Aldersgate Group welcome UK Transition Plan

Aldersgate Group welcome UK Transition Plan and related strategies

The AG welcomed the detailed and ambitious Government plans for transforming the UK to a low-carbon economy and deliver emission cuts of 18% by 2020 on 2008 levels. In particular, it acknowledged the following positive developments:

• A Remit Change for Ofgem to include tackling climate change and security of supply, a key recommendation from our Commission Statement report;
• Strategic Intervention to remove barriers in targeted sectors where it believes it has potential to take a leading global role;
• A new approach to Carbon Valuation that moves away from a valuation based on the damages associated with impacts, instead using as its basis the cost of mitigation, a key recommendation from Green Foundations 2009;
• The introduction of Low Carbon Economic Areas to accelerate low carbon economic activity in areas where Britain’s existing geographic and industrial assets give a locality clear strengths;
• Enhanced Social Policies including increased financial support for the most vulnerable and creating a new Forum for a Just Transition; and
• Reform to the Town and Country Planning Act to aid better and positive decision-making for renewables.

Areas for further dialogue with Government include;

• To ensure suitable cross-departmental accountability and transparency mechanisms are in place to deliver the Low Carbon Industrial Strategy;
• To commit to a 42 % emissions cut (from 1990 levels) in the event of a global deal reached in Copenhagen later this year, as recommended by the Climate Change Committee;
• To ensure the tariff levels of the Clean Energy Cash Back scheme drive more ambitious small-scale domestic electricity generation;
• Greater commitment and funding for Smart Meters and Grid; and
• Additional strategies and support for low carbon finance, green jobs and skills and resource efficiency (see Transitional Policies below). 

New initiative on Transitional Policies

The AG are embarking on a new project on ‘transitional policies’ over the summer. This will focus on the design of the supporting infrastructure necessary to successfully deliver the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan.

We are currently in the process of setting up three high level working groups. The first, led by Emma Howard Boyd from Jupiter Asset Management, will identify the major barriers to financing the UK Transition Plan and make key recommendations to policy makers. The second, chaired by former TUC President and AG member John Edmonds, aims to build on the recommendations in the Low Carbon Industrial Strategy for green jobs and skills. The third, chaired by AG Director Sir John Harman, will focus on resource efficiency.

Please let us know if you would like more information or have any relevant material.

Carbon reporting event with APPCCG

On the 15th July, the AG hosted a joint debate with the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group on the recent carbon reporting guidance which has been launched by Defra, the CBI and Carbon Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB). Defra Minister Dan Norris MP gave the keynote address, followed by Lindsay Harris (Defra), Paul Dickinson and Lois Guthrie (Carbon Disclosure Project), Dr Rory Sullivan (Chair, CBI Carbon Reporting Working Group), Peter Young (Chairman, AG) and Colin Challen MP (Chair). Further details will be available shortly.

Green Jobs and Skills Inquiry

The Aldersgate Group provided oral evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into green jobs and skills on the 16th June. The witnesses were Peter Young, Aldersgate Group Chairman, and John Edmonds, former President of the Trade Union Congress. To watch the evidence session, visit www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=4313.

Commission Statement Reception

On 3rd June, DECC Minister Lord Phil Hunt launched the AG report Commission Statement which interviews the former members of the CEMEP Commission and makes recommendations for the Low Carbon Industrial Strategy. Speakers at the House of Commons included Commissioners James Braithwaite CBE (Chief Executive, SEEDA), John Cridland (Deputy Director General, CBI), Frances O’Grady (Deputy General Secretary, TUC) and Peter Young (Chairman, Aldersgate Group).

The Guardian Cleantech Summit 2009 - 23 November, London

Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the AG roundtable on low carbon finance, will present key findings at the Guardian Cleantech Summit. This conference will bring together entrepreneurs, corporates, policy makers and investors to innovate, challenge and accelerate the growth of cleantech in the UK.

To register interest email conferences@guardian.co.uk