Who in Labour gets climate and nature?
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Energy
Following the policy that powers the clean energy transition.
The latest on climate change and energy
New oil and gas is compatible with net zero
From Norway to the US, advanced economies are pursuing a two-pronged approach to climate goals. We will do the…
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Sustainability: Securing a green future
Expert analysis and comment from Claire Coutinho, Kerry McCarthy, Chris Stark and Michael Mann.
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How could Labour’s local power plan work?
Backed by £3.3bn in investment, how will the net zero energy generation mission actually work at local level?
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Crisis in the Middle East: What does it mean for the energy transition?
Geopolitical instability underlines the need to achieve energy security, but also makes investment more difficult.
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The Policy Ask with Christopher Hammond: “The government should scrap the effective ban on new onshore wind farms”
The chief executive of the local leaders’ network UK100 on net zero, climate conspiracy theories, and Teddy Roosevelt.
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The Research Brief: UK housing cannot cope with hotter summers
Your weekly dose of policy thinking.
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More money isn’t the key to clean power by 2030
Labour's plans for decarbonising the grid rely on private finance and planning reform, not just public investment.
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Why a National Skilling Wage is the route to net zero
The UK needs to start training its workers again.
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How Labour hopes to make the UK a leader in green energy
At a roundtable, policymakers and experts discussed how a Labour government might deliver on its net-zero agenda.
Iceland’s energy triumph holds lessons for Britain
Firm power can reduce the UK’s electricity prices, as it does in the Nordic island state.
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New gas power plants won’t bring us energy security
Continued reliance on imported fossil fuels weakens our national resilience and makes us even more vulnerable to price shocks.
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“Austerity has returned”: The expert verdict on Jeremy Hunt’s Budget
Reactions to the Chancellor’s plans for the economy.
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The government must stand firm on heat pumps
Ahead of the Budget, the government has come under pressure to scrap the clean heat market mechanism. But to…
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The Policy Ask with Lucy Yu: “It shouldn’t cost more for a household to run a heat pump than a boiler”
The CEO of the Centre for Net Zero on the UK’s approach to AI, scrapping the heat pump tax,…
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So long, £28bn: Can Labour achieve “green prosperity” without its headline pledge?
Keir Starmer is finally dropping the party's flagship investment policy. But how important is a number?
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If Donald Trump wins, he’ll control Europe’s gas
US liquefied natural gas exports kept the lights on when Europe stopped importing the fuel from Russia.
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The Parliament Brief: are new oil and gas licences really a “good idea”?
The energy minister Graham Stuart was questioned on the government’s approach to fossil fuels and whether flying 3,500 miles…
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The problem with heat pumps
Heat pumps have been the norm in Sweden for 40 years. Why haven’t they had the same success in…
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We need long-term investment in critical national infrastructure
From the UK’s energy grid to its waterways and transport systems, the government must make concrete plans for steady…
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What will 2024 bring for the net zero transition?
The stakes are high, especially for the climate, in a bumper election year for the world’s ailing democracies.
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Why Michael Gove’s planning reforms won’t deliver sustainable housing
The Housing Secretary’s new planning framework for England does little to encourage net zero development.
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Chris Skidmore: Net zero climb-down sacrifices Britain’s climate leadership for short-term gain
The Prime Minister has damaged the UK’s credibility, but local leaders now have the opportunity to show the way.
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The Policy Ask with Mat Ilic: “We need retrofit subsidies to lower bills and reduce emissions”
The co-founder of the green skills start-up Greenworkx on energy efficiency, Barack Obama and the Online Safety Act.
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The challenges – and opportunities – of developing renewables at scale
Investors have a role to play in supporting the transition away from fossil fuels.
The best Spotlight policy comment of 2023
Mayors, MPs and trade union firebrands – here’s some of our top pieces from the year.
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When oil and gas infrastructure becomes obsolete
Stranded fossil fuel assets pose a risk for the economy.
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The “deeply concerning” climate impacts of hydrogen leaks
Corporate lobbyists argue that this energy-dense gas is the missing link in net zero, but new science reveals otherwise.
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High drama and compromise: is the final Cop28 text another cop-out?
The climate summit’s final agreement commits to an energy transition away from fossil fuels – but not everyone is…
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How Wales could save the world
Sophie Howe, the nation’s first-ever commissioner for future generations, on what it takes to prioritise well-being over GDP.
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Why the UK needs a major energy grid upgrade now
As Britain shifts from fossil fuels to renewables, infrastructure must support the increase in electricity demand.
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Net zero’s dirty secret
Britain’s green transition is powered by Chinese coal.
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What will it take to support green growth in the UK?
