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Government must untangle energy efficiency policy

The government needs to "untangle overlapping policies" and to give more support to businesses to encourage a greater take up of energy efficiency measures, according to a new report by the CBI.

The business lobbying organisation is urging the government to “reassess all current business energy efficiency policies” and create a “coherent framework”.

They also call on the government to support large and energy intensive users by “implementing a coherent policy” for combined heat and power, using the Business Bank to raise awareness of financial support relating to energy efficiency for mid-sized businesses; extending the Green deal to businesses; and consider how business rates could incentivise energy efficiency, such as waiving refurbishment rates for empty properties.

The CBI also urges businesses to “step up action” on energy efficiency by cutting bottom line costs and opening up growth opportunities.

Rhian Kelly, CBI director for business environment policy, said: “Businesses are frustrated with the tangle of overlapping policies that are bureaucratic, complex and costly.”

He added that the government needs to “come up with a simpler approach” and that the Energy Efficiency Deployment office “will need to make its mark quickly”.

Climate change minister Greg Barker said: “I’m determined to do even more to create the right conditions for businesses to cut energy waste, and take advantage of the energy efficiency opportunity.

“That is why we launched the Energy Efficiency Deployment Office in February 2012 to help businesses overcome a range of barriers to making considerable cost savings.”