Government must step up climate change action, says CBI

Business group the CBI is urging the Government to strive to meet climate change targets despite the financial crisis.

The warning came at the CBI's Climate Change Summit, where director-general Richard Lambert said the Government must step up its efforts to achieve its target of an 80% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

It comes as European leaders prepare for the latest round of climate change negotiations in Poland.

And the CBI has launched a climate change tracker to keep up to date with the Government's action, keeping tabs on progress in four areas: energy, buildings, transport and industry.

Mr Lambert said that the Government's targets for reducing emissions required action, or a chance to secure the UK's energy supply and achieve a low-carbon economy would "slip through our fingers".

"We must not let the global economic crisis become an excuse for inaction on climate change", he said.

"If the Government can deliver the right framework for investment then UK businesses can take the initiative by developing and exploiting new green technologies to improve efficiency and cut costs.

"The sooner that happens, the closer we will be to creating significant numbers of green collar jobs, building future prosperity for the UK and meeting our climate change targets."

Climate Change Secretary Ed Milliband told the CBI conference that leaders of EU countries needed to make a strong pledge to achieve a climate change deal, and that US president-elect Barack Obama's commitment to a low-carbon economy presented a "massive opportunity".

IMAGE John Giles/PA Wire