NIC should prioritise low-carbon transition

The National Infrastructure Commission should focus on long term planning to tackle the challenges the UK will face in future decades. A recent CBI paper has called on the Commission to remove its focus from politics.

In the report, named Plotting the Course, the UK’s largest business group outlines eight key areas the Commission should prioritize. These include:

1. Delivering a secure, diverse low- carbon energy supply.

2. Preparations for the roll-out of 5g mobile connectivity.

3. Ensuring the impact of climate change is factored in to the plan for water supplies and flood defences.

4. Devising creative solutions to meet the future growing demand on the UK’s roads, rails and ports.

Rhian Kelly, CBI Business Environment Director, said:

“The National Infrastructure Commission gives the UK the perfect opportunity to carefully and strategically plot the course of its long-term infrastructure needs. It allows both Government and business to plan now for the challenges that the decades to come will bring, like the effects of climate change and increased demand on our infrastructure.” “With a strong Commission, we can deliver the projects – from upgrading our digital connectivity to boost productivity, to investing in new energy sources for a low-carbon economy – that will enable firms up and down the country to get on with growing our economy and creating jobs for the long-run. For this to happen though, it’s vital the Commission is not blown off course by politics. This independent body must be given strong teeth by politicians so that it can recommend significant infrastructure decisions, like building a new runway in the South East, are made for the future benefit of all.” The following proposals were made:

1. The UK needs to be able to extract and store energy from a wider range of sources and to develop new and innovative technologies for energy generation and supply.

2. A greater move to electricity is needed in the move for low-carbon economy.

3. Increased capacity for top rail priority for 90% of businesses.

4. A long term solution for road upgrades and maintenance as 90% of journeys are made on the road.

5. Continued development of mobile coverage and the roll out of 5G technology over the next ten years.

6. Continued investment in flood defences as the number of properties at risk of flooding is set to rise to 2.1 million by 2050.