Introducing the UKBCSE

The UKBCSE brings together the Chief Executives of Centrica, EDF Energy, National Grid, E. ON UK, RWE NPower, Scottish and Southern Energy, Scottish Power, and United Utilities, as well as senior executives from Shell, BP, CE Electric, Air Products, International Power and Renewable Energy Systems.

It is Chaired by Steve Holliday (Chief Executive, National Grid). The Chief Executive is David Green, OBE

Objectives

The UKBCSE aims to:
• Provide a forum for dialogue between the UK energy industry, government and other stakeholders on the key issues shaping the deployment of sustainable energy;
• Promote the policies, investment and commitment needed to secure market growth and sustain long term business planning;
• Highlight the scope for technological and market innovation to deliver key environmental goals.

Through an extensive programme of stakeholder consultation, the UKBCSE took the lead role for the UK Government in bringing together the UK Energy Sector input to the World Summit on Sustainable Development. At the World Summit, the UKBCSE worked with the UK Government to launch the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP).

The UKBCSE also plays an active part in the Climate Change negotiations.

History

The UKBCSE was formally launched in January 2002, and was set up at the suggestion of Government and leading NGOs to create a framework for high level policy engagement across the energy sector on climate change, sustainable development and the transition to the wider use of sustainable energy.

The UKBCSE took the lead role for the UK Government in bringing together the UK Energy Sector input to the World Summit on Sustainable Development, also working to support the launch of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP). In parallel, the UKBCSE launched at the Summit a strategic partnership with the US, Australian and European Business Councils for Sustainable Energy.

In the UK, the Council has taken an active role in the development of cross industry input into the UK energy review, and the succeeding Energy White Paper as well as the Review of the UK Climate Change Programme and a range of other cross cutting issues.

The Council continues to take an active part in the Climate Change negotiations. It is involved in the international discussions about the structure of the second phase of the Kyoto protocol following the end of the first period of the Kyoto Protocol (2008-2012).

The Council has also taken a key role in the development and delivery of the UK Prime Ministers agenda for his G8 and EU Presidencies. The Prime Minister, in his address to the G8 summit as it received the G8 Renewables Task Force Report, welcomed its creation:

"We will work with the UK Business Council on Sustainable Energy to develop further initiatives to promote the use of renewable and sustainable energy."