Green power groups have urged Boris Johnson not to let progress on decarbonisation slip amidst the wider pressures bearing down on his new administration.
Commenting in the wake of yesterday’s Conservative leadership election announcement, Renewable Energy Association chief executive Nina Skorupska said the new Prime Minister has “a lot of work ahead of him”.
However, she warned that other pressing issues like Brexit should not impede the government’s push to reach the net zero target by 2050, which was signed into law last month.
“It is crucial that the UK’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 does not slip. In order to achieve our legally binding targets and rectify the policy gap highlighted in the Committee on Climate Change’s recent progress report, far-reaching, long-term policy must be at the core of the new prime minister’s agenda.”
Skorupska said the rash of energy consultations, published this week by the government is “another step towards achieving our targets”
But, she urged the new administration to take this further by additional measures including the growth of interoperable public EV charging networks, future support for renewable heat, and providing a route to market for the cheapest renewable power technologies.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with him and his new cabinet to advance renewables and clean technologies and grow UK economy.”
Hugh McNeal, chief executive of RenewableUK, urged the new prime minister to embrace onshore wind. He said: “We look forward to working with the new prime minister to achieve our world-leading net-zero target and hope that he will continue to be a champion for the UK’s offshore wind sector, as he was in his campaign.
“The new government must take action to put us on course to reach net-zero emissions by establishing a new strategy for onshore wind and support for our innovative renewable technologies like floating wind, wave and tidal stream.
“Building on the landmark Offshore Wind Sector Deal agreed by industry and ministers earlier this year, the new government has a golden opportunity to further capitalise on the opportunities offered by low carbon technology for the UK economy”.