Stern report

ePolitix.com Stakeholders respond to Sir Nicholas Stern's report into the economic impact of climate change.

Stakeholder Response: CPRE

 

A spokesman said: "CPRE strongly welcomes the Stern report and the clarity of the case made for integrating effective carbon reduction strategies across all public policy and across the world.

 

"CPRE has at its heart, a passionate belief in the wise and efficient use of land in order to keep carbon use to a minimum. 

 

"For this reason we consider a far-sighted and well-resourced planning system to be essential, together with the highest possible standards for energy efficiency and design to secure more sustainable patterns of development.

 

"The complete integration of economic growth policies to reduce carbon emissions will also provide huge opportunities for improving the quality of life and the experience of the environment for everyone. 

 

"But by the same token, the drive towards reduction of carbon emissions will pose significant problems for effective environmental policies. 

 

"Climate change and environmental policy should not be regarded as synonymous. 

 

"CPRE considers that it would be a serious mistake to ignore the need to ensure that a carbon revolution does not inadvertently destroy aspects of the environment, both landscape and wildlife, which are  precious to people now and play a significant part in motivating people to take climate change seriously. 

 

"It would be foolish to alienate communities by imposing inappropriate local solutions or through discounting the beauty and diversity of our landscapes.

 

"No-one will thank us if we impose significant degradation of the landscape and wildlife through ill-planned and ineffective initiatives which make insignificant contributions to reducing the world's carbon footprint.

 

"Renewable energy is crucial to the future of the world, but it is not a panacea in itself and it should be wisely planned just as other energy sources and infrastructure should be." 

 

 

Stakeholder Response: HCIMA

 

Ann Corrigan, deputy chief executive of HCIMA, told ePolitix.com: "Given the HCIMA's long term commitment to reducing carbon emissions through its Hospitable Climates Programme, we are pleased to note that the economic and social impact of climate change is finally being recognised and given credence by every political party.

 

"While the forecasted costs of climate change may and will be argued, what is clear is, that without the picture being painted in clear, and where necessary, stark terms there will be an ongoing and  growing chasm  between those prepared to make changes to the way they live and do business and those who are not.

 

"While Britain is one of the countries moving towards meeting its obligations under the Kyoto agreement more funding needs to be committed to getting the message across that wasteful practices will cost those perpetrating them, not only in the pocket in the short term with payment of the climate levy surcharge, but also in the future with loss of existing and potential customers who are impacted by the effects of climate change.

 

"The HCIMA which represents members throughout the worldwide hospitality sector, recognise the long term impact on the tourism industry both in terms of the quality of destinations and the capacity to get there!.

 

"We welcome the report and the supportive stance being shown by those politicians and business representatives who are in the position to formulate and support an agenda which seeks to protect UK and World citizens from the consequences of waste."

 

 

 

Stakeholder Response: Construction Products Association

 

A spokesman for the Construction Products Association told ePolitix: "The CPA welcomes the Stern report. 

 

"Manufacturers are willing to play their part in reducing carbon emissions and many are already responding with innovation and investment to lower their carbon footprint.  government must play its part in ensuring that in the push for low carbon technologies and for products with low environmental impact, any new policies or taxes do not cause UK manufacturing to become increasingly uncompetitive. 

 

"Manufacturing must compete in the global marketplace and nothing will be achieved by causing manufacturers to close in the UK and to move to countries where carbon emissions are not subject to strict regulation. 

 

"An emphasis on international agreements to lower carbon emissions is therefore crucial.

 

"Major construction projects in the UK such as the Olympics and the Thames Gateway which are intended to be built to sustainable principles will require large amounts of construction products, these must be sourced from manufacturers who can show they are speedily seeking ways to decrease their carbon emissions. 

 

"A reliance on cheap imported products not subject to carbon emission regulations will not do the planet any favours.

