In order to get anywhere near the ambitious GHG emission reduction targets, there needs to be a decoupling of economic growth and, in particular, energy consumption. There is intense political and policy debate surrounding the potential of the low carbon economy, with views ranging from those that argue that the competitiveness of major industries will be destroyed, to those that argue that the low carbon economy will be the next driver of economic prosperity for the national economy. Major drivers for change include globalisation, the growing complexity of global supply chains, growth and consolidation of finance and business services in central locations, de-industrialisation and restructuring of manufacturing, growth and decentralisation of retail and community services, massive growth in information and communications technologies and associated e-business. These forces, underpinned by policies such as trade liberalisation, resulted in major structural industry change.