Video: The UK as an example for decarbonisation?

23 Sep 2021

Earlier this week we hosted our Annual Assembly, attended by UKERC researchers and external speakers this provided the consortium with an opportunity to hear about new and existing research, and discuss the latest developments in the energy world.

A key part of the activities was our keynote debate: The UK as an example for decarbonisation? Christ Stark CEO of the Climate Change Committee provided the opening statement focusing on three key points around institutions, progress and if the UK has a ‘right to crow’?

This was then followed by responses from:

  • Rebecca Newsom, Head of Policy, Greenpeace,
  • Simon Sharpe, Deputy Director, Policy Campaigns, UK Gov. COP26 team, and
  • Caroline Kuzemko, Associate Professor, Warwick University and UKERC

The debate touched on topics such as the importance of public support for the energy transition and the importance of whole systems thinking. It also highlighted how the UK should be a country to lead the path to decarbonisation as historically it is one of those to benefit the most from fossil fuels, with international credibility around COP26 now resting on the development of domestic policy.

Questions from the audience covered aspects such as the relative powers of different government departments, the role of local action and behaviour change, and more…

Watch the video here: