The joint initiative between the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and The Prince of Wales’ Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change so far covers procurement requirements totalling £1bn in the fields of transport, catering and energy. Signatories include the Department for Energy and Climate Change, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Cabinet Office as well as major corporations such as BT, EDF Energy and Lloyds Banking Group.
In the transport compact, signatories call for low-emission vehicles that offer range and refuelling times comparable to conventional vehicles. In the catering compact, there is a commitment to purchasing progressively lower carbon catering goods and services, while in the renewable energy compact, it is recognised that biomethene has a key role to play in powering the nation.
“A green economy has economic as well as environmental benefits,” said business secretary Vince Cable. “It can help UK businesses manage risks arising from fluctuating fossil fuel prices and increase resilience, in particular from the impacts of climate change, and seize the opportunities from emerging markets”.
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