The chief executive of the British Retail Consortium says the “government needs to go further, faster” in order for retailers to reach net zero targets.
Helen Dickinson made the comments after energy security secretary Grant Shapps announced the new ‘Powering Up Britain – Energy Security Plan’ to help consumers and companies with soaring energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
To rely less on importing fossil fuels, the government has proposed what it is calling a “radical shift in our energy system towards cleaner, more affordable energy sources to power more of Britain from Britain.”
Measures include investing more than £380m into boosting EV charging points and infrastructure, as well as a £30m Heat Pump Investment Accelarator to reduce a reliance on fossil fuels to heat buildings.
Dickinson says the announcement contained some “positive measures” but that the “government needs to go further, faster” as the clock is “rapidly ticking towards retail’s clean energy and transport deadlines.”
“Retailers need to make urgent investment decisions on vehicles and infrastructure to reach net zero transport by 2035, but there is a lack of detail on how new models and technologies will be brought to market at-scale, putting investment decisions on pause,” says Dickinson.
“The industry also stands ready to work with Government to drive renewable energy generation, including through solar panels, and welcomes action to speed up planning, but Government must do more to incentivise retail investment in this area.
“The race to net zero must be a collaborative effort and retailers look forward to working with Government harnessing the industry’s scale to drive down emissions and stimulate green growth.”
