- 2. Government agenda
Understanding the government’s mission-led carbon agenda
“This is hard, but it can be done” was the central message regarding decarbonisation delivered by Ryan McLaughlin, who is director of net zero strategy at the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), in his keynote address. He told the audience that Carbon Crunch had helped move the dial on carbon across the industry, helping people like him push for more ambitious solutions to problems and showcasing the leading business actions which inspires others. Nonetheless, he explained that further work is needed and must be guided by targets which are “bold and challenge the status quo, but within the bounds of reality”.
Ryan’s role, and that of the team he leads, is to advise the secretary of state for DESNZ Ed Milliband on overall strategy for climate change, and policies and proposals to support that. From that experience he spoke about optimism and opportunity ahead but he also warned that tackling the challenges ahead was vital as “there is no sustainable growth without decarbonisation”.
This keynote address was delivered just months after the UK’s new Labour government was elected and Ryan discussed the effect the new mission-led approach was having on decarbonisation and success achieved so far.
Ryan said: “The feel in government at the moment is exciting, there is genuine momentum and you can feel the energy in the department every day. That enthusiasm comes from a really clear signal from the prime minister down. His clean energy super power mission is being translated into action. We have lifted the ban on onshore wind in England, consented a large amount of solar projects, delivered the most successful renewable auction in British history and established new institutions like Great British Energy and the National Wealth Fund.
“Taking action on climate and acceleration to net zero is at the heart of government.
“This drive for action is infectious but it is coupled with a sense of responsibility for the need to make progress more quickly. With every passing week, global warming is damaging lives around the world, nature and the economy. We must do things differently.”
The sprint for the clean power opportunity
“Not only that, more and more people are realising that the sprint for clean energy is a huge economic industrial opportunity for our country. It is the chance to generate hundreds of thousands of new jobs and demonstrate our climate leadership around the world. It will increase energy security, protect family finances, create new jobs and tackle the climate crisis.
“But there is so much more to the transition than just clean power though. More than three quarters of the emissions we need to remove from the atmosphere are expected to come from other sectors. The rate of reduction outside of electricity supply needs to be accelerated – we need to remove 14MtCO2e a year for the next seven years to meet our CO2 target. This won’t be easy. Delivering this will need the effort of businesses up and down the country, including the drive and passion of people in the infrastructure and construction industry.
“But we can do it. There are reasons to be optimistic about it too – we have met every carbon budget to date.”
Decarbonisation does not mean deindustrialisation
Ryan explains that acceleration towards net zero has already delivered more than just decarbonisation but that there are further benefits to come which will drive growth, improve physical and mental health outcomes and deliver warmer homes.
“If we get this right, by 2035 all new cars and vans will be zero emissions at the tail pipe, we will increase biodiversity by planting 350,000ha of trees, millions of homes will have been upgraded with energy efficiency measures to help reduce the number of homes in fuel poverty and we will have secured the future of British industry and jobs by switching to cleaner fuels and decarbonising power-,” he said.
“It's an enormous challenge but what has become abundantly clear over the last few years is the scale of the opportunities.
There is no sustainable growth without decarbonisation.
Decarbonisation is an opportunity but also a requirement for long term sustainable economic growth. However, we must be clear that decarbonisation does not mean deindustrialisation.”
Ryan concluded by adding that the new government has led the way and set out a leadership position on climate action but it is just the start. “It is essential that we all get on the electric or hydrogen bus and be part of that journey,” he said. “We can have government plans, individual businesses can have plans, but no business or industry can do it alone.”
