CMA

It is particularly interested in hearing about specific instances where businesses or consumers felt competition or consumer law impacted their ability to act sustainably

Companies will have until the New Year to ensure their environmental claims comply with the law

It is probing suspected breaches of competition law relating to the long term exclusive arrangements entered into by the Electric Highway Company – recently bought by GRIDSERVE – and Ecotricity Group

A new report from the CMA suggests action must be ramped up if the banned sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 is to go ahead

The appeals largely focus on the allowed return on investment and the way Ofgem calculated the costs the companies would spend on maintaining and investing in their networks over the next five years

The research found some websites were using ‘vague claims and unclear language’, including terms such as ‘eco’ or ‘sustainable’ or reference to ‘natural products’ without adequate explanation or evidence of the claims

The CMA believes it is important competition law does not become an ‘unnecessary obstacle’ to sustainable development and businesses are not deterred from taking part in lawful environmental initiatives

It is considering how to ensure the sector works well for consumers now and in the future, which will help to build trust in the service and address any competition issues

The CMA is concerned the surge in demand for green products and services could incentivise some businesses to make misleading, vague or false claims about the environmental impacts of their products

Last December, the regulator said water companies across England and Wales must cut their bills by 12% before 2025