As the very first Net Zero Week took place last month, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change, has issued a video address on the importance of the week.
Northern Gas and Power (NGP) were the Principal Sponsors of Net Zero Week 2021, which took place 17-23 July. The Minister has sent the award-winning B2B energy consultancy an exclusive video address on how net zero initiatives are at the heart of the UK Government’s agenda.
Ms Trevelyan, who was appointed to her current position in early January 2021, discusses how net zero targets are “at the heart of (the UK government’s) plan for growth, which is our long-term strategy to level up the country and cement our position as global Britain, backed by investments in infrastructure, skills and innovations.”
She outlines that the boldness of the UK’s drive to decarbonise the economy does not just come from the top, but is a collective pursuit. She argues that UK businesses, both small and large, play a vital part in the country’s race to net zero goals. Achieving net zero targets, she asserts, will be a shared endeavour that requires actions from everyone in society.
“We cannot do this alone,” Ms Trevelyan said. “It is our people, businesses and organisations who are central to our recovery and progress towards net zero.
“If we approach our next challenges with the same zeal that we tackled the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK will continue to lead the way forwards towards a sustainable future across the globe.”
Discussing the vital investment committed to this agenda, she remarked: “We are keen to showcase UK businesses as global leaders in tackling climate change. We have invested in a £350 million industrial energy transformation fund to bring down the costs and risks of key decarbonisation technology.”
NGP committed early to supporting the week, seeing it as golden opportunity to raise awareness and showcase best practices, initiatives and new and emerging technologies that can help businesses get on the road to net zero immediately, making an instant impact.
NGP founder and CEO, Fokhrul Islam, said: “This is a hugely powerful initiative which will drive greater awareness of the impact of climate change and promote stronger collaboration across the industry. If we work together now, as a sector and as businesses, we have a golden opportunity to achieve a net zero carbon future. We all have an important part to play in this vital goal and we are proud to be the Principal Sponsor of the inaugural Net Zero Week.”
The UK Government is pushing the standards for other countries in the pursuit of decarbonisation. Just last month, the UK government shortened its target to end coal use for its energy fuel by a full year to October 2024. The Government plans to ban the sale of most halogen light bulbs later this year, and the sales of fluorescent light bulbs from September 2023.
This recent Minister address comes ahead of the UK hosting the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow this November, with more proposals being rolled out.
Ms Trevelyan said: “Ahead of COP26, the Government will bring forward further bold proposals, including a comprehensive net zero strategy to cut emissions and create new jobs and industries across the whole country, going further and faster towards building a stronger, more resilient future, and protecting our planet for this generation and for those to come.” Ms Trevelyan concluded: “I am excited by the opportunity that Net Zero Week provides to drive greater awareness.”
NGP is committed to helping businesses set out and deliver on their net zero goals to ensure the Government’s 2050 target is unequivocally met. It has set up a dedicated Net Zero Week web page with information on how to take positive steps for change. To view the dedicated Net Zero Week page and th Minister’s video visit: www.ngpltd.co.uk/netzero-week/
