Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (): Accelerating to net zero offers huge opportunities
for Britain. This transition will be one of the economic
opportunities of the century – a chance to create hundreds of
thousands of good jobs, to drive investment into all parts of the
UK, and protect the UK economy from future price shocks that
reliance on fossil fuels create. Beyond growth and energy
security, the transition to a net zero economy can deliver a
range of social and health benefits for people right across the
UK. As we act on how we heat our homes and buildings, fuel our
transport, and protect our natural world, we can cut fuel
poverty, clean up our air, increase access to nature and improve
quality of life.
Looking beyond the UK, we also have an important role to play.
For example, the UK was the first country to set legally binding
carbon budgets and the first major economy to establish a net
zero target in law. Now, more than 90% of the world's economy is
covered by a net zero commitment. The UK showed leadership again
at COP29, where we announced that our 2035 Nationally Determined
Contribution (NDC) headline target will reduce all greenhouse gas
emissions by at least 81% on 1990 levels, excluding international
aviation and shipping emissions. This is an ambitious,
economy-wide emission reduction target that aligns with the
recommendation of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) and carbon
budget 6 set by the previous government.
The CCC's 2024 Progress Report to Parliament made clear its view
that the previous government was off track and urgent action is
needed, and we take these findings seriously. That is why we are
taking urgent and ambitious action and why making Britain a clean
energy superpower is one of the five missions of this Government.
In response to the CCC's 2024 Progress Report, today's
publication highlights the achievements that this Government has
overseen already and looks forward to upcoming actions that will
be key in reducing our emissions and seizing on the economic
opportunities of net zero.
For example, in our first few months in office, we have lifted
the de facto onshore wind ban, approved solar projects offering
power of almost 2GW, launched Great British Energy, announced
investments of over £20bn in CCUS, a new industry for Britain,
delivered a record-breaking renewables auction, and set out plans
to increase the energy efficiency of rented homes to lift a
million households out of fuel poverty.
The action taken so far and our future plans mean that this
Government is acting or partially acting on all of the CCC's 35
recommendations to UK Government, with progress proactively being
made on the CCC's 35 recommendations for the Devolved
Governments.
This is just the beginning. Over the coming months we will set
out the next steps for our mission, including publishing a Clean
Power 2030 Action Plan, setting out a detailed updated plan to
meet our carbon budgets, and setting the pathway to Carbon Budget
7 by June 2026. These future moments will be key in delivering
our pathway to net zero, bolstering growth and clean jobs,
ensuring energy security, and delivering social and health
benefits.
Through mission-driven government we will act with much greater
urgency and determination than the past. We will continue to work
in partnership with businesses, trade unions, civil society and
all levels of government to seize the opportunities of action.
As required by the Climate Change Act 2008, I will place copies
of today's publication Accelerating to Net Zero: Responding to
the CCC Progress Report and delivering the Clean Energy
Superpower Mission in the Libraries of the House.
