Fast and bold climate action can be catalyst for global recovery says CBI

A leading British business organisation says the UK must become a global leader in climate action in order to create new green jobs and lift productivity in a post-pandemic world.

Speaking at the CBI’s first virtual Net-Zero Conference, Director-General Dame Carolyn Fairbairn called on the Government to take ambitious steps nationally and use the rest of the year to reignite global efforts to achieve net zero by 2050.

It came as the organisation launched its Green Recovery Roadmap, which outlines six priorities to reignite business investment, create green jobs and kickstart a sustainable economic recovery. It has also called for the much-anticipated Energy White Paper and National Infrastructure Strategy to be published this Autumn in order to unlock business investment.

Dame Fairburn commented: “Business has been promised and is waiting for the Government’s climate blueprint as well as plans for the decarbonisation of transport, heat and buildings. The UK is in pole position to lead the world in green tech. We have the science, ambition and expertise to succeed. As COP26 Chair and holder of the G7 presidency next year, the UK has a unique opportunity to prove itself a global climate leader post-Brexit. Together business and government can lay the foundations for a strong, sustainable future.”