⚡️ Energy systems worldwide are undergoing major transformations as countries strive to reach net zero. In the UK, while considerable strides have been made towards the decarbonisation of our power system, numerous rollbacks in government initiatives have raised concerns about the pace of progress and how seriously we take our commitments to bringing about a more sustainable future.

This is set against a backdrop of doomsaying narratives around climate change. The issue is often framed in terms of negative tipping points and how close we are to reaching a ‘point of no return’.

How far has talking about climate change in this way got us? Should we move to a more positive and empowered tone to drive action? With elections taking place in nearly every major economy this year, how can we make the most of this unique opportunity for driving the climate agenda forwards? To answer these questions, we turned to the experts.

In our latest roundtable, we discussed the energy transition’s current trajectory with some of the industry’s most prominent figures:

• • Chris Stark – CEO of The Carbon Trust

• • Sarah Merrick – CEO/Founder of Ripple Energy

• • Ed Rees – Senior Policy Manager at Energy UK

• • Stephen Moir – Regional Head of Corporate Comms at Macquarie

• • Kit Dixon – Head of Policy & Regulation at Good Energy

• • Wendel Hortop – Markets Lead at Modo Energy

The roundtable was aptly timed – the UK general election was called for 4^th July the day before the roundtable took place, making the discussion particularly poignant. In this article, we digest some of the key themes raised during the roundtable and shed light on what the leading voices across the energy, policy and investment spaces think.

1. We need to depoliticise the climate change conversation

If climate change becomes a central election issue, it could lead to an even more polarised debate, ultimately hindering progress. We’re already off to a dangerous start, as Rishi Sunak framed the energy transition as a cost to the economy when calling the election. We need to ensure that other parties don’t fall into this trap. For Labour, instead of focusing purely on the transition to renewables being a climate issue, they should lean more heavily on how it promotes cheaper electricity. There are serious risks of net zero being weaponised for political gain, at the expense of progress in the right direction.

Put simply, “If this becomes a climate election, it will not be a good outcome for the climate.”

2. It’s important to promote a range of narratives, but honesty is crucial

While the crisis narrative is crucial to galvanise political action, it’s important we couple this with positive messaging about the opportunities that the transition brings with it. “We need campaigner rhetoric around the doomsday scenario, but must also talk optimistically about jobs and opportunities to help move people out of a state of apathy.”

Talking about climate change in a way that encourages action, without frightening people, is key. We also need to consider that people are far more willing to listen if there’s an honest discussion about the pros and the cons and how it will impact different people and groups across regions.

3. The term ‘net zero’ may have run its course

Net zero has been a powerful mobilising slogan, but its effectiveness is waning, and the term may have become too politicised. Should we reframe net zero as a destination rather than a slogan and ensure our messaging resonates beyond the political left?

“For too long now, we’ve had a set of messages for those on the left that has resonated and worked, but we are missing those groups who think all these climate claims are false. We need to speak their language too.”

We need to stop presenting opportunities as purely net zero opportunities, when they have much broader benefits. “Stop calling them green jobs, they’re just jobs. Stop calling it green investment, it is just investment.” It could be time to reassert the scientific definition of net zero to reduce room for politicisation.

4. We need to look at (and learn from) the global picture

It’s clear there’s a lot the UK can learn from global leaders like China, which is investing heavily in the green transition. “What China is doing on the climate is utterly astonishing. They are investing like no other part of the world in the green transition. China has clearly recognised it needs to be competitive in the climate world, and now the UK must look at how it can compete as an economy in that world.”

The UK, now somewhat on the backfoot after stalling numerous times, is going to have a hard time competing as an economy in the new climate order, particularly in areas like solar energy, where Europe is now leading the charge. Other countries are much quicker at recognising and promoting the economic opportunities of the climate transition – an approach the UK should adopt if we are to make the kinds of strides needed to reach net zero.

5. More can be done to harness demand for green solutions

…from both consumers and energy providers. “The UK has a very engaged consumer base, with people wanting to learn more. There needs to be greater trust in consumers to understand technology advancements and be excited about the opportunity to change.”

Transition efforts must consider low-income consumers, who are often the most sceptical about climate change and the most exposed to change. This includes providing clear, accessible information about energy generation and implementing targeted bill support to ensure we’re bringing the benefits of an energy transition to everyone.

There are many ways to better harness demand for green solutions, including ensuring customer bills contribute to getting green projects up and running, the government introducing a way to credit green energy that requires suppliers to purchase green energy, providing businesses with information about energy generation at different times of the day and developing an accreditation system that is straightforward to understand. The upcoming general election should be seen as an opportunity to capitalise on these.

6. We need to be quicker on our feet and seize the moment

Finally, we need to act swiftly and seize opportunities for accelerating the transition. When energy prices spiked post-Ukraine invasion, the clean energy sector missed a crucial window to push for renewables while the oil and gas sector capitalised on the situation.

“When the energy price spike started post the Ukraine invasion, there was a collection of people on the green side that saw the chance to incentivise a move from fossil fuels. The oil and gas sector moved faster, making an argument for a universal rebate in their favour. Unlike other countries, we missed two years of opportunity to accelerate the transition. That can’t happen again.”

Summing it up

The insights from our roundtable highlight a range of critical steps needed for a successful energy transition: depoliticising the climate conversation, balanced and honest messaging, rethinking the ‘net zero’ narrative, learning from global leaders, engaging public demand and acting swiftly on opportunities. The forthcoming worldwide elections offer a distinct opportunity to tackle these challenges and speed up the shift towards a sustainable future.