REA outlines five manifesto pledges essential to achieving Net Zero

In advance of the upcoming election, the REA is urging all political parties to adopt five manifesto pledges or risk missing the UK’s legally binding Net Zero targets.

With a recent poll finding that the votes of over half of the public will be influenced by climate change, and a number of current and prospective MPs dubbing this election as the ‘Climate Change’ election, all eyes are on the green credentials of the imminent party manifestos.

The REA wants the next Government to unleash the full potential of the clean energy transition and has outlined five manifesto pledges, which are vital to decarbonising the economy and meeting our 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 5^th 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.

Dr Nina Skorupska CBE FEI, Chief Executive at the REA said:

“Over the past few years and in particular the past few months, the publics focus has well and truly shifted from that of Brexit to the climate crisis. Political parties and MPs have declared a climate emergency but with little action taken – this has to go beyond rhetoric, it is do or die.

“If our manifesto calls are enacted, the next Government will lead the way to a decarbonised economy, built on renewables and clean technologies.  

“The time is already ticking when it comes to achieving our Net Zero targets and the policies made in the next five years will be the decider on whether we get there. If political parties’ are serious about climate change and committed to our targets, we expect to see these pledges in their manifestos as a minimum.”

—ENDS—

For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Hayley Allen

External Affairs Officer

+44 (0)20 7981 0862
[email protected]

Notes to Editors

• 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 Renewable Energy Association (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