The Resolution Foundation, a leading thinktank, has urged the new government to take on the challenge of “net zero nimbys” in order to successfully transition the UK to clean energy and boost the economy. The thinktank emphasized that the development of new cables, pylons, and renewable energy projects necessary for this transition is likely to face strong opposition from local groups.
According to the Resolution Foundation, overcoming this opposition is crucial in order to ensure that these projects are actually built and that all parts of the country can benefit from the switch to clean energy, including lower electricity bills. Jonny Marshall, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation, stated, “Doing this effectively will require overcoming opposition to development from net zero nimbys, who often live in wealthier parts of the country. The government must be prepared to win these battles, which won’t be popular with some voters, but are vital for the country as a whole.”
The thinktank also highlighted the disparity in the distribution of clean energy infrastructure, with areas such as battery storage, onshore wind, and solar farms predominantly located in wealthier neighborhoods. This has raised concerns about the potential for poorer communities to bear the burden of the costs while richer areas reap the benefits. The Resolution Foundation warned that the government must take steps to address this issue and ensure that all communities have access to clean energy.
In recent weeks, the Labour party has taken steps to lift a de facto ban on onshore wind, approve new solar farms, and ease planning rules. However, this has met with opposition from MPs such as Conservative Alicia Kearns, whose constituencies will be directly impacted by these projects. In response, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has stated that the biggest threat to rural communities is not the development of clean energy infrastructure but rather the climate crisis, which is the very issue that the transition to clean energy aims to address.
Despite progress in reducing emissions by 53%, the UK is off track to meet its next target of a 68% reduction by 2030, as warned by the country’s climate advisers last week. The Resolution Foundation emphasized that the next step in this transition will require a significant increase in clean power and a shift from fossil fuel technology to clean tech such as heat pumps and electric cars. However, the high upfront costs of these technologies may be prohibitive for poorer households. In order to address this issue, the thinktank called on the government to provide grants specifically targeted at helping these households overcome affordability barriers.
In response to the Resolution Foundation’s recommendations, a spokesperson from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated, “We are wasting no time in implementing the bold climate and energy plan needed to deliver our mission for greater energy independence.” The spokesperson also emphasized the importance of listening to communities’ concerns and ensuring that they directly benefit from hosting clean energy infrastructure.
The upcoming Warm Homes Plan, which aims to upgrade millions of homes with heat pumps, solar panels, and batteries, will also provide support for these technologies, according to the spokesperson. However, there have been criticisms of the government’s previous schemes, such as the Green Homes Grant, for failing to adequately address affordability barriers for poorer households.
Meanwhile, Green Party MP Adrian Ramsay is facing backlash for opposing plans for new pylons in his East Anglian constituency of Waveney Valley, despite his party’s call for ambitious decarbonization targets. Torsten Bell, former Resolution Foundation and newly elected Labour MP, wrote on social media last week, “You can be pro-net zero or pro-zero building but not both.” Sky News has reached out to the Green Party for comment on this issue.
