Six NGOs, including Greenpeace and Christian Aid, have called on the UK government to increase investment in low carbon infrastructure.
The chancellor should use his autumn statement to announce new investments in on low carbon energy, transport and heating, they said after publishing a new report.
The study – ‘Future low carbon investment in the UK’ – says that UK domestic policy is currently undermining progress towards a low-carbon economy.
Renewables investment is expected to drop by 96% by 2020/21 and public investment in domestic energy efficiency more than halved last year, it says.
The organisations said the government needs to act swiftly during this parliament to reverse these trends and get the UK back on track.
To meet its low-carbon commitments, Britain should allocate £2bn in additional funding for low-carbon power after 2020, allocate funding to scale-up low carbon heat technologies and continue to support purchases of ultra-low emission vehicles beyond 2018.
Raising investment in the low carbon power, heat and transport sectors now will benefit the whole UK economy, boosting jobs and local growth, they said.
The report was jointly produced by Catholic aid agency CAFOD, Christian Aid, Green Alliance, Greenpeace, RSPB and WWF.
“The government has given welcome early signs that it is committed to ambitious leadership on climate change,” Green Alliance acting director Leah Davis said.
“But, in the wake of the US election result, it is now critical that it states its position unequivocally to the world and backs it up with clear actions.
“The autumn statement is an ideal opportunity for the government to show it is serious about action at home, providing much needed fiscal support for low carbon power, heat and transport.”
Image: SXC
