Labour Victory Spurs Energy Saving Trust Call for Immediate Net Zero Action

Labour’s net‑zero agenda and the Trust’s expectations

When the 2024 general election delivered a clear Labour majority, the Energy Saving Trust moved quickly to outline what it sees as a make‑or‑break moment for Britain’s climate fight. Chief executive Mike Thornton said the new government’s stated ambition to hit net zero is welcome, but stressed that ambition alone will not solve the twin crises of soaring energy bills and an escalating climate emergency.

Thornton praised the Labour platform for earmarking policies that would cut energy demand, boost renewable generation, and accelerate the decarbonisation of the electricity grid. He argued that these steps are essential not only for meeting emissions targets but also for shoring up the country’s energy security as global supply chains remain volatile.

According to the Trust, the next five years will be the period when the UK either locks in a decisive turnaround or falls further behind its climate commitments. The organisation warned that a prolonged period of uncertainty—characterised by post‑Brexit adjustments and pandemic‑induced delays—cannot be repeated. Immediate, coordinated action, it says, is needed to protect consumers from unaffordable bills while delivering the emissions cuts demanded by the net zero pledge.

Roadmap for homes, heating and renewables

The Trust called on incoming ministers to produce detailed roadmaps for three priority areas. First, a massive scaling‑up of home insulation, targeting both thermal efficiency upgrades and cost‑effective retrofits for low‑income households. Second, a clear plan for rolling out low‑carbon heating systems—heat pumps, district heating, and hydrogen‑ready solutions—paired with the necessary training and financing mechanisms.

Third, the expansion of renewable infrastructure, from onshore wind and solar farms to offshore projects, must be matched with grid upgrades that can handle the variable output. The Trust highlighted its recent engagement with the government’s Solar Roadmap, noting that policy inputs from figures like Abigail Ward demonstrate a willingness to fine‑tune sector‑specific strategies.

Long‑term signals, such as stable subsidy schemes and clear regulatory frameworks, were singled out as critical for giving both households and industry the confidence to invest. Without certainty, the Trust argues, private capital will hesitate, and the UK could miss the fast‑approaching 2030 deadline set out in the Paris Agreement.

In its view, collaboration between government, industry, and civil‑society organisations—leveraging proven delivery models from past successful programmes—can accelerate progress. The Energy Saving Trust remains cautiously optimistic, believing that Labour’s clear mandate provides the political cover needed to push through bold, large‑scale measures that align economic recovery with climate resilience.