Greenpeace Campaign

Climate change is an existential threat that is already causing a detrimental impact. The urgency of reaching net zero and avoiding catastrophe has never been clearer. At the same time, high energy bills are hurting families and businesses, further deepening the cost-of-living crisis.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has only underscored the need for the UK to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and invest in renewables to cut energy costs and ensure security. The failure of the Conservatives to invest in renewable energy and home insulation has directly contributed to the current energy crisis.

I agree with Greenpeace that renewables are key to a low-carbon future, and my Liberal Democrat parliamentary colleagues and I have consistently championed clean, affordable energy. Indeed, our record in government speaks for itself—we quadrupled renewable energy production and made the UK a world leader in offshore wind. We would have achieved more if we hadn’t been prevented by the Conservatives.

We are looking to build upon this progress by investing further in renewables so that they generate 90% of the UK’s electricity by 2030. This will occur alongside a 10-year programme to upgrade homes, starting with free insulation for low-income households, alongside driving a rooftop solar revolution.

Further, we would implement a windfall tax on oil and gas profits while simultaneously removing restrictions on solar, wind, tidal and wave power, and investing further in energy storage such as green hydrogen and battery capability.

Of course, tackling the climate crisis requires international cooperation, which is why we must work with European partners to build a renewable energy technology supply chain, while restoring our leadership on climate change by reversing both the cuts of Conservative and Labour Governments in international development spending, to restore it to 0.7% of national income, prioritising climate action.

Together with British businesses, we could lead the world in clean technologies and ensure no one is left behind in the transition to a sustainable future.