Labour must fight 'global network' undermining net zero, says Miliband

Labour is in a fight against a “global network of rightwing billionaires” who want to undermine net zero for their vested interests, Ed Miliband said yesterday.

- Jessica Elgot Deputy political editor

The energy secretary said the Tories and Reform UK were “importing a net zero culture war” and that accelerating the green transition would be key to winning the argument with the public.

“Genuinely, I relish this fight on clean energy and net zero. Because that is what politics is about,” he said.

Miliband is to revive a pledge from opposition that Labour will deliver a “green new deal” to tackle climate change and economic inequality.

He is expected to announce a target of creating 400,000 new jobs in clean energy, doubling jobs in the sector by 2030. It will include a number of priority jobs from engineers and researchers to welders, electricians and construction workers.

In his speech at the Labour conference tomorrow, Miliband will also promise to accelerate unionisation of the green energy sector, amid a backlash among trade unions on the drive to net zero, which they have said comes at the cost of well-paid unionised jobs in oil and gas.

Miliband said the fight against Reform meant showing how net zero would benefit ordinary people.