ARCHIVE: Moving to a low carbon economy

UK Low Carbon Transition Plan sets out the policies which will drive the move to a low carbon economy and enable us to meet our first three carbon budgets.

The UK Low Carbon Industrial Strategy (LCIS), published alongside the Transition Plan, sets out a series of active government interventions to support industries critical to tackling climate change. It puts workers and businesses in the UK at the forefront of this massive global opportunity by targeting key industries and regions where the UK has a comparative advantage, including offshore wind, marine power and carbon, capture and storage.

The government is supporting this strategy with real investment: Budget 2009 set out major new funding to support the move to a low carbon economy – including £405 million to help establish the UK as a market leader in low carbon technology and advanced green manufacturing in the next two years, on top of existing Environmental Transformation Fund. A further £150 million was announced in PBR 2009 for a total of £555 million.

The UK LCIS also provides for creation of new Low Carbon Economic Areas (LCEAS), to provide regional leadership for key industries and skills, and help address issues of regional equity in the transition. Eight LCEAs have been announced to date:

  • South West (marine technology)
  • London (Energy Efficient Buildings)
  • North East (low carbon vehicles)
  • Yorkshire & Humber (Carbon Capture and Storage)
  • North West and Yorkshire (civil nuclear supply chain)
  • Greater Manchester (built environment)
  • Midlands (advanced automotive)
  • Wales (hydrogen). 

Action from business is central to delivering our ambitious climate change targets and making the transition to a low-carbon Britain. Initiatives in place to provide information, advice and support to help businesses take action to reduce their carbon emissions, include those provided by the Carbon Trust.

Page last modified: 23 March 2010
Page published: 23 March 2010