Businesses need certainty to hit Net Zero goals - Chamber

Business leaders today warned changes to the Government's environmental policies could impact negatively on businesses who are striving to hit their own Net Zero targets.

It comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the rolling back of some of the Government's environmental commitments in a speech yesterday.

Among the changes announced by Mr Sunak included a five-year delay on the ban on new diesel and petrol vehicles to 2035.

The ban on fossil fuel boilers will be delayed for certain households and grants for boiler upgrade schemes will increase by 50 per cent to £7,500.

The Prime Minister has also pledged to scrap new policies that force landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties.

Despite these significant changes, the Mr Sunak insisted that the UK's Net Zero target for 2050 will remain in place.

But Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce said these latest policy changes could impact negatively on businesses who are committed to implementing their own environmental strategies.

Kuran Singh (pictured), policy advisor at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), said: “The challenge of achieving Net Zero by 2050, must always be based in pragmatism to ensure people and businesses are not left behind.

“Across Greater Birmingham, businesses continue to show an increasing commitment to achieving Net Zero. According to the GBCC's Net Zero and Business Insights report, 65 per cent of businesses implemented measures aimed at reducing their environmental impact- an increase of 6 per cent compared to 2021.

“Whereas local businesses will welcome the move towards improving the planning process and access to the grid, many will question the validity of rowing back on the transition to electric vehicles - a sector in which the West Midlands is making serious inroads.

“Ultimately, the continuous changes to Net Zero policies can only negatively impact business confidence and strategic planning, by increasing uncertainty for businesses.

“It is vitally important to provide businesses with confidence and clarity, to reduce the impact of implementing environmental initiatives.

“The government must look to introduce legislation that it will stick to, to provide businesses with the confidence they need to make decisions related to the Net Zero agenda.

“Businesses across the region can learn more about implementing environmentally friendly measures in the GBCC's upcoming Sustainable Business Series, which seeks to share best practise and insight, supporting businesses in the transition to Net Zero.”

Click here to register for Sustainable Business Series events and webinars.