Post: Tackling energy crises requires keeping UK on track for net zero

Tackling energy crises requires keeping UK on track for net zero

In addition to the immediate support provided to households and businesses to cope with high energy costs, it is essential that the government responds to the current crisis by improving the long-term resilience of the UK’s energy system to ensure the UK is less exposed to geopolitical risks and volatile fossil fuel prices, the Aldersgate Group has said

In its The Green Line: A Route Out of Crisis and Towards Prosperity manifesto, published on 22 September, the group considers how the UK can build a globally competitive low carbon economy that is far more resilient to extreme weather events driven by climate change. It outlines priority recommendations for the next two years in areas including energy efficiency, energy supply, electricity market reform, nature restoration and climate adaptation, resource efficiency, green finance, skills, trade and climate diplomacy.

To boost energy security and ensure lower bills over the longer term, the manifesto calls on the government to pursue a twin track approach of reducing dependence on fossil fuels through accelerated investment in renewables and lowering energy demand across the economy through a nationwide energy efficiency retrofit programme.

According to the manifesto, the economic benefits of pursuing this strategy are clear – in 2021, renewables generated just under 40% of the electricity in the UK, with 29% coming from wind and solar. This displaced around £6.1B worth of gas. With the cost of renewables falling with greater levels of deployment, they provide the UK with a key opportunity to bolster energy security in a cost-effective way.

It also noted that benefits go beyond the energy sector. In 2020, businesses in low carbon sectors generated £41.2B in turnover, directly employing 207,800 full-time equivalent employees and rising to half a million when people employed in associated supply chains are included. Low carbon investment is also helping to level up the country, with jobs in sectors like offshore wind, low carbon hydrogen, and EV charge point installation distributed across the UK. By continuing to develop supportive low carbon policies across key industrial sectors under the Net Zero Strategy, the government could significantly increase these economic benefits.

GridBeyond Managing Director UK and Ireland Mark Davis said: