UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said on Monday that public support for the government’s clean energy agenda remains solid, despite growing political opposition to net zero targets.
Speaking at the Energy UK conference in London, Miliband acknowledged that political consensus on climate policy had weakened but warned against overstating the level of public resistance to clean energy initiatives.
“People make a lot of noise, [but] the British public are in a sensible place on this,” Miliband said. “They don’t want the Climate Change Act ripped up and they don’t want us to go backwards. They know this is the future.”
His remarks come amid increased criticism of net zero legislation from opposition figures, including Conservative leadership contender Kemi Badenoch, who earlier this month pledged to repeal the Climate Change Act 2008. Badenoch argued that the legislation hinders efforts to lower energy costs and stimulate economic growth.
Miliband, however, defended the Act and broader climate policies, stating that abandoning the UK’s transition to renewable energy would leave the country more exposed to global gas price volatility and undermine efforts to tackle climate change.
He said the breakdown in political consensus “poses a challenge,” but stressed that “the reality [critics] need to confront” is the long-term economic and environmental risks of remaining dependent on fossil fuels.
The energy secretary also sought to reassure investors, stating that the government remains committed to delivering value for money during the energy transition. He pointed to falling costs in renewable technologies such as solar and offshore wind as evidence that decarbonisation can align with affordability goals.
“As long as we make it happen in a way that benefits them – and that is what we are going to do – we can definitely win the argument, reassure investors and provide them with hope,” Miliband said.
The UK government has committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, but recent political shifts have raised questions over the durability of that target. Miliband’s comments appear aimed at maintaining investor confidence in the sector amid increasing political uncertainty.
