The UK government published its new "carbon budget and growth delivery plan" Wednesday, doubling down on commitments to eliminate fossil fuels from electricity supply by 2030 and drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2037. The plan comes after intense political pressure from Reform UK and Conservatives to abandon net zero policies they label "expensive."
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband championed the strategy as an economic driver. "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," he said.
The plan includes practical measures like empowering renters to demand electric vehicle charging access from landlords and offering energy cost discounts to industry. Heat pumps remain the primary low-carbon heating solution, though the government ruled out banning gas boilers. The strategy also requires new covered car parks to include charging points.
Mixed Reception
Environmental groups largely welcomed the plan while stressing the need for climate action to benefit ordinary people. Shaun Spiers from Green Alliance said: "The Government's new climate plan shows real leadership. It rightly positions Britain at the forefront of the clean technology revolution that will lower bills, create new jobs and protect UK energy security."
Conservative critics attacked the approach as counterproductive. Sam Hall from the Conservative Environment Network argued: "The ideological GB Energy and the unnecessary 2030 clean power mission will simply waste public money, damage competition, and drive up electricity prices [...] undermining electrification and climate action as a whole." He criticized delays to the Warm Homes Plan as showing "the Government is not serious about electrifying heating and tackling sky-high energy bills."
The publication fulfills a legal requirement after the High Court ruled last year that the previous Conservative government's climate plan was unlawful due to insufficient evidence for meeting binding climate targets. Environmental groups ClientEarth and Friends of the Earth successfully brought that legal challenge.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
