Changeworks welcomes the UK Government’s renewed push to tackle the climate crisis and fuel poverty as set out in the recent King’s speech.
The King said his “Government recognises the urgency of the global climate challenge”, and that there is a commitment to “a clean energy transition which will lower energy bills for consumers over time.” We now need to see these climate policies come to fruition as soon as possible.
A core part of Labour’s plans is Great British Energy, a company that will invest in renewable energy, the headquarters of which will be in Scotland to support the transition from oil and gas. The confirmation of a new £7bn national wealth fund to invest in clean energy will be a driving force in the UK being a world leader once again on the path to net zero.
Further cause for optimism is the creation of the Mission Control for Clean Power, being led by Chris Stark, former head of the UK’s Climate Change Committee. Stark and his team have been tasked with “turbocharging” the Government’s mission to provide the UK with cheaper and clean power by 2030.
Josiah Lockhart, Changeworks’ Chief Executive, commented: “It’s encouraging to see the new UK Government set out decisive measures to ensure a just transition to net zero by 2050.
“The UK and Scotland has been in a stuck in a state of stasis in recent years, and despite continuous debate and countless consultations, targets have continued to be missed. We now need to see the plans set out in the King’s speech implemented by the UK Government.”