Displaying items by tag: Ed Miliband

The Government has unveiled its new ‘Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan’, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions while boosting economic growth. Energy secretary Ed Miliband said the plan will accelerate renewable energy, remove fossil fuels from the power grid by 2030, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2037. After a High Court ruling that the previous strategy lacked evidence to meet legal climate targets, the new plan outlines measures to expand clean power, promote heat pumps, and improve access to electric vehicle charging, while avoiding a gas boiler ban. A companion ‘Methane Action Plan’ aims to curb emissions from this potent greenhouse gas. Environmental groups largely welcomed the renewed ambition, though campaigners urged stronger action on aviation and housing. Critics warned of high costs and delayed delivery. Miliband insisted the plan would bring cleaner air, warmer homes, and new green jobs - securing a sustainable, prosperous future for coming generations.

Energy secretary Ed Miliband has pledged to permanently ban fracking, calling it dangerous and deeply harmful, as he urged Labour activists in Liverpool to embrace clean energy as the future. He argued that fracking does nothing to lower bills, create sustainable jobs, or meet climate commitments, but damages the environment. Miliband contrasted Labour’s stance with Reform UK, who advocate expanded fossil fuel extraction, accusing them of betraying future generations. He described Reform as 'science-denying, poverty-driving extremists' and urged voters to reject their policies. Fracking, briefly permitted under Liz Truss before being banned again by Rishi Sunak, involves injecting fluid underground to release gas, a method widely criticised by environmental groups. Miliband tied Labour’s green vision to economic renewal, insisting clean energy is Britain’s best opportunity for job creation in decades, as well as the only sustainable solution to high energy bills.

The UK has surged to third place globally in the Climate Change Performance Index, up from eighth last year. Experts at the COP29 conference in Baku attribute this leap to Labour’s plans to ban new oil and gas projects, promote onshore wind turbines, and close the country’s last coal power station. Britain now trails only Denmark and the Netherlands, with analysts calling it a 'winner this year’. The NewClimate Institute praised Labour leader Keir Starmer's commitment to an 81% emissions cut by 2035. Meanwhile, energy secretary Ed Miliband has played a pivotal role at COP29, urging nations to halt new coal power projects and building alliances with countries like Brazil. Despite the UK's progress, challenges remain as the success of COP29 hinges on a finalised climate finance plan for developing nations. Britain’s tangible influence at the conference has revitalised its global leadership on climate change, with hopes high for lasting impact.