At a roundtable, policymakers and experts discussed how the public and private sectors need to work together on the…
Why South Yorkshire needed a citizens’ assembly for net zero
Oliver Coppard, the regional mayor, on his new approach to formulating climate policy.
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The energy sector reform the UK needs
A New Statesman roundtable discussion at the Conservative Party conference convened key stakeholders on what change looks like.
Britain is one of six major countries not providing “fair share” of climate finance
Rishi Sunak claims the UK is as “committed as ever to helping developing countries”, but a new report reveals…
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Exclusive: Half of councillors say social housing has not been upgraded since 2010
As residents face extortionate energy bills this winter, many council homes in need of retrofitting remain unfit for purpose.
By Four out of five landlords want higher energy efficiency standards, polling shows
Research from the Social Market Foundation suggests there is little support for the government’s backtracking on energy performance upgrades.
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Will Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement really cut planning “red tape”?
The Chancellor has big plans for UK infrastructure, but they may not be enough to clear the planning backlog.
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For-profit schemes can’t drive the transition to net zero
The failure of the last contracts for difference auction showed that market mechanisms alone won’t decarbonise the energy grid.
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Why safe nuclear transport is key to net zero
By prioritising security and safety, we can build a sustainable future.
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Why heat zones can unlock opportunities for Sheffield to decarbonise
Sheffield is expanding its district heating network, providing low-carbon, cost-effective heat to businesses and communities across the city.
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Government short-termism may “jeopardise” net zero, MPs say
A parliamentary report from the Public Accounts Committee has criticised the UK’s lack of direction on green innovation.
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Refurbishing existing office space could support businesses and help the planet
Corporate building owners are opting for redesigns as they grapple with flexible working patterns and new environmental regulations.
The Parliament Brief: Will the UK pay up for climate loss and damage?
The Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho made her first appearance in front of MPs since her appointment to the role…
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Transforming the renewable energy sector
Dogger Bank, powered by SSE, will become the UK's largest wind farm – and power over six million homes.
New oil and gas licences will do “little for energy security and nothing to lower bills”
Energy and environment experts respond to the government’s net zero interventions in the King’s Speech.
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New oil fields are bad news for North Sea workers
Rishi Sunak’s plan to “max out” UK oil and gas is out of sync with the reality of soon-to-peak…
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The Policy Ask with Mike Thornton: “Businesses respond to certainty almost as well as money”
The chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust on retrofitting homes, the cost-of-living crisis and government backtracking over electric…
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Middle East crisis shows why “security” and “resilience” are the new economic buzzwords
What this week’s by-elections, and the Gaza crisis, mean for the new economy.
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Greening the grid
The UK’s energy infrastructure is in desperate need of renewal. Is Labour up to the challenge?
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Heating rural homes and achieving net zero
At a roundtable event, policymakers and experts discussed the challenges faced by rural households as they move towards low-carbon…
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Why decentralising is key to a resilient energy system
The energy transition isn’t just about building more renewables – investors also need to help make the move to…
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Hydrogen can be a UK success story
If we are serious about jobs, investment and UK-powered decarbonisation, then we must back hydrogen.
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To realise the UK’s offshore wind potential, we must strengthen our electricity grid
Embracing renewable energy to meet net-zero targets is reliant on a better connected energy grid with greater capacity.
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Being a green superpower will unlock the UK economy
Changing how we use energy will keep bills down, create jobs, and boost GDP.
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How to actually deliver on our energy commitments
The UK is at a crossroads but luckily, we know the way forward.
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In the journey to net zero, decarbonising heating will be key
Most of the UK’s building stock is connected to the gas network – we need innovative solutions to move…
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The Research Brief: Winter is coming
Your weekly dose of policy thinking.
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Rosebank has exposed contradictions on the centre left
Approval of new North Sea drilling will not be revoked by an opposition still wedded, like Biden, to a…
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Sunak’s net zero U-turn breaks with international opinion
While many of his green colleagues were at Climate Week NYC, the Prime Minister was backtracking on climate policy.
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“Cutting the green crap” is a losing strategy for Rishi Sunak
Weaponising net zero policies is not smart politics for a government facing an uphill battle to retain power.
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How will we reach net zero?
The Uxbridge by-election has exposed how divided Britain still is over how to decarbonise the economy.
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“It’s not that radical”: the planning reform that will unlock net zero
An amendment to the Levelling-up Bill is looking to weld the planning system to the UK’s climate commitments.
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Unite chief: “I’ve seen zilch on Labour’s green prosperity plan”
At this week’s TUC conference, Sharon Graham and other union leaders reflected the split in the left over net…
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Meet the hydro engineer who wants to forge global ties
Hydropower could help Australia and India kick their coal habit.
