Research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) (
www.fsb.org.uk) warns that the UK risks failing to meet its ‘climate change’ obligations without the help of small businesses.
The FSB’s latest report — The price of power: Energising small business in the next UK Carbon Plan — claims that, with “improved incentives and fewer barriers”, small firms can be “key to closing the carbon gap”.
The report calls for the Government to produce a new Carbon Plan with a specific strategy on crucial areas such as micro-generation and energy efficiency across the UK’s small-business community.
The report says that ‘security of supply’ is the biggest energy concern for 60% of small businesses, while 86% of small businesses believe that the UK is too reliant on imported energy.
Making it easier and more attractive for small firms to contribute to the generation of ‘green energy’ would both help to meet carbon targets and make the UK more self-sufficient with supplies, it argues.
FSB chairman Mike Cherry said: “The UK energy sector is facing the greatest transformation since the Industrial Revolution. However, the whole system for incentivising and subsidising infrastructure lacks transparency, consistency, direction and ambition; it needs a strategic overhaul.
“The Government should produce an updated Carbon Plan, looking specifically at small businesses. Without the input of an engaged and empowered small-business community, the UK risks failing to meet its binding emissions targets.”
He added: “The UK’s massive investment in energy infrastructure will come at a heavy price to customers, so it’s important that the benefits are fair and accessible for small businesses.
Poor investment planning could place the greatest cost burden on those that can least afford it and restrict new opportunities to a lucky few.
“Our research shows that small firms want energy security to be a priority. ‘Brexit’ raises yet more questions about the UK’s future power supply. Infrastructure costs must be shared out equitably, with small firms playing a pivotal role in securing Britain’s energy future.”