 

"The Construction Products Association welcomes the following recommendations in the Stern report to:

 

• take a long-term view for setting emission reduction targets:  Businesses making investment decisions on long-lived assets, for example, industrial plants, work to longer time horizons than many governments.  The certainty of long-term targets would enable companies to internalise their carbon costs and make decisions based on achieving a low-carbon impact. 
   
• develop international agreements for emissions trading: industries are increasingly competing in an international market, and imposing unilateral action would risk fair competitiveness and could lead to ‘carbon leakage’, where companies relocate to countries where carbon emissions are not subject to strict regulation. 
   
• encourage sustainable public procurement policies for national and local government:  Major construction projects in the UK such as the Olympics and the Thames Gateway provide a significant potential to procure on sustainability principles, and one which the government has signed up to.   Procurement policies should encourage a holistic approach that takes account of a product’s life-cycle impact and where the cost of the project is based on its whole-life performance. 
   
• improve efficiency of existing building stock: this is an effective way to reduce demand, increase energy-efficiency and employ low-carbon technologies.  The report shows that the abatement costs are negligible compared to the carbon savings and their long-term cost savings. 
   
• invest in low-carbon technologies: removing barriers to the uptake of more efficient technologies and methods will allow efficiency gains to be recognised through both saving money and reducing emissions.

"The Construction Products Association urges the government to deliver on the above recommendations."

 

 

Stakeholder Response: FSB

 

A spokesman said: "Small businesses are already doing their best to minimise their negative impact on the environment. 

 

"For example, it is in their interests to ensure that they use as little energy as possible to keep their bills down. 

 

"We are very concerned that any new taxes around the Stern report will not only be disproportionate but that they will also be clumsy - hitting firms regardless of their size, ability to process paperwork or environmental performance. 

 

"The climate change levy is not a good indicator that the government will get it right in future. 

 

"It is disproportionately burdensome for small firms and in its current form we do not believe that it will make a significant impact on climate change. 

 

"Small firms see it as just another tax and one on which they have to also pay VAT, adding insult to injury.

 

"The FSB believes that taxes should be used simply to raise revenue, not to change behaviour. 

 

"If the government wishes to encourage more environmentally-friendly behaviour then it should be offering carrots not sticks.  This will prevent the current view that this is simply another way to tax businesses still further.

 

"Jobs and livelihoods are tangible things that can easily be put at risk if the government is too heavy-handed. 

 

"The environment cannot be considered in isolation.  Any adverse impact on small firms from future environmentally-friendly legislation will not be in the country's interests. 

 

"The healthier businesses are the more revenue the government will make from existing taxes that it can then invest in rewarding environmentally-friendly firms. 

 

"Twelve million people work in small businesses and the government is risking a great deal economically if they are to seek further financial penalties on them simply for existing."

 

 

Stakeholder Response: The Woodland Trust

 

Dr Hilary Allison, policy director of the Woodland Trust, said: "We welcome this report and hope that it will represent a turning point in the debate about climate change.

 

"If we are to make the changes necessary in order to avoid climate catastrophe the issue must move out of a green ghetto and into the political mainstream.

 

"Sir Nicholas Stern's report helps point the way forward in this regard.

 

"We also welcome the Prime Minister’s statement that this is the most important report since he first entered No 10.

 

"The significance of the report and the urgency of the action it calls for mean that strong leadership is going to be essential.  

 

"The growing political consensus around this issue should make it easier to take tough decisions internally and use Britain’s influence in the world to effect change in relation to this most international of problems.

 

"A good starting point will be a Climate Change Bill in the Queen's speech which does not shirk the discipline of year on year targets for emissions reductions.

 

"Amongst a raft of powerful conclusions, the Stern report focuses on the dangers of deforestation.

 

"This stands out as especially welcome in highlighting an area which is too often neglected.

 

"Our own recent Woodland Trust report ‘Adapt or Die’ on climate change and woodland argues that we neglect at our peril the reality of our appalling treatment of the world’s remaining forests and its crucial significance for the global carbon cycle’."