CO2 reduction blow for manufacturers
December 21st 2009 What do you do when as a Government you have a scheme that is actually working well and achieving your aims of lowering industry’s carbon footprint? You make it less effective that what.
Responding to the Pre Budget Report,Andrew Kuyk , Food and Drink Federation’s sustainability director, says:“We are surprised at the changes announced today to the Climate Change Agreements that the Chancellor himself acknowledges are an effective way of reducing carbon emissions in industries which are high users of energy, including the food and drink manufacturing sector.
“It would appear that he plans to cut the discount available under these Agreements from 80% to 65% for all fuels from 2011. If that is indeed the case, this decision would be very unwelcome. It would mean that companies would have less money to invest in reducing their carbon emissions, which would seem to be at odds with the Government’s claim to be supporting low-carbon economic growth with this Pre-Budget Report.
“The decision is all the more disappointing given the fact that today the Food and Drink Federation has published a new report showing how our members have worked to reduce their carbon emissions by 19% since 1990, the equivalent of almost one million tonnes.As the voice of the UK ’s largest manufacturing sector,we will be seeking urgent talks with Government to seek clarification on this issue.” More articles from WEE News Desk: | 
