Can the government's latest initiative, the Innovation and Growth Team, succeed where so many have failed? We report on another attempt to kick start the UK's energy and environment industry
Last month saw Lord Sainsbury launch the government's latest attempt to give the UK's energy and environment industry a kick up the backside.

The Innovation and Growth Team (IGT) is a DTI-funded initiative that brings together some of the industry's leading figures in a bid to increase the competitiveness of the UK's environmental goods and services industry, at home and abroad. It will be split into four teams, each with its own advisory committee and agenda.

Another month, another government strategy unit, springs to mind. Okay, so admittedly this may be a little unfair – especially as the project has not even had a chance to do anything yet. At the same time, though, it is easy to be sceptical as it is no exaggeration to say that we seem to have more think tanks, task forces, strategy units, and delivery teams than we know what to do with.

This latest project aims to ensure the UK's energy and environmental industries are truly competitive on a global scale. It aims to devise an action plan to build the long-term competitiveness of the industry. Such actions could include changing policies which influence demand.

But will it really make a difference?

Apparently a fundamental part of the Team's strategy is to put pressure on companies to adopt environmental good practice. This is something that leading consultants have been trying to achieve for some time, and with mixed results. It is true to say there are clients who are willing to listen, and even invest in green technology, but there are also still a great deal who simply don't see the point.

So what makes the IGT believe it is any different? What makes it think it can succeed where so many have struggled. Terry Wyatt, head of research and development at Hoare Lea says: "I'm not sure at all that this latest initiative will make any difference. It says it will put pressure on companies, but how will it? The only way I see the IGT can have any affect is by pressuring the pensions and funding companies. When these companies invest in buildings they need to make sure it is a good investment, so if they can be convinced to only go for environmentally friendly buildings then it may work. Something they must consider is building labelling, which would make a difference."

As the scheme develops there are to be a number of smaller contact and consultation groups, involving all areas of industry, with a view to ensuring all objectives are met. As the Team's main objective is to increase competitiveness at home and abroad, does this mean it will be consulting with other countries with more successful environmental strategies, for example Denmark?

It seems obvious that if we are to become competitive abroad we need to learn from other countries. Wyatt agrees: "The IGT must look at what's going on abroad and learn from this. Some countries have managed to base their economies around their environmental strategy, and we should be looking to do the same."

Only time will tell if the IGT will succeed. Time, on the other hand, is running out for this government to prove it has made significant inroads into creating a better environment. Will this latest attempt be the one that makes the difference? Tick, tick, tick…