The government has pledged to deliver ‘well-functioning markets for secondary materials’ in a green paper outlining its Industrial Strategy for the UK.
Launched by Prime Minister Theresa May today (23 January), the ‘Building Our Industrial Strategy’ paper also promises to consult businesses on how government can support them in achieving cost savings through ‘greater resource and energy efficiency’.
Prime Minister Theresa May launched the government’s ‘post-Brexit’ Industrial Strategy at a meeting in Warrington today (23 January)
However the 132-page document provides no detail on how waste would feature in its plans for clean, low-carbon energy – focusing instead on offshore wind and nuclear power.
The government’s Industrial Strategy, which will be overseen by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Science (BEIS), was officially unveiled by Mrs May at a regional cabinet meeting in Warrington.
In her foreword, the Prime Minister confirms the Industrial Strategy is a ‘critical part’ of the government’s plan for ‘post-Brexit Britain’ and will see ministers take on a ‘new, active role’ rather than ‘leaving businesses to get on with the job’.
‘Pillars’
The Strategy is founded on ’10 pillars’ which the government’s evidence shows will drive growth in UK business – as well as ‘sector deals’ to boost growth in certain areas – such as automotive batteries.
The Strategy’s waste ambitions fall under the ‘Delivering affordable energy and clean growth’ objective. It states: “Increasing the efficiency of material use across the whole supply chain can deliver huge cost savings and improve the productivity of UK businesses.
“The government will work with stakeholders to explore opportunities to reduce raw material demand and waste in our energy and resource systems, and to promote well-functioning markets for secondary materials, and new disruptive business models that challenge inefficient practice.”
‘Building Our Industrial Strategy’ – the government’s green paper
The government adds that this work will be supported by its 25-year Environment Plan, which will set out a ‘long term’ vision for resource efficiency. The Plan is currently being prepared by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (see letsrecycle.com story).
Energy
The Strategy is less clear on energy from waste infrastructure, placing instead Siemens UK’s new offshore wind turbine centre at Hull and the Hinkley Point nuclear power station at the heart of its clean energy plans.
The paper also makes clear that while state support has played an ‘important role’ in markets for new technologies, these must now be delivered by a ‘competitive’ operating model.
ESA
Commenting on the Strategy launch, the Environmental Services Association’s executive director Jacob Hayler “welcomed” the government’s recognition of resource efficiency in growing the UK economy.
He said: “We look forward to working with Government both on this strategy and on Defra’s 25 Year Environmental Plan, to introduce policies which promote sustainable markets for secondary raw materials and which encourage investment in much-needed infrastructure to improve the way the UK’s wastes are turned into productive resources and energy.”
Suez
David Palmer-Jones, chief executive of waste management business Suez, said the business would concentrate its investment power into “transforming” UK recycling and recovery infrastructure in line with the Industrial Strategy.
“A modern industrial strategy heralds a modern strategy for the resources and waste management sector.”
David Palmer-Jones, chief executive
Suez
He added: “A modern industrial strategy heralds a modern strategy for the resources and waste management sector. We will work with Government to ensure waste is treated fully as a resource for both secondary raw materials and energy, so that we in the private sector can continue to invest in the long term infrastructure required to help transition the UK to a more fully circular economy, improving resource productivity.”
CIWM
Dr Colin Church, chief executive of the Chartered Institutions of Waste Management, also welcomed the government’s stance on innovation and science and its commitment to provide additional funding of £170 million towards technical education.
He said: “We welcome this Green Paper and look forward to working with government and our sector to shape it more fully. It is particularly encouraging to see resource productivity identified as important to the competitiveness and resilience of the UK economy.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
