PRIME minister Rishi Sunak has been accused by construction trade bodies of creating uncertainty for business following his announcement to delay energy efficient measures.
Following the PM’s net zero speech, Suneeta Johal, CEO of the CEA (Construction Equipment Association), said the industry has taken ‘significant leaps’ in embracing alternative fuels and pioneering electric machinery.
“Our prevailing agenda revolves around decarbonisation, with a clear vision directed toward achieving net zero emissions,” she added. “Members of the CEA have collectively poured millions into research and development, striving to be at the forefront of sustainable innovation. It’s both disheartening and frustrating when, after such substantial investment and progress, the metaphorical goalposts seem to shift, making it challenging for our members to plan and execute their long-term strategies with confidence.
“Such announcements create ambiguity in the construction equipment industry, especially in its endeavours to phase out diesel and transition to alternative energy sources. Every industry, including the construction equipment rental sector, holds a pivotal position in the transition to a greener future.
“Our members at the CEA are in pursuit of transparent and stable governmental policies, particularly those that have been in place for a while and influence pivotal investment choices, as well as the innovation of diesel-free solutions for construction machinery. Regrettably, the prime minister’s remarks don’t facilitate this mission and instill further uncertainty about future investments and the green transition for upcoming construction equipment fleets.”
Chris Cassley, policy manager of the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA), said, “The announcement by the prime minister adds confusion to the construction equipment sector on its efforts to remove diesel from sites and move towards alternative fuels. Like all business sectors, the construction plant-hire sector has a key role to play in decarbonisation.
“CPA members want clarity and consistency in government policy when it comes to long established policies that impact on investment decisions, and the development of new diesel free technologies in construction plant. The prime minister’s speech does nothing to help this process and further throws into doubt future investment decisions and efforts to decarbonise the construction plant fleets of the future.”
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) also expressed its disappointment at PM Rishi Sunak’s announcement on the scaling back of the UK’s net zero targets. The built environment body has long campaigned for a long-term national retrofit strategy.
Eddie Tuttle, director of policy, research and public affairs at CIOB, said, “Decarbonising homes and the wider built environment is vital to reach net zero so it’s disappointing to hear the prime minister scaling back energy efficiency targets and the commitments made in the Government’s own net zero growth plan published only six months ago, which refers to minimising reliance on fossil fuels. Energy consumption in buildings accounts for almost half of the UK’s carbon emissions so to de-prioritise this issue is baffling when the government should instead be finding ways to support homeowners to retrofit their properties and improve their energy efficiency for the lowest possible cost.”
