Energy

Spotlight on Energy and Climate

Commentary and analysis from Katie White MP, Hannah Spencer MP, Lord Nicholas Stern, Mike Berners-Lee, and more

Will clean energy ever deliver a UK jobs boom?

Net zero promises jobs and regional growth. But is the workforce ready to make that a reality?

The public are ahead of their politicians on heat pumps

Industry lobbying attempts against alternatives such as heat pumps are floundering after a second energy shock in five years

Ed Miliband: The era of clean energy security

Our actions must now be faster, deeper and more wide-ranging if we are to protect our security. We have…

Credible, competitive, and future-proof

There can be no UK Industrial Strategy without a sustainable domestic refining base

Britain’s nuclear moment

After years of delay, the UK took decisive steps in 2025 on nuclear power. Now, the test is delivery.

Reclaiming the energy commons could help save this government

From old flour mills to rooftop solar co-ops, community power should play a key role in lowering bills and…

What is a “fair” Green Transition?

The government must define what it constitutes – and then relentlessly pursue it.

Powering the heat network shift with private capital

New networks, driven by affordable, reliable and clean energy, can heat and power UK cities for the next century.

The Warm Homes Plan must deliver for all in need

Rural communities risk being overlooked and left behind in the drive to achieve net zero.

Staying the course on Britain’s energy transition

Clean, home-grown energy can deliver security, jobs and lower bills for Britain.

We need a social tariff to avoid a winter emergency every year

UK homes are some of the hardest hit by fuel poverty

How Ed Miliband can deliver cheaper energy bills, today

The time is now for a progressive pricing system.

Energy storage must not be overlooked on the road to net zero 

The right regulatory model would empower Centrica’s Rough gas storage unit to play a key, long-term role in UK…

We have entered the Age of Electricity

To deliver on their promise of a £300 reduction in energy bills, the government will need to fix pricing.

Energy for a reset

There’s no green growth without sensible, investment-friendly regulation.

This country desperately needs a plan for energy that prioritises security and costs

The UK can learn lessons from Germany in ensuring its energy security.

Miatta Fahnbulleh: “I’m the minister for energy consumers and I’ve got one job”

Clean power and lower prices go hand in hand, insists the minister for consumers.

Is net zero by2050 achievable?

The Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch doesn’t believe it is. Over to our experts.

We must rethink energy security for today’s complex world

Governments and businesses need to work together in realising a secure, sustainable vision of energy abundance.

Zonal pricing for energy would be a disaster

Clean power is a golden economic opportunity for Britain – don’t blow it now.

The road to clean power 2030

A clear, strategic approach is needed to turbocharge infrastructure delivery.

Investing in a new cohort of energy pioneers

Shell UK is taking steps to inspire people from a range of backgrounds and communities to embark on careers…

Building a fairer future for UK households

The government’s goal for clean power 2030 must mean a better deal for British consumers.

The government’s warm homes plan must include hybrid heat pumps and renewable liquid gases

Decarbonising home heating must make room for alternatives which support rural properties.

Here’s how we turbocharge new nuclear

With a new government committed to clean power, nuclear is essential. But to realise its promise, Britain needs to…

Consumer engagement is key to achieving Britain’s net zero challenge

Setting out the case for a coherent, fair and strategic approach for bringing the public along on the journey…

A sustainable future must include a managed transition for the energy sector

Alongside the new government’s ambitions for its clean power agenda, it must ensure there is a plan for the…

Decarbonising the UK’s gas network needs a more nuanced approach

The shift to renewables is not one- size-fits-all. We must consider every option for a more sustainable future.

A special supplement sponsored by VPI, on maintaining energy security as we transition to net zero. Featuring the energy…

The case for a state-owned energy sector

What does GB Energy need to drive decarbonisation?

Can Chris Stark succeed as “Head of Mission Control”?

The government are serious about clean power by 2030. But it will take more than a cash injection to…

The success of Labour’s green plans will depend on financial commitment

The new government’s policy agenda was laid out in last week’s King’s Speech – now Keir Starmer must invest…

Dale Vince: shifting to renewables “needs no public money”

The eco-entrepreneur and Labour donor on the future of the green transition.

Alan Whitehead: “Clean energy is no longer on the periphery of policymaking”

The outgoing Labour MP and shadow minister for energy security on attitudes towards climate change, reskilling workers, and local…

The net zero transition is not a silver bullet

Green industrial strategy could benefit some poorer communities, but it’s no panacea for decades of underinvestment.

Retrofit revolution: how do we decarbonise the UK’s homes?

The UK has the worst insulated and leakiest housing in Europe – experts discuss how we can fix it.

Chris Stark: New oil and gas licences are a “total waste of time”

The former chief executive of the Climate Change Committee on the political will for net zero, setting ambitious targets,…

Solving the power puzzle

Tackling challenges to accelerate our progress to net zero requires lateral thinking.

Harnessing Europe’s green power plant

A hub of clean energy production is emerging in the North Sea.

Off the grid

We need a holistic approach to decarbonise heating in Britain’s rural homes.

The other side of net zero

If the UK is to reach its climate targets, delivering carbon removals is essential.

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…

Expert analysis and comment from Claire Coutinho, Kerry McCarthy, Chris Stark and Michael Mann.

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?

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.

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.

The Research Brief: UK housing cannot cope with hotter summers

Your weekly dose of policy thinking.

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.

Why a National Skilling Wage is the route to net zero

The UK needs to start training its workers again.

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.

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.

“Austerity has returned”: The expert verdict on Jeremy Hunt’s Budget

Reactions to the Chancellor’s plans for the economy.

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…

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,…

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?

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.

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…

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…

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When oil and gas infrastructure becomes obsolete

Stranded fossil fuel assets pose a risk for the economy.

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.

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…

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.

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.

Net zero’s dirty secret

Britain’s green transition is powered by Chinese coal.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

Why safe nuclear transport is key to net zero

By prioritising security and safety, we can build a sustainable future.

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.

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.

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…

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.

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…

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…

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.

Greening the grid

The UK’s energy infrastructure is in desperate need of renewal. Is Labour up to the challenge?

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…

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…

Hydrogen can be a UK success story

If we are serious about jobs, investment and UK-powered decarbonisation, then we must back hydrogen.

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.

Being a green superpower will unlock the UK economy

Changing how we use energy will keep bills down, create jobs, and boost GDP.

How to actually deliver on our energy commitments

The UK is at a crossroads but luckily, we know the way forward.

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…

The Research Brief: Winter is coming

Your weekly dose of policy thinking.