The University of Nottingham's Institute for Policy and Engagement has today called on the UK Government to embed a set of principles designed to ensure fairness and opportunity around the transition to a low carbon energy system.
The report - Delivering a Just Energy Transition - was produced following a Policy Commission chaired by Lord Watson of Wyre Forest, which brought together expert Commissioners and witnesses from across a variety of sectors including academia, business, and local government.
Professor Lucelia Rodrigues, Chair of Sustainable and Resilient Cities in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham, served as the Commission's Deputy Chair.
She explained:
Prompting, supporting and delivering a net zero transition in a just manner is a doubleedged sword for policymakers, which is why this Policy Commission brought together experts in a variety of fields to help inform that journey. It has been wonderful, and indeed very insightful, to learn from thought-leaders driven by a common, powerful, goal.
"The Government now needs to look forward and work accordingly to ensure the transition towards net zero is done in a just and responsible way to ensure the best for all involved parties."
The report urges Westminster not to fall behind the devolved nations when it comes to establishing policies associated with delivering a transition that explicitly has fairness at its core.
Further, it calls on the UK Government to construct a framework for guiding the work of Departments, non-departmental public bodies, state bodies and the wider public sector.
Additionally, the report calls on the Government to:
- Continue to form a positive narrative around decarbonisation to garner public support.
- Set up a Transition Taskforces to enable those impacted by the energy transition to have power over policies
- Utilise the Industrial Strategy to deliver a just transition, particularly learning from best practice in other countries to maximise jobs, investment, and opportunities.
- Ensure an enhanced focus on benefits associated with hosting new energy infrastructure, alongside wider planning reforms
The report, which was launched today in Parliament, outlines a full series of recommendations to the Government designed to preserve and grow the necessary public support for the energy transition, covering policy areas including skills, planning, R&D, and Industrial Strategy.
Lord Watson, Commission Chair said: "The significance of a shift to net zero has implications beyond the imperative of tackling climate change - it represents a reshaping of our economic future, offering new opportunities, industries and jobs. But like any major transformation, this is not without its challenges.
"With one of the new Labour government's five key Missions focused on delivering the energy transition at pace, this report comes at a crucial time, and sets out a vital framework for policymakers, offering the tools needed to navigate the complexities of this generational shift in a way that has fairness at its heart"
