Italy-UK Partnership

IN FOCUS | 07 www.italchamind.eu THE TRANSPORT SECTOR At the end of June, the British Business Minister announced that the automotive sector would receive a £73.5m investment to develop green technologies and cut carbon emissions. Ten projects across the country will receive part of the funding to invest in electric cars (and cabs), vans, electric batteries and advanced electrical systems. This investment will also help the sector recover from the crisis deriving from the pandemic, and to rely less on fossil fuel technologies. Among the companies that will benefit from this plan, the London Electric Vehicle Company will develop more efficient electric cabs with higher performance capabilities, Jaguar Land Lover will create a new electronic system that will be lighter and cheaper and a prototype hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, while BMW will deliver cost-efficient powertrain. At the same time, the city of London is still working on the Walking Action Plan, which will see the capital become one the most “walkable” cities in the world. The project will contribute to pollution reduction. Traffic will be restricted, in order to convert some streets into pedestrian or cyclist lanes. Major Sadiq Khan and TfL recently unveiled the “London Streetspace” project, which will allow London’s air quality to improve, along with safety on the street. THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR 40% of the UK’s carbon footprint derives from the built environment. Heating results in 10% of the nation’s carbon footprint, which has already been reduced if compared to 1990, thanks to the latest insulation installations and decarbonisation of the grid of electricity. Newly constructed buildings, in fact, are more energy efficient, as assessed and certified by the Code for Sustainable Homes, a standard used to rate home buildings from 1 to 6, based on 9 sustainability criteria, where level 6 stands for a zero-carbon home. As the Government prepared the coronavirus recovery package, they were prompted by the CCC to invest in projects to cut emissions, upgrading homes ensuring they are fit for the future. A 2050-ready house has minimal energy use and net carbon emissions because it is highly insulated, with low water demand and is connected to a renewable energy system. Even though construction prices will increase, the benefits will be seen in the long term: homes will be comfortable, cheaper to run, and their owners will know they are contributing to tackle climate change. It also important to remember that the net zero industries will create new jobs for the thousands that were left unemployed following the pandemic. The number of “green jobs” that needs to be filled could be as much as half the unemployed population. The green energy agenda still needs to be at the heart of the economic recovery and only by doing so the UK can reach its 2050 goals, as investors are ready to be involved in green projects. Even though the emissions declined during the lockdown months, this will be not enough unless the right policies and measures are put in place. ·