Businesses urge the Chancellor to use the upcoming Autumn Statement to provide a coherent, proportionate, and robust response to the global race to net zero
07 November 2023 - Senior leaders from UK businesses including Amazon, Unilever, Zurich Insurance, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, AVEVA, Salesforce and Nestle are calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to use the Autumn Statement to clearly set out what the government’s priorities are for net zero industries and technologies.
Read the full letter.
The transition to a net zero economy is a vital opportunity for the UK economy, but for UK businesses to harness these benefits the government needs to provide a clear and consistent long-term strategy, develop a supportive policy environment, send better signals to the private sector about the scale and type of investment needed, and continuously engage with businesses and financial institutions.
HM Treasury has an opportunity to set the guiding pathway by which we transition the economy, particularly to focus on areas where the UK has a competitive advantage.
The letter, which includes 50 signatories including EDF, SSE, Grosvenor, Anglian Water, VELUX and Interface, was coordinated by the UK Business Group Alliance for Net Zero led by the UK Corporate Leaders Groups, convened by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).
Beverley Cornaby, Director of the UK Corporate Leaders Group said: “We are in a global race to net zero; not just a race to avoid the worst impacts of climate change but also a race to take advantage of the economic opportunities offered by the transition to a low carbon economy. Businesses have consistently shown their support for net zero ambition and action. We are today calling on the Chancellor to help unlock the economic benefits for businesses in the UK and ensure the UK retains its position as a global leader on climate change.”