Capitalising on the green economy

Zemo Partnership’s Claire Haigh has produced a report setting out how the UK can benefit from the transition to decarbonised transport

The UK can be proud of the example it has demonstrated in tackling climate change. The cross-party consensus forged at the time of the Climate Change Act in 2008 was critically important in establishing the UK as a world leader on this agenda. More than eight out of 10 people in the UK are concerned about climate change.

However, at a time of severe strain on public finances and rising geopolitical tensions, and with the country facing protracted cost-of-living and energy crises, the UK’s commitment needs to remain unequivocal. Recent rollbacks by the UK government on net zero suggest a weakening of the once unshakeable political consensus.

As a key partner of government, Zemo Partnership has played an important role in accelerating the transition of transport to net zero emissions since 2003. Zemo uniquely brings together government, industry and a wide range of experts. Our report Delivering Net Zero in a Changing World draws on extensive consultation conducted for Zemo in 2023, including stakeholder interviews, roundtable discussions and a series of workshops. The key conclusion was that the priority now for net zero is delivery.

A new Council for Net Zero Transport, convened by Zemo Partnership, comprised of senior stakeholders will help steer UK transport’s decarbonisation transition as it moves into the crucial delivery phase. The council will be chaired by Lord Deben, formerly UK environment secretary and chair of the Climate Change Committee. It will engage senior figures from government, industry, environment and academic sectors to forge a clear, strategic direction for road transport decarbonisation.

The UK must capitalise on the many opportunities offered by the fast-growing green economy. And to maintain support for this crucial agenda, it is vital that we ensure a just transition to net zero. If we get this right, we will build a cleaner, safer and fairer future.

Claire Haigh is executive director of the Zemo Partnership

To download Delivering Net Zero in a Changing World click here