Reading, UK: Next week’s autumn statement is an opportunity to regain the momentum on government support for business investment in the transition to net zero, says the Cold Chain Federation.
The federation’s message comes while world leaders gather in Egypt this week to discuss the scale of the climate change challenge at COP 27. The chancellor is due to deliver his Autumn Financial Statement on 17 November.
Shane Brennan, chief executive Cold Chain Federation, said: “Despite the multiple crises they are navigating day-to-day, temperature-controlled storage and distribution operators are still taking steps to accelerate their progress towards net zero.
“As well as the footprint of our own operations, our industry can also play an important role in the wider national energy transition as generators and stores of power in a more sustainable, resilient and greener system. Investing to meet these ambitions is vital as we seek to tackle climate change and avoid further food price inflation, both in the short and longer terms.
“But there are some clear barriers, and the government action required remains pending. We are looking, for example, for Government to fast-track planning applications for midscale renewables; to increase access to renewable energy generation and storage installation grants; and to extend energy efficiency incentives through the Climate Change Agreement scheme.
“Next week’s autumn statement gives government a crucial opportunity to regain momentum in its support for businesses investing for a net zero future by committing to actions such as these,” Brennan said.
The Cold Chain Federation continues to engage government ministers for assurance that the food supply chain will be a priority industry for energy supply in the unlikely event of shortages this winter. A suite of measures that government should take to support cold chain operators during the current energy crisis and towards a net zero cold chain for the future were detailed in the Cold Chain Energy Access Crisis Action Plan, published by the Cold Chain Federation in September 2022.
