Ashden welcomes the Great British Energy Bill and the Devolution Bill outlined in today’s King’s Speech. These pivotal legislative measures are crucial for securing a sustainable, resilient future and the mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower. Backing local leaders and innovators with the necessary powers and resources will drive fast, effective, and fair climate action, benefiting every community across the country.
Ashden’s priorities closely align with these bills and the new government’s agenda: adopting an area-based and community-engaged approach to net zero, rapidly expanding municipal and community energy, accelerating home energy efficiency retrofits, and fostering cross-sector collaboration to build a skilled green workforce.
These efforts go beyond reducing emissions. They are about empowering communities and boosting SMEs, creating jobs, improving people’s lives and the places we live, and ensuring energy security for all. Addressing inequalities and strengthening our communities while decarbonising our economy and regenerating nature is both a profound challenge and an extraordinary opportunity for the UK—one we must now all rise to meet.