On 14 June, 2011 the CBI hosted its annual Energy Conference at the Royal Society. Examining the likely impact of the government's proposals for Electricity Market Reform, the day featured keynote speeches from CBI Director General John Cridland, Energy Minister Charles Hendry, and David Kennedy, Chief Executive of Committee on Climate Change. Read John Cridland's speech here Watch the speeches: David Kennedy Paul Drechsler Breakout session - Charles Hendry - Charles Hendry q&a - John Cridland - Tim Morris - Julian Hetherington - Kanat Emiroglu - Panel session one - Panel session two - Supported by: Breakout sponsor: Promoted by:

The CBI today (Wednesday) reacted to a speech by Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, at the CBIs Climate Change Summit 2010, in which he announced a consultation on the Carbon Reduction Commitment and a delay in the introduction of phase two the trading part of the s...

The CBI today (Friday) commented on the Committee on Climate Change’s recommendation for the Government to re-design the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) energy efficiency scheme. Dr Neil Bentley, CBI Director for Business Environment, said: “An effective CRC would encourage businesses to cut their energy use, but in reality many firms’ experiences of complying with the scheme have been slow and arduous. It is a sad state of affairs that the current CRC risks distracting organisations from the real goal of energy efficiency.

The CBI is warning that plans to hand back powers to ministers to approve major infrastructure projects could lead to further delays in building vital energy schemes. The UK's leading business group says the Government's decision to replace the independent Infrastructure Planning Commission (IP...

London is the global centre of carbon trading, being the location of over 75% of all carbon market trading desks and housing 80% of all carbon market brokering firms. The strength of its financial sector and venture capital activity has made London home to over 75-AIM listed clean technology companies, while in 2008 in excess of £19bn was invested in global renewable projects and companies by London-based banks. Based in the heart of the City, the European Climate Exchange was launched in April 2005 and quickly became the mostliquid carbon market place in Europe with more than 90 global businesses signing up to trade emissions products, serving several thousand clients around the world. In 2008 annual volumes increased 170% to 2.8 billion tonnes, a figure that was already surpassed in the first four months of 2009.

The CBI today (Monday) commented on the Environmental Audit Committee’s report on carbon budgets, which proposes a 42% cut in carbon emissions by 2020. Dr Neil Bentley, CBI Director of Business Environment, said: “Businesses are excited by the opportunities the shift to a low-carbon economy could open up, and we were disappointed that world leaders did not agree a binding global deal on emissions cuts at Copenhagen. “This makes it all the more urgent for the UK to press ahead with its own plans to curb emissions, including a big push on energy efficiency and serious investment in a broad mix of low-carbon power generation.

The CBI says emissions trading schemes should be adopted by other countries to help cut global carbon emissions and tackle climate change. As the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen meets today (Monday 7th December), the UK’s leading business group argues a scheme, which caps emissions and allows firms to buy permits for carbon, such as the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, should form the basis for a global carbon market. John Cridland, CBI Deputy Director-General of the CBI, said: “UK firms have a strong interest in a successful outcome at Copenhagen. After all, it will be business that delivers the new infrastructure and develops the products and services needed for the shift to a low-carbon economy. "The last thing we want is a disorderly transition with countries making their own arrangements and moving at different paces. “First, we want all nations to deliver a strong commitment to reducing ...

The CBI is warning that unless at least six new nuclear plants are built by 2030 the UK risks missing its climate change targets and undermining energy security. According to the CBI, 16GW of new nuclear will need to be built to shift the UKs energy system to a low-carbon model. That equates to ...

The CBI is warning that unless at least six new nuclear plants are built by 2030 the UK risks missing its climate change targets and undermining energy security. According to the CBI, 16GW of new nuclear will need to be built to shift the UKs energy system to a low-carbon model. That equates to ...

The CBI today commented on the Committee on Climate Change’s report, ‘Meeting Carbon Budgets – The need for a step change.’ Dr Neil Bentley, CBI Director of Business Environment, said: “In April the CBI published a series of roadmaps, which set out the steps needed to get the UK on track to meet our ambitious carbon reduction targets and secure our energy supply. This report echoes much of our thinking around the urgent need for a clear timetable for action on climate change. “It will be the private sector that delivers the infrastructure needed to shift to a low-carbon economy. However, we have already seen cases of firms delaying investment because of uncertainty about government policy. It is up to the government to provide the right policies, and then let the market get on with delivery. “We need the National Planning Statements, as well as regulatory and funding details for ...

The CBI today commented on the government’s plans for the electrification of the rail route from London to Swansea. Dr Neil Bentley, CBI Director of Business Environment, said: “With transport accounting for nearly a quarter of emissions in the UK, the electrification of the rail network is a positive step towards decarbonising our whole public transport network. We need to change the way we move ourselves and freight around the country to reduce emissions. “Electrification of the railways will increase future demand on electricity generation, so we must speed up investment in a balanced mix of low-carbon energy sources.