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While visiting One New Change, Impact had a chance to chat with climate change minister Greg Barker.
Mr Barker has a crucial job within government. While efforts are made to spur private investment and grow the economy, it is Mr Barker’s job to ensure that growth is sustainable and that climate change doesn’t fall from anyone’s agenda. And he is clear about the task ahead.
“This sort of thing has to become the norm,” he said of Land Securities’ unique £4 million hybrid ground source heating and cooling system. He had been invited to officially switch on the system that is the largest of its kind in Europe.
“Ever-rising energy prices mean we need renewables for our environmental and economic future,” he explained, going on to promise that he was working to secure a “decade of delivery”. He added that installations like this were “a tangible demonstration of what can be achieved.”
Mr Barker is pleased that a number of visionary companies are willing to lead the way. However, he makes clear that what is needed now is a “national movement” that can spread best practice across the public and private sectors for the benefit of all.
He is also animated about the new government’s role in that. In particular he stresses that this large task will require a lot of work to get things right for years ahead.
“We have to establish the long term financial incentivises and regulatory framework to make this happen,” said the minister. He was pleased to add that “this kind of technology will benefit from the Renewable Heat Incentive.”
The Renewable Heat Incentive is due to launch in June and is a big part of the government’s plans for generating investment in new technology. It will support the installation of biomass boilers, air source and ground source heat pumps, and solar thermal water heaters with £860 million of funding over four years.
But while money will support development, the minister is clear that there is more to this than finance.
He concluded our quick talk by saying: “It is vital to get company buy-in. Staff here at One New Change are part of the solution. Having engineering staff shows that this leadership is inspiring.”
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