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Critics deride the new government climate strategy

  • Publish Date: Posted 12 months ago
  • Author: Steve Walia

​The government's 1,000-page climate strategy has been derided by critics who say it is half-hearted, half-baked and unlikely to lower bills, boost energy security or meet challenging climate goals. Academics and green groups believe that it is a missed opportunity that will fail to achieve the full benefits in any one area.

 

The plans are anticipated to provide the basis of the revised net-zero strategy, and many believe that they will also fall short of what's needed to achieve global climate targets. These targets are legally binding and failure to achieve them could result in court action.

 

Grant Shapps released the broad strategy, which includes actions for nuclear energy, carbon capture, offshore windfarms, home heat pumps, electric vehicles and hydrogen power. However, most of the detailed plans lack fresh funding and are based on existing commitments.

 

The Grantham Research Institute at the LSE said that the plan lacked appropriate investment, which would undermine confidence from the private investment sector and prevent Britain from taking a lead role in the race to become a green energy leader.

 

Joe Biden launched a green plan in the US last year worth $370 billion. The plan is designed to slash energy bills and boost private investment in clean, green energy solutions within the broader inflation reduction act. There are already concerns that the plan's huge subsidies could encourage UK-based entrepreneurs in clean energy to head to America.

 

Critics also said that the focus of the strategy should be on onshore wind and other ready and available technologies. Renewable UK also said that the plans weren't sufficient to attract sufficient investment.

 

With the government under mounting pressure to do more, all eyes will be on further announcements and the hope of bolder, broader measures to achieve genuine, meaningful environmental change.