Labour doubles down on green ambition with new climate plan

The UK Government has reaffirmed its commitment to climate action as it unveiled a major new plan outlining how the UK will meet its net-zero goals. Rebecca Speare-Cole reports

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RWE'S Gwynt y Mor, the world's second largest offshore wind farm located off the shore of north Wales

IN A so-called “carbon budget and growth delivery plan”, published this week, UK Government ministers outlined policies and measures aimed at reducing the country’s planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions.

Alongside its publication, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband doubled down on the government's mission to increase renewable energy capacity and cut emissions as a way of boosting the economy and reducing household bills.

It comes after the energy debate intensified in recent months, with the Conservatives and Reform UK pledging to ditch “expensive” net-zero policies and maximise extraction of oil and gas from the North Sea.

With the newly unveiled plan, the government recommitted to removing fossil fuels from the UK’s electricity supply by 2030 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2037 - after a spate of political pushback.

Mr Miliband said: “Over the last 16 months we have put clean energy and climate action at the heart of our government’s agenda - because we know it is the route to making the British people better off.

“This is about delivering better lives for people today - from warmer homes and cleaner air to cheaper transport and increased access to nature - as we tackle the climate and nature crises to protect our home for future generations.

“It would be negligent to leave our children and grandchildren to face energy insecurity and climate breakdown.”

The Energy Secretary argued that the plan will provide “clarity and certainty” to investors and businesses, helping to unlock the capital needed to create jobs and boost growth, and will strengthen the UK’s position as an international climate leader.

Most of the carbon budget delivery plan unveiled on Wednesday features policies that are not new.