CPA Welcomes CBI’s Climate Change Report

The Construction Products Association has welcomed the CBI’s report, Climate change: Everyone’s business, which was launched today and is especially encouraged that it recognises the crucial role improvements to the efficiency of existing buildings will have in achieving the government’s 2020 and 2050 targets.

Commenting on the report, Michael Ankers, Chief Executive of the Construction Products Association said: “Housing will play an increasingly crucial role in helping government address its climate change agenda. Although the government is putting in place exacting targets for all new build, we have known for some time that the real gains are to be made by addressing the energy efficiency of the existing stock. The Association has been calling for some time for government incentives to enable home owners to improve the carbon performance of their property. We are therefore very pleased that the CBI has also recognised the importance of improving existing residential and commercial buildings and that it is suggesting a range of incentives to encourage these improvements. We look forward to working with the CBI and others to deliver and implement these key messages and recommendations.”

“The report is also clear on the need for the economy to retain its international competitiveness whilst reducing carbon emissions. This economic competitiveness is crucial, otherwise we merely export our carbon footprint overseas, to countries that are perhaps less concerned with their own emissions and we lose jobs at home as well. We therefore also welcome the CBI’s approach to auctioning for ETS allocations and its recognition that those industries, such as manufacturing, which are unable to pass on carbon costs, should be given free allocation based on sector wide benchmarks of good practice.”