is also urged to provide serious incentives for improvements to the existing stock, which presents a far bigger opportunity than new buildings, and lead by example in dealing with its own estates.

The Aldersgate Group and All Party Urban Development Group will be hosting an event at the House of Commons to debate the impact of the credit crunch on the sustainable buildings agenda.  Speakers are Jon Lovell (Head of Sustainability, Drivers Jonas), Paul King (Chief Executive, UK GBC), Peter Cosmetatos (BPF), Neil Jefferson (Zero Carbon Hub) and Clive Betts MP.  It will take place on Wednesday 5th November at 2pm.  Please RSVP to Andrew Raingold.

In August, the Government launched a consultation on a new system of regulatory budgets for Departments that would limit new regulation on the basis of cost alone.  It is claimed that this would allow the Government to better manage the costs of new regulation, whilst still using regulatory impact assessments (RIAs) to assess their overall impact on the economy.

The Aldersgate Group have a number of concerns with this initiative.  Primarily, it will constrain the growth of regulations that are fundamental to protecting society and the environment and it is not yet clear how direct and in particular indirect  benefits (such as innovation) will be brought into decision-making.  The consultation closes on 12th November.

The Aldersgate Group will be hosting a reception at the House of Commons Dining Room on Thursday 4th December at 4pm.  The Group will launch a new report Green Foundations 2009 and will discuss the importance of maintaining high environmental standards during the current economic downturn.  To RSVP, contact Andrew Raingold.