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The Parliament Brief: The government is lobbying to delay an EV tariff cliff-edge
Post-Brexit, rules-of-origin regulations could hammer the electric car industry and the energy transition.
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Do heat pumps work when it’s cold?
New research dispels myths about this technology, which will be key for reaching net zero.
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António Guterres: “It’s time to mobilise the world’s resources for Africa’s renewables revolution”
At the Africa Climate Summit, 54 nations called for the developed world to meet its $100bn-a-year climate pledge.
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The way to fix our energy pricing system? A national energy guarantee
The Norwich MP and Green New Deal advocate on why energy pricing should reflect the difference between luxury and…
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Could Brics Plus reshape the world economy?
Saudi Arabia and Iran are among six new members to join the alliance.
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The one that got away: what to expect from Claire Coutinho
The former children's minister is now energy secretary. How do childcare insiders rate her?
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Global heating and the future of work
As summer draws to a close, businesses need to consider mitigation strategies for a future in which heatwaves are…
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What has the energy price cap got to do with the climate?
The move to net zero is contributing to rising bills, but should ultimately also help lower them.
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The great energy rip-off is a symptom of our broken economy
The general secretary of Unite on the failure of Labour and the Conservatives to come up with a solution…
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The Research Brief: the free market case against the energy price cap
Your weekly dose of policy thinking.
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We need to talk about China
The Asian powerhouse is often used as an excuse for inaction on net zero. Meanwhile, their push to renewables…
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North Sea licences tell big oil we’re not serious about net zero
The former Conservative minister, and chair of the Climate Change Committee, on why new oil and gas exploration is…
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How to solve the UK’s heat pump problem
Britain has the lowest heat pump installation rate in Europe.
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Will carbon capture help us reach net zero?
The technology should not be used to justify more oil extraction in the North Sea, but experts agree it…
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Is nuclear power the key to reaching net zero?
Despite recent breakthroughs in nuclear fusion, renewables remain the most important technology for reaching net zero.
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22 heat pump myths debunked
This technology, vital for reaching net zero, is misunderstood.
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Abandoning net zero would be a historic mistake
The Uxbridge by-election has triggered a debate on decarbonisation, but the only question should be how we move faster.
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It’s time for local politicians to show climate leadership
Where national parties are failing, mayors, councillors and devolved parliaments must step up.
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For net zero, the UK needs the 2030 ban on petrol cars
We should not let the government’s mixed messaging distract us from progress on electric vehicles.
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Does the world need green growth or degrowth?
We’re already in a period of prolonged stagnation. It’s time to accept new economic – and ecological – realities.
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“We don’t want to run out of water”: tackling the UK’s drought problem
As we face increased flooding and heatwaves, investment in our water infrastructure is urgently needed.
We need a retrofit revolution to win the race to net zero
The UK’s draughty housing stock is a key source of emissions. The government needs a comprehensive plan to rectify…
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How to make energy savings in a cost-of-living crisis – with Honeywell
A special partnered podcast from the New Statesman.
The Policy Ask with James Heath: “The UK has been very slow on decarbonising buildings”
The chief executive of the National Infrastructure Commission on remote working, devolution and the need to accelerate green energy…
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It’s hard to be a “tree-hugger”, but progressive politicians must try
The EU’s Nature Restoration Law could signal the start of a new backlash against environment policy, not the end.
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Even in a bear market, thematic investing can be a green catalyst
Innovative funds are helping sustainable supply chains and systems thrive.
Meet the workers that maintain the UK’s solar power
Ambitious plans to grow the UK’s solar capacity means more jobs in the sector.
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Just stop the need for Just Stop Oil, says climate adviser
A scathing report from the independent Climate Change Committee has condemned government’s slow progress.
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Britain is being left behind in the race for the jobs of the future
The government is ideologically opposed to industrial strategy, but this is essential for fostering green growth.
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Paul Nowak: “I fit every stereotype of a Daily Mail trade unionist”
The TUC general secretary on Labour, taxation, and the false promises of the green economy.
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A drinks industry for net zero
On our journey we've made progress – and learned many lessons.
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The opportunity cost of net zero
Great Britain has one chance to decarbonise the economy – let’s take it.
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To achieve net zero, Labour needs to break with market coordination
Public institutions such as GB Energy and the green National Wealth Fund must lead the green investment push.
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How Britain’s biggest natural battery can help deliver net zero
SSE wants to double the nation’s flexible electricity storage capacity.
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Using AI and robotics to help tackle Britain’s biggest nuclear challenge
New technologies are making decommissioning the Sellafield nuclear site safer, faster and cheaper.