CBI Calls for Major Push on Energy Efficiency

2nd September 2013

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has called for a major push on energy efficiency, challenging the Government to simplify overlapping policies, and calling on businesses to take action on energy efficiency to cut costs, manage risks and exploit opportunities for growth.

In the new report, ‘Shining a Light: Uncovering the business energy efficiency opportunity’, the CBI reveals that better energy management can reduce business energy bills by 15%, but that businesses remain confused and frustrated by overlapping energy efficiency policies, hindering their energy efficiency efforts.

The CBI has called on the Government to assess all energy efficiency policies which currently affect businesses, in order to streamline the various policy strands into one coherent framework. The report also asks the Government to consider how Business Rates could be used to incentivise investment in energy efficiency – by waiving rates for refurbishment of vacant properties in the short-term.

Rhian Kelly, CBI Director for Business Environment policy said:

“Energy efficiency has sneaked under the radar in the UK’s energy debate and is making a material contribution to UK growth. But there is so much economic and environmental potential that remains unfulfilled.

“With energy prices still on the rise, energy efficiency can help mitigate the impact on firms, particularly heavy users. We have seen progress from many companies, but others need to make the leap, showing strong leadership at the top with robust structures put in place to manage energy use.”

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