This week’s eye-catching numbers relate to a ‘perception gap’ on climate policies; plans for supply chain net-zero engagement among brewers and hospitality operators; a record auction for UK offshore wind; and a dire warning should the UK Government fail to act on business rate bills.
80%. MPs typically underestimate public support for climate policies, according to new research from the University of Cambridge. The study surveyed MPs and members of the public to uncover the ‘perception gap’ between how politicians believed the public would respond to certain policies and the actual response. Around 80% of MPs underestimated public support pointing to systematic bias. For example, MPs believed only 24% of people would back a red meat tax, despite the actual proportion standing at 42%.
50%. Half of Zero Carbon Forum members are putting in place a supplier engagement plan this year in order to tackle supply chain emissions. The forum’s newly published 5-year review of progress towards net-zero found scope 3 emissions have fallen by just 2% since 2020. Alongside 50% of members who plan to engage suppliers, 32% say they are sourcing regenerative produce and 78% are measuring and reporting food waste.
8.4GW. The UK Government awarded contracts to build a record 8.4 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind in its latest auction. Ministers want to achieve at least 43GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 to help meet the government’s clean power target. Current capacity stands at 16.6GW, with a further 11.7GW under construction. The newly secured 8.4GW just about keeps the offshore wind target in reach, analysts have told the BBC.
2,076. A total of 2,076 outlets, including 963 restaurants, 574 hotels and 540 pubs, are at risk of closure if the government doesn’t introduce a hospitality-wide solution to avert significant business rates increases in April. That’s according to UKHospitality which is calling for an increase in the business rates discount for hospitality properties from 5p to 20p, the maximum permitted in law.
