An ambitious strategy setting out how the UK will lead the world in cutting carbon emissions to combat climate change, while driving economic growth, has been published by Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark.
‘The Clean Growth Strategy: Leading the way to a low-carbon future’ is said to build on the UK’s strong progress to date; carbon emissions in the UK have fallen and national income has risen faster and further than in any other nation in the G7 — emissions are down by 42% since 1990, while the economy has grown by 67%.
Mr Clark said: “This Government has put clean growth at the heart of its Industrial Strategy to increase productivity, boost people’s earning power and ensure that Britain continues to lead the world in efforts to tackle climate change.
“For the first time in a generation, the British Government is leading the way on taking decisions on new nuclear, rolling out smart meters and investing in low-carbon innovation.
“The world is moving from being powered by polluting fossil fuels to clean energy. It’s as big a change as the move from the age of steam to the age of oil, and Britain is showing the way.”
Climate Change and Industry Minister Claire Perry said: “The impact of the Paris agreement and the unstoppable global shift towards low-carbon technologies give the UK an unparalleled opportunity.
“By focusing on clean growth, we can cut the cost of energy, drive economic prosperity, create high-value jobs and improve our quality of life.
“For the first time, the Government is setting out how over £2.5 billion will be invested to support low-carbon innovation from 2015 to 2021, as part of the largest increase in public spending on science, research and innovation in over three decades.
“This funding covers programmes delivering low-carbon energy, transport, agriculture and waste. There are already more than 430,000 jobs in low-carbon businesses and their supply chains.
“Today’s policies will provide further opportunities right across the country for more jobs, higher earning power and increased productivity. The low-carbon economy could grow by 11% per year between 2015 and 2030 — faster than the rest of the economy.”