The Government must take resources and sustainability into account, says CIWM

The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has said it is “concerning” there was no reference to climate change in the Autumn Statement.

The organisation said although the Chancellor “rightly” focused on the economy, the Government must take resources and sustainability into account.

In an initial response, CIWM’s chief executive Dr Colin Church said: “Mr Hammond’s attention has been rightly focused today on setting a stable course for the economy in light of the current state of the UK’s finances and Brexit uncertainty, and the targeted funding support for innovation and infrastructure is welcome. However, CIWM is concerned that the Chancellor’s speech made no reference to climate change proofing future UK industry and infrastructure, or to any imperative for low carbon, ‘green’ growth. It is also disappointing that there was no more detail on the new industrial strategy.

Productivity is not just about how much we can ‘make’ but also about how we make it. Ultimately, sustainable growth is predicated on UK industry having access to a range of appropriate resources, and this includes the valuable secondary feedstock materials and energy products that the waste and resource management sector can deliver. It is to be hoped that somewhere in the emerging detail over the coming months, resource productivity will be clearly identified as one of the priorities, especially given the impact that volatile commodity markets and potential Brexit-related raw material price rises could have on UK plc.”

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