Rob Lambe says less regulation would see policy inconsistences
A Willmott Dixon managing director and treasurer of the influential sustainable business body Aldersgate Group has warned a Brexit would damage sustainability policy and slash investment in greening the UK.
Speaking alongside senior academics at a panel discussion on the EU referendum, Willmott Dixon Energy Services managing director Rob Lambe (pictured) 鈥� who is also a director and treasurer of the Aldersgate Group 鈥� said a Brexit would create inconsistent policy and turn off investors.
He said: 鈥淚f industry is to take the lead [on sustainability], we need substantial investment and for that to happen there needs to be a long-term policy framework. There can鈥檛 be surprises, such as the recent zero carbon homes policy.
鈥淭ake EU regulation away, devolved authorities will create their own policies and there would be inconsistencies. That鈥檚 not good for business.鈥�
Lambe said that several companies are currently investing in the renewable energy industry in the UK and revealed: 鈥淚 was in a meeting with somebody this morning who was saying in the event of a Brexit their investment would likely be withdrawn.鈥�
He added: 鈥淸The EU] provides certainty in terms of a policy framework which isn鈥檛 there otherwise.鈥�
Academics speaking at the event praised the EU has being 鈥減ositive for the UK environment鈥� but Dr Robert Cohen, technical director at sustainability consultant Verco, criticised the EU鈥檚 main energy efficiency policy 鈥� the Energy Performance of 黑洞社区s Directive (EPBD) 鈥� as being ineffective and 鈥渄ishonest鈥�, though he said there鈥檚 鈥渘o evidence鈥� a Brexit would help.
EPBD requires all new buildings in the EU to be 鈥渘early zero energy buildings鈥� by 2021.
Speaking to 黑洞社区 last month, energy minister Andrea Leadsom defended the government鈥檚 decision to scrap zero carbon homes, citing the EPBD targets as evidence of the Tories鈥� commitment to sustainability.
Cohen said: 鈥淓PBD is focused on energy use of buildings, not activity. It also denies performance gaps. Its dishonest policy making in terms of climate change鈥� EU policy making is constrained by a one-size-fits-all approach.鈥�
But he added: 鈥淟eaving [the EU] would create uncertainty and undermine investor confidence just when our energy system needs it.
鈥淭he UK is not good at energy efficiency but there鈥檚 no evidence that leaving the EU would help.鈥�
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