The last six months have not been very kind to the environment and climate change.  A recession which now seems all but inevitable in the UK, is distracting the support in Government and business for sustainable causes.  The upfront cost of a sustainable cause is now an impediment to its implementation and the support from Government to secure changes is evaporating as money to fnd programmes is lost in deficits.

The UK Government is backing tracking fast on car and fuel taxes, it is cutting its support for organisations like CENEX and the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership and with the debate about food costs, biofuels are now on the back foot.  The outlook is indeed murky but the challenges facing the environment and climate change remain.

Gordon Brown has belatedly called for a reduction in consumption and waste to reduce carbon foot prints.

  That has been long advocated by commentators in the industry including this website.  It is a sign that the agenda for climate might be slipping in his mind.  The Government needs to restate its credentials and lead on the debate.  Business won't change for a leaderless cause, it will change with guidelines and incentives.  There are a number of things that need to be done urgently to support business in a toughening market around environment and climate change.  Much of it is about clear policy so that business can plan and adapt.  In certain areas the Government should make clear its preferences so that business can gear up.  Some areas to consider are feed in tariffs, a stated preference for low carbon automotive technology, a stated preference for sources of renewable energy, car and fuel taxes and an energy and carbon trading system.

Certainty in uncertain times on this issues will help businesss and it just might keep the agenda on sustainable business moving despite hardening times.