Put renewables at heart of green recovery, say trade bodies
A consortium of trade associations representing the renewables industry and related sectors have sent a joint open letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak making the case for renewables to be embedded into the UK Government's stimulus packages to address the economic recession caused by the coronavirus outbreak, as well as the larger issue of climate change.In the letter, the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA), the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE), ECA, the REA, Scottish Renewables and the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) highlight the value of scaling up the renewables industry to develop a circular economy that meets net zero targets and provides not only return on investment, but crucially, millions of jobs and energy security.Referring to the Prime Minister's campaign to "Build Back Better", the signatories ask the Government to ensure the UK "builds back green", and urge the Chancellor to: choose renewables as a safer and more lucrative investment option than fossil fuels focus on job creation across ALL renewables and related low carbon technologies - not just solar and wind ensure energy security for the UK is achieved through renewablesThey also call for the UK to show leadership in the lead up to the UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP26) in Glasgow in November 2021. With the US stepping out of the Paris Agreement and China reneging on previous green pledges, they see "an opportunity for someone else to show leadership on the green transition and give the world renewed hope" and urge "the UK Government, as the host of the next UN climate summit, COP26, to take up this role and to make the only sensible choice: a green response to COVID-19". Head of Policy at The ADE, Caroline Bragg, said:The ADE is pleased to support this joint letter to the Chancellor to back a wide variety of low carbon technologies. Faster progress in energy efficiency and smart, flexible systems will be a crucial part of the green recovery and up our ability to integrate greater renewables for our heating and power.Adopting these recommendations will see real quantifiable green jobs created up and down the country, putting decarbonisation to work to level up our regions. The recommendations will drive a just transition, allowing those impacted by these extraordinary times to reskill and be part of the future green economy.Read the letter to the chancellor here.
