Policy Briefing: Delivery, Delivery, Delivery: Recommendations for the UK Government from the BGA’s Business Leaders’ Summit 2024
11 October 2024 – At Labour’s 100-day mark in government, the country faces critical climate milestones, including setting its next upcoming UK Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2035. This report calls for the UK government to focus on “delivery, delivery, delivery” – moving from promises to action through cross-sector collaboration, transparency, and sustained leadership.
Read the Policy Briefing
The Business Leaders’ Summit, hosted by the UK Business Group Alliance for Net Zero (BGA) and supported by Amazon earlier this year, brought together over 70 experts, including business leaders, academics, and representatives from government and civil society. Held during London Climate Action Week 2024, just before the UK General Election, the summit aimed to deliver actionable recommendations for the new UK government to accelerate its net-zero agenda.
As the government approaches its 100-day mark, this report’s timing is crucial. Despite promising announcements, bold action is now needed to restore the UK’s leadership in climate action. Business leaders are driving this change, but the government must create a stable, pro-sustainability environment to attract green investment.
The summit included workshops on eight key policy areas, such as international climate policy, climate finance, innovation, energy, transport, industrial decarbonisation, land use, and sustainable buildings. The discussions produced sector-specific recommendations and broader themes to guide the UK's path to net-zero.
Key recommendations:
- Consistent, long-term policies: Establish robust, long-term climate policies that align with both national and international goals. This should include creating an independent oversight body to ensure consistency and avoid policy reversals that harm business confidence and investment.
- Engagement and education: Launch a comprehensive public and business engagement plan to foster understanding and support for sustainable practices. Effective communication strategies are needed to shift narratives and build community and business support to transition to net zero.
- Support for SMEs and addressing skills gaps: SMEs play a pivotal role in driving innovation and implementing net-zero initiatives. The government must provide targeted funding and support to address skills shortages in sectors like renewable energy and the built environment, ensuring a just and inclusive transition.
- Integration of climate and nature-based solutions: The UK should adopt a holistic climate strategy that links emissions reduction targets (such as NDCs) with biodiversity plans. This integrated approach would promote climate resilience while safeguarding the country’s natural ecosystems.
The summit concluded with a strong call for the UK government to focus on “delivery, delivery, delivery” - moving from rhetoric to action by implementing these recommendations through cross-sector collaboration, transparency, and sustained leadership.
Beverley Cornaby, Director of the UK Corporate Leaders Group and Chair of the BGA, said: "With the new UK government now marking its 100th day in office, the publication of 'Delivery, Delivery, Delivery' is a timely call to turn ambition into tangible action. The Business Leaders’ Summit of 2024 brought together a diverse coalition of voices, unified in their commitment to a sustainable and thriving future economy. The message from our community is clear: the UK government has an extraordinary opportunity to lead by example and set the standard for climate action worldwide. The time for promises has passed; now is the moment for bold, decisive leadership that drives real progress and fosters an environment where green innovation and investment can thrive. Let’s turn words into deeds and build a future that generations to come can be proud of."
Monica Ariño, Director UK Public Policy, Amazon, said: "Amazon was delighted to support the Business Leaders’ Summit and to see over 70 businesses and organisations come together to develop concrete policy recommendations. It’s an exciting time for those of us determined to deliver a more sustainable future and we’re pleased to see the Labour Government put this at the centre of the growth agenda. Last year, Amazon matched 100% of the electricity our operations consumed with renewable energy, seven years ahead of our goal. This is part of a holistic approach to building a more sustainable company for customers, people and planet, so we look forward to future collaborations and working hand-in-hand with the Government on shared net zero goals.”