“The REA would like to congratulate the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Conservative party on the general election result.
The climate emergency is the biggest challenge that we face and this is the pivotal moment. The new Government must now implement credible policy to decarbonise the economy in line with our Net Zero targets.
We welcome the Conservatives commitment to achieve Net Zero targets, as set out in their manifesto.
However, to achieve this, the new Government must be more ambitious and commit to wholesale systems change across energy, in particular for transport and waste, required to unleash the full potential of renewable energy and clean technology.
The REA looks forward to working with the new Government to ensure that renewable energy and clean technology is at the heart of the UK Net Zero ambitions.”
—ENDS—
For more information or to request an interview, please contact :
Amy MacConnachie
Head of External Affairs
07903510060
Notes to Editor
Ahead of the election the REA called on all political parties to adopt five manifesto pledges or risk missing the UK’s legally binding Net Zero targets.
1. Ensure that the funding, integrated planning and delivery of the wholesale systems change that’s needed to decarbonise the economy sits with No 10 and the Cabinet Office. An independent body with strong enforcement capabilities should be appointed to ensure the Government produces policy that supports decarbonisation in line with the Carbon Budgets and advice of the Committee on Climate Change.
2. Ensure that renewable energy and clean technology are central to a Net Zero Treasury test, as set by Committee on Climate Change and enforced by an independent body, for Government funding; and that the Treasury implements a more effective taxation system that incentivises these technologies instead of fossil fuels.
3. Reform Ofgem, in part by including decarbonisation as a central mandate, alongside consumer protection, and ensure that energy network operators are sufficiently incentivised to modernise the energy systems so that they can deliver a major expansion of renewable energy generation capacity and meet the 5th Carbon Budget.
4. Help local authorities to reach Net Zero by providing ring-fenced funding for measuring and reporting on progress on the number of zero-carbon buildings, energy efficiency, effective waste management, decarbonising transport fleets while valuing soil quality and natural capital.
5. Deliver a just transition by developing a workforce strategy that supports the renewable energy and clean technology sector to provide high-quality skilled jobs for existing fossil fuel sector workers transitioning to the new economy, and future workers, across the UK
The REA’s more detailed policy asks on how to implement the above can be found here:https://www.r-e-a.net/resources/rea-2019-election-manifesto/
About the REA
The REA is the UK’s largest trade association for renewable energy and clean technologies with around 550 members operating across heat, transport, and power. The REA is a not-for-profit organisation that represents renewable energy and clean technology companies operating in over fourteen sectors, ranging from biogas and renewable fuels to solar and electric vehicle charging. Membership ranges from major multinationals to sole traders.
For more information, visit: www.r-e-a.net