Budget 2015: IEMA Urges Chancellor to Address Carbon Policies and Climate Leadership in Budget

Ahead of tomorrow’s Budget, IEMA has called for “a budget that will provide strong commitments and demonstrate climate leadership” from the Chancellor George Osborne.

IEMA’s Lead on Climate Change Nick Blyth said today: “Tomorrow’s Budget is a landmark opportunity for Government to lead by example and to demonstrate real commitments to help secure international agreement at Paris Climate talks later this year”.

Recent research of its Members found that the Environment and Sustainability profession is hugely supportive of renewed climate leadership by Government;

· 83% believe that the UK’s carbon targets are either suitably ambitious or under ambitious and any moves that could compromise medium term carbon budgets will be heavily scrutinised

· 91% recognise the need for UK Government to work hard to strengthen its leadership and commitment on domestic and international climate change issues[1]

Nick Blyth believes that the strength of feeling from the profession on these climate and energy issues reflects the need for continued ambitious political momentum: “There is an undoubted need and support for continuing strong domestic action and UK international commitments. IEMA Members are making a strong call for renewed political climate leadership from UK Government. IEMA will look to engage constructively with the Government, working with our Members to present critical evidence and experience from the front line climate change professionals.”

In relation to domestic policies some within the profession have also commented that Government carbon reduction policies have over-focused on the very largest companies, neglecting the importance of action and policy drivers for wider businesses (SMEs and large companies). 63% believe there is a need for the Government to rationalise the number of energy and carbon schemes affecting the very largest organisations. At the same time, over half (53%) recognise a case for more financial support to smaller businesses such as tax breaks or loans for implementing energy savings measures.