UGP’s guide to UK political energy policies as Britons rank environmental issues AS important as the economy!

November 28, 2019

In the run up to December’s general election, the major political parties have released their manifestos. While the major issue is leaving the EU, with 68% of Brits ranking Brexit in their top three important issues, environmental concerns rank far higher now than they did in the 2017 election campaign. In 2017 only 8% of Britons rated the environment as one of their top three issues. However, according to you.gov, the environment is now tied with the economy as Britain’s fourth most important issue, with 25% of Brits placing as one of their top three.

With little doubt that this growing issue will have a marked impact upon the outcome of the election, we’ve put together a list of the major three parties’ manifestos on their vision for energy in Britain, as well as the Green Party manifesto for comparison.

THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY

To have net zero emissions by 2050.
£9.2bn investment to improve the energy efficiency of homes, schools and hospitals.
Ban the export of plastic waste to developing countries and make producers responsible for the full cost of dealing with the waste they produce.
Continue the ban on fracking until there is more evidence that it can be safely done.
Plant 75,000 acres of new trees per annum.
Pledged to invest £1bn into completing a fast charging network for electric vehicles to ensure everyone is within 30 miles of a rapid charging station. Also, to invest in electric buses as well as setting new laws on air quality, seeking consultancy on the earliest date that the UK can phase out the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars.
To reach 40gw via offshore wind farms by 2030 and further enable and fund new floating wind farms.
To invest £500m to help energy intensive industries move to low carbon techniques.
To support gas for hydrogen production and nuclear energy, including fusion as important parts of the energy system, alongside increasing the UK’s commitment to renewables.

THE LABOUR PARTY

Aim for net zero emissions by the 2030’s, 90% electricity and 50% of heat from renewable and low carbon sources by 2030.
Lift the ban on new onshore wind farms and invest in enough new solar panels to cover 22,000 football pitches, 7,000 new offshore wind turbines, tidal and wind energy.
Windfall tax on oil firms so that companies harming the environment will cover the costs.
Phase out petrol and diesel car sales by 2030.
To balance the grid, they will expand power storage and invest in grid enhancements and interconnectors.
Permanently ban fracking.
A new UK national Energy Agency will own and maintain the national grid infrastructure and oversee the delivery of decarbonisation targets.
14 new regional energy agencies will replace the existing district network operators and hold responsibility for electricity.
To renationalize elements of rail, water and electricity industries, opposing privatisation of utilities.
Making the UK a world leader in fighting climate change and create 1 million green jobs in relation to reducing Britain’s Carbon footprint.

THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT PARTY

Climate action plan to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
Generate 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030 and ban fracking.
A halt on airport expansion and those who fly to pay more tax.
Plant 60 million trees a year. Undertaking the largest tree planting programme in UK history.
Accelerate the deployment of renewable power investing in more solar and wind projects. Support investments in tidal power and energy storage.
Cut energy bills by 2025 reducing emissions from buildings. Develop community energy saving projects including housing energy efficiency improvements. All new builds to be built to a zero-carbon standard.
Re-establish the Department against the climate crisis which has been closed since 2016.
With business and industries, they pledge to reduce emissions by supporting carbon capture storage technologies.
By 2030 to see that every new car sold is electric.

THE GREEN PARTY

A complete stop on the usage of fossil fuels, replacing with renewable energy.
Planting of 700 million trees.
A green deal, 10-year plan spending £100bn a year to tackle climate change renewing every aspect of life in the UK. By 2030 they pledge to meet the UK’s energy needs through the domestic production of renewable energy.
Reduce overall energy demand from buildings and homes.
Transform the UK’s transportation systems.
Electrifying railway lines.
End the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
Create jobs in renewable energy management and infrastructure.
Accelerate the building and implementation of wind, tides and solar energy to enable us to leave oil and gas in the ground. Targeting wind to make up 70% of the UK’s electricity by 2030.
To work with the Crown Estate, which owns much of the UK’s coastline to open up more coastal waters for offshore wind and marine energy.
To remove subsidies from oil and gas industries and apply a carbon tax on all fossil fuel imports and domestic extraction based on greenhouse gas emissions produced when the fuel is burnt. They will raise this tax over the decade to render coal, oil and gas financially unviable as cheaper renewable energies rise up to take their place.
Subsea connections to Norway and Iceland to connect to their hydro and geothermal power supplies will be encouraged.
Expand our short-term capacity for energy storage so that electricity from peak periods of renewable electricity generation (days with strong winds/plenty of sunshine) can be effectively stored. Utilising domestic solar batteries.
Prohibit the construction of nuclear power stations, new runways at airports and ban fracking permanently.
Reduce the use of natural gas for heating homes through a plan to replace boilers with renewable heat pumps, solar thermal, geothermal and biomass stored heat technologies.

United Gas & Power is a renewable business energy supplier. 100% of the power we supply to UK organisations is generated from renewable sources such as hydro, wind and solar.

Call us on 0800 669 6697 to discuss how we can help you save money on your energy bills, as well as help to protect our planet at the same time.