Press Release 24 March 2011

CIWM response to the Budget 2011

Focus on growth welcome but the green economy has yet to take shape

The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) applauds the Government's intention to deliver growth. The UK sustainable waste and resource management industry is growing fast and has an important contribution to make to economic growth, both through its role in improving our resource efficiency and energy security and by creating green jobs. The sector is expected to almost double its workforce by 2017 in recycling alone¹ and invest between £10 and £20 billion in new infrastructure and services in the next decade.

There are still many barriers to growth for this sector that need to be addressed, however, and CIWM looks forward to working with Government to ensure that sustainable waste and resource management is plugged into all the right areas of Government policy - resources, energy, carbon and the economy - to deliver the maximum environmental and economic benefit for the UK.

CIWM welcomes the extra funding for the Green Investment Bank and the power, albeit delayed, for the bank to borrow, but this still feels like a Government tinkering around the edges of genuine green economic growth. Supporting low carbon investment is essential and while a carbon price floor for energy generation sends out a positive signal, we are still a long way from having a robust and integrated framework for the future. We are keen to see more detailed thinking in the proposed Green Economy Roadmap due out later this year.

The Chancellor's measures to speed up planning are very welcome, as this is an area that many in the industry identify as a major obstacle to developing the necessary infrastructure to derive value from our waste in the future. We remain concerned, however, about the potential tension between local planning priorities and more strategic environmental and resource efficiency objectives at the regional and national level. Likewise, the presumption in favour of sustainable development is a helpful step, but only if accompanied by a robust and detailed definition of 'sustainable development' that takes full account of our resource use and shuts the door on potential abuse of this loophole.

If green growth is truly a priority for the Government, CIWM believes there is a lot more work to be done to ensure that the role of this industry in helping to reinvigorate and decarbonise our economy is recognised and supported.

ENDS

1. The UK Waste Management and Recycling Industry 2010 Labour Market Investigation,
January 2011, Energy Utility Skills (http://www.euskills.co.uk/waste/)

Notes to Editors:

1. The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is the leading professional body for the waste management sector representing over 7000 individuals in the UK and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non profit-making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues.

2. Comprehensive information about CIWM can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk

Contacts:
Pat Jennings
Communications Office
Tel: 01604 620426
Mob: 07912 228260
E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk