Climate confusion

The UK’s largest business lobby has warned the ‘uncertainty’ of the government’s plans for tackling climate change is discouraging major investments in the effort.

The CBI claims little progress has been made in speeding up the planning process over the last six months, and this is preventing businesses from investing in new low-carbon energy, such as wind, nuclear and clean coal plants.

The organisation has launched its second Climate Change Tracker, which monitors the progress of the government, companies and consumers towards a low-carbon economy over six months.

The CBI said only four of the CBI's 24 key indicators being measured is on track.

‘Massive private sector investment will be required to get our energy system up to scratch and cut carbon emissions, but delays in implementing the Planning Act are threatening the future of these critical energy projects,’ said Richard Lambert, the director-general of the CBI. ‘Businesses are not going to commit to building the wind, nuclear and clean coal power stations that will be needed to keep the lights on if they think the goal posts are going to get shifted further down the line.