The Green Investment Bank

HC 505, Second Report of Session 2010-11 - Volume I: Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence

Author:

House of Commons - Environmental Audit Committee

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

Price: £22.00

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'The Green Investment Bank (HC 505)' warns that the UK could lose out on hundreds of billions of pounds of vital investment in green energy projects if the Government waters down its plans for a Green Investment Bank.

The Coalition Agreement promised to establish a Green Investment Bank and the Chancellor pledged £1 billion to capitalise it in the Spending Review, plus unspecified proceeds from the sale of government assets.

But there have been reports of disagreement within Government as to whether it should be a fully fledged investment 'bank' able to borrow money and raise further capital or simply a 'fund'.

If the Office for National Statistics (ONS) classifies the Bank as 'public sector' its borrowing could appear on the Government's balance sheet and so undermine its deficit reduction strategy.

Evidence presented to the Environmental Audit Committee by energy companies, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and financial institutions suggests that between £200 billion and £1 trillion of private sector investment is needed over the next 10-20 years if the UK is to meet its climate change and renewable energy targets.

But traditional sources of private sector capital are only likely to deliver £50-£80 billion of investment in green infrastructure by 2025 - leaving the UK with a massive investment shortfall.

The report argues that establishing a proper Investment Bank is crucial in order to lever in the unprecedented levels of private sector investment needed. The Committee concludes that, as a priority, the Bank should concentrate on new fledgling environmental investment where the market has yet to be established.

Extent	219 pages	ISBN	9780215556813
Size	A4	Price	£22.00
Format	Paperback	Published	11 Mar 2011
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges