John Prescott gives new opportunity for sustainable energy

30 July 2003

Today's announcement of plans for major new developments in the Thames Gateway could stimulate a new generation of investments in sustainable energy.

Commenting on John Prescott's announcement, David Green, Chief Executive of the UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy said:

"Today's announcement provides an opportunity to move forward with the Government's commitments in the Energy White Paper. Building to high standards of energy efficiency coupled with the integration of renewable energy technologies into these new developments will make a substantial contribution to the government's target for a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.

The challenge now is to make this happen systematically and effectively, so that we see on the ground the delivery of the Government's energy policy"

The Business Council believes that action will need to be taken to:

• Stimulate development partnerships between those building the new communities, those who will live there, and the businesses who can deliver sustainable energy;
• Secure high standards of energy efficiency and the widespread use of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies in the new developments;
• Enable the energy sector to invest in the infrastructure that will be needed to deliver sustainable energy to the new communities.

David Green concluded:

"We need to work now to develop the truly sustainable communities that will help deliver the Government’s targets for carbon emission reductions. What happens in major developments such as the Thames Gateway is crucial. We have the practical opportunity to turn the vision into reality."

The UKBCSE brings a wide range of major business in the UK energy sector. It works closely with the US and Australian Business Councils for Sustainable Energy, as well as E5 - the EU wide sustainability group, to secure progressive polices and measures that will stimulate action by businesses to tackle climate change.

For more information contact

David Green, Chief Executive, UKBCSE
Tel: 020 7976 6655

Russell Marsh, Head of Policy, UKBCSE
Tel: 020 7946 4290
Mob: 07941 953634
E-mail: russell.marsh@bcse.org.uk