LONG BEACH, Calif. – The British Government and business leaders discussed the economic and environmental benefits of the U.K.’s Green Deal—the no-cost-down program to retrofit 26 million British homes and businesses—during a Renewable Energy World 2012 conference panel. The panel focused on how government policies act as core drivers to develop a clean energy economy and spur global business opportunities.
The U.K. has set a national goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Considering that a quarter of the U.K.’s emissions come from the energy used in homes, the British government launched the Green Deal to enable consumers to invest in energy efficiency measures and technologies at no upfront cost. Consumers repay the costs associated with the retrofits through the money saved on future energy bills
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The U.S. is the largest market in the world for low-carbon environmental goods and services—both as suppliers and consumers. That is why U.S. businesses engaged in green building and energy efficiency services and products are expected to become important partners as Great Britain prepares to launch the Green Deal in October.
U.K. Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the British Government Department that helps U.K.-based companies succeed in the global economy.