On Sunday 29 September, during the Conservative Party conference, the government announced a net zero package, incorporating transport, housing, energy and nature. The package will increase investment for the research and development of electric vehicles; introduce more green spaces; deliver a Future Homes Standard, as well as investment to build a new fusion power plant by 2040. Additionally, the package includes up to £1bn of investment in the automotive industry to accelerate production of key technologies. Following the announcement, Energy UK Chief Executive Lawrence Slade welcomed the move, but called for more urgency to reach net zero. “We need to see action that will really shift the dial – including a Government-funded national energy efficiency programme and measures to tackle complex areas such as the decarbonisation of heat, which will be critical to achieving our climate targets.”

Energy UK