As the UK green economy awaits the government’s Clean Growth Strategy the low carbon economy and environmental campaigners face a similar dilemma, albeit on a smaller, national scale. How should they greet a document, said to be due any day now, which is likely to both inspire and frustrate? It is all but inevitable the final version of the strategy will provide plenty of ammunition for those who think the government has singularly failed to deliver a commensurate response to the climate threat. The fear is this long-awaited new strategy will feature a raft of aspirations and non-binding goals that once again defer all the big financial decisions on clean energy support and energy efficiency funding to the glacially-paced mandarins at the Treasury. Difficult decisions on onshore wind farms, building standards, electric vehicle infrastructure, and much more besides could similarly be kicked into the pampas-long grass of yet more consultation exercises. These concerns have been further reinforced by the collapse in Theresa May’s authority and her perennial reluctance to take on the headbangers in the right of the party.
Business Green 9th Oct 2017 read more »