The UK has now had a Labour government for over 100 days and, following our article where we outlined our wishes from Keir Starmer’s government, we are now investigating the progress that has been made since the results of the general election. Some commitments were notably lacking in Labour’s manifesto and have continued to have not been addressed over the past 100 days, whereas some commitments have been progressed or promised to be delivered in the near future.

Environmental Improvement Plan ‘rapid review’

Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, shared his intention to launch a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan by the end of 2024. This rapid review is still ongoing, but recently there were communications between Defra and the Office for Environmental Protection, wherein advice was shared with Defra, highlighting five priority actions:

Get nature friendly farming right

Maximise contribution from protected wildlife sites

Speed up action in marine environments

Set out clear mechanisms for reconciling competing demands for use of land and seas

Develop a circular economy framework

We await the completion of the rapid review – and any amendments to emissions targets –and will continue our work with all UK governments and devolved administrations to help the UK meet its emissions targets. The solid fuel industry has been working hard to innovate and educate, and recent air pollution reports show the recent successes of this hard work.

Clean power by 2030

Labour has reiterated its intention to achieve net-zero by 2050 and enlisted the expertise of eight energy and nature experts to accelerate the push for clean power, forming the Clean Power 2030 Advisory Commission. Through the prioritisation of renewables, Labour intends to create a future where sustainable energy benefits both the environment and consumers, achieving clean power by 2030.

Comprehensive climate adaptation

Climate adaptation has been acknowledged across government, with a number of departments prioritising the environment in their plans. Ranging from renewable energy investments and warmer, insulated homes, government are driving change in areas that will benefit the environment just as much has the consumer. Time will only tell if these measures are successful and continued, but maintaining our climate at the core of policy will benefit the entire country in the long term.

The next 100 days

We are keen to see progress be made towards clean air targets. Defra’s recent annual report on air pollution in the UK demonstrates the proactive efforts of the solid fuel industry and the success of recent legislation, such as the Ready to Burn scheme. Aligning efforts across the UK will contribute to continued efforts towards emission reductions and we hope the Environmental Improvement Plan’s rapid review, with the Office for Environmental Protection’s advice, is able to help the UK continue to achieve its emissions reduction targets.

With the recent private members bill ballot drawing, upcoming months will further reveal government’s commitments to tackling the climate emergency. Roz Savage, Liberal Democrat MP for South Cotswolds, was third drawn in the ballot and has announced their intention to introduce the Climate and Nature Bill.

HETAS will continue to work with all UK governments and devolved administrations towards a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment. We hope that Labour holds true to their commitments, and that our additional wishes are addressed. Air quality, emissions targets, and the importance of biomass are integral to our industry and components of solving the larger, complex problem that is the climate emergency.