DNV GL, the world’s largest resource of independent energy experts and certification body, and WSP|Parsons Brinckerhoff, one of the world’s leading planning, engineering and program and construction management organisations, this month brought together representatives of the UK’s manufacturing sectors with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to discuss next steps towards a low carbon economy and a competitive industrial sector for the UK.
All eight of the UK’s industrial sectors – cement, ceramics, chemicals, food and drink, glass, iron and steel, oil refining and paper and pulp – were represented at the event, which brought together trade bodies, academia, trade unions, government and EU representatives for the first time since the UK general election in May 2015.
The event secured broad consensus in a number of key areas including:
- The need for the UK to focus on both short-term energy efficiency improvements as well as technology innovation that will help achieve long-term step changes for the industry
- A credible financial model for carbon capture must be developed if it is to fulfil its potentially pivotal role in helping UK industry achieve decarbonisation targets
- Action needs to be taken now in order to bring demonstration sites to the UK both from Government and Industry
Ulrika Wising, Head of Section – Sustainable Energy Use Europe, DNV GL commented:
“It was very encouraging to see all parties come together with a commitment to develop an action plan that will take us towards a competitive and decarbonised UK industry. It is vital to balance the drive towards decarbonisation with the need for the UK’s industrial sectors to be able to compete effectively in a global economy.”
Paul Noble, WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff’s industry sector lead said:
“As the future of the industry remains unpredictable, the need for roadmaps to be built quickly becomes more urgent. The challenge faced by both energy intensive industry and the new UK government is to steer a path to support and retain these critical industries whilst simultaneously delivering concrete steps to develop new, innovative technologies, processes and products. This will enable the industrial sectors to deliver significant carbon reduction as well as providing business growth opportunities.”
In 2013, WSP|Parsons Brinckerhoff and DNV GL were commissioned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to produce a series of sector-specific reports for the UK’s industrial sectors to draw together conclusions from the evidence and pathways analysis to identify potential ways that progress could be made to help enable transition towards a low carbon economy with a competitive industrial sector.
All enquiries, please contact:
Ulrika Wising
E-mail: ulrika.wising@dnvgl.com
Tel: +44 20 7716 6567