Bureau Veritas UK on a Sustainable Future with New Government Policy
One week on from the new UK Government being in place Dr Richard Maggs , Head of Environment & Sustainability Affairs at Bureau Veritas, discusses the new government’s commitment to an ambitious green agenda which aligns closely with the company’s vision and objectives - particularly regarding the acceleration towards de-carbonisation and the UK’s continued response to a more sustainable future.
A Welcomed Response to the New Renewable Energy and Net Zero Policies
The new government’s announcement of £23.7 billion dedicated to green measures is a significant step forward set against the uncertainty on green issues that the UK has had in recent years. Whilst there is always much more needed, the investment is expected to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy sources and nuclear power through the establishment of Great British Energy. These ambitions are crucial for advancing our focus on net zero pathways and are also in line with our company goals, therefore we welcome the urgency and scale of the Green Prosperity Plan, which includes targets to double onshore wind capacity, triple solar panel installations, and quadruple offshore wind capacity by 2030.
The commitment to creating 650,000 green jobs by 2030 is also a target we both encourage and welcome. Whilst we appreciate the ambition, we have concerns around the practicality of it achieving it, particularly in light of the current widely acknowledged green skills gap and wider employment issues in the UK. The new government will need to enhance these policies moving forward and promote more apprenticeships and workplace support schemes to alleviate pressure on the current workforce. To achieve this both successfully and sustainably, there needs to be a collaborative effort between the government, private sector, and educational institutions.
We also welcome the immediate decision to lift the ban on onshore wind farms in the UK. Removing this ban and prioritising planning permission for much needed infrastructure is a big step in the right direction. This move will no doubt strengthen the renewable energy sector, create more jobs, and help the UK achieve its net zero targets. However, with that said, it’s critical for measures to be put in place to balance the viability of sites for developers set against the concerns and local benefits that communities need to otherwise gain from the changes that wind farms will bring to their communities and landscape.
A significant bottleneck to achieving net zero is the power grid infrastructure and distribution network. We are pleased to hear about the new governments plans to upgrade the national grid and reform the planning system. We agree with these initiatives and encourage the government to begin to work, engage and consult with relevant stakeholders on the changes needed to unblock this element of the pathways to de-carbonisation.
At Bureau Veritas, we’re optimistic about the new direction set, however given the urgency in need for climate action, it is key for the new government to not only translate policy commitments into tangible actions swiftly, but also ensure economic growth is achieved through an increase in funding. The newly created national wealth fund of £7.3bn is step in the right direction, which we hope will spur a rise in investments.
We look forward to supporting and collaborating with industry peers through a range of our services that span from design reviews and permitting of renewable assets, procurement and construction, health & safety, environmental impact studies and asset management, as well as wider sustainability services.
Ultimately, we aim to create a safer world and a safer workplace, aligned to our corporate social responsibility and our place as a world leader in testing, inspection and certification services.
For more information, on our services, please visit www.bureauveritas.co.uk/sustainability