Policy direction

Key policy developments that will influence this agenda include:

Zero waste’, a policy introduced by the previous government which aimed to halve the amount of waste going to landfill by 2020, and also proposed legislation to ban the land-filling of biodegradable or recyclable materials.  Achieving a ‘zero waste economy’ continues to be a priority for the new coalition government, and will be the focus of its current review of waste policies.

The forthcoming Energy Security and Green Economy Bill proposes a national programme of energy efficiency measures, which are outlined in the latest Annual Energy Statement:

  • A “Green Deal” for homes and businesses.  Energy efficiency measures are to be delivered through ‘pay as you save’ schemes whereby energy companies pay for the work up front and householders pay back the money over time on their energy bills, through the savings they make.
  • Plans to deliver a smart meter to every home and develop a smart grid to ‘revolutionise’ the management of supply and demand for electricity
  • The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) scheme will be extended to 2012, and restructured to drive insulation measures to 3.5 million households. A ‘super priority’ group will also be introduced to ensure that the poorest, most vulnerable households benefit from the scheme.

DECC has also indicated that the bill will enable the creation of a Green Investment Bank to support low carbon projects, and contain measures to support community-owned renewable energy schemes, and sustainable travel initiatives (including cycling and walking).