The UK Government is failing to provide consistent commitment and support to companies trying to make the switch to a low-carbon future, according to an influential think-tank report published today.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said Ministers must now deliver a clear message in support of the green technology revolution to provide industry with the confidence to invest in it.

And more damagingly, the IPPR report accuses the Government of blowing “hot and cold” on its commitment to be the greenest ever and reduce carbon emissions.

The findings of today’s report, “Growing Pains: British industry and the low-carbon transition”, were drawn from a series of private roundtable discussions and interviews with senior executives from different sectors which shed light on the barriers to, and the opportunities presented by, the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The findings suggest that there are opportunities for UK plc to take advantage of and adapt to the challenges presented by the UK’s low-carbon transition, particularly in the Transport and Energy sectors.

However, the findings also highlight the need for policymakers to have a more active role in addressing the barriers to low-carbon growth, which face many manufacturing and energy-intensive industries in particular.

And it slates the Government’s approach on recent fiascoes such as the unlawful cuts to the Feed-in Tariff for solar PV.

“Government policy has at times displayed a lack of stability, certainty and consistency, particularly towards low-carbon energy generation,” it described. “Many participants described policymakers as continuously ‘moving the goal posts’, making investment decisions difficult and creating uncertainty.

“Although many felt the FIT reduction was necessary, participants were critical of the way the Government handled the decision. They suggested, as others have done, that the short notice given to companies damaged industry, public and investor confidence.

Source: ClickGreen staff