CPC2020: The red wall and renewables: levelling up with a green economic recovery - a podcast by Conservative Environment Network

Panel: Rosa Stewart (CEN Steering Committee, Chair), Alexander Stafford MP (CEN), Emma Toulson (Lead Stakeholder Advisor, Ørsted UK), Jennifer Powell (former special adviser) & Peter Lyburn (founder, Stonehaven)

After winning the largest majority since Margaret Thatcher’s 1987 victory, the Conservative Party now has a huge responsibility to deliver on its promises to new ‘red wall’ voters, particularly in the North and Midlands, who shaped the outcome of the last election. Alongside Brexit, these communities expect to see increased infrastructure investment and many more jobs. Building back greener from Covid-19 with a huge boost to renewable energy capacity can deliver both of these goals by creating new green jobs, getting us on track to net zero and securing these ‘lent votes’ for the future.

Decarbonising the power sector has been a Conservative success story, with renewables now making up 37% of the electricity grid. The UK now boasts the largest offshore wind capacity in the world, employing 11,000 people directly in many coastal areas and former industrial heartlands. It is particularly a Northern success story, which is the home of the majority of the UK’s offshore wind sector and which has huge potential to lead in new technologies like green hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and low carbon steel manufacturing. Research estimates that the low carbon and renewable energy sector could support almost 45,000 jobs in the North East alone by 2030, many of which will be highly skilled roles in technology, science and manufacturing. But what additional policies are needed to ensure former red wall areas continue reaping the economic benefits from the transition to renewable energy? How significant are renewables to the government’s levelling up agenda?

CEN’s recent polling shows clear support for an economic recovery that also tackles climate change. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor have both made clear their intention to build back greener, backed up a £2 billion grant for home energy efficiency upgrades and a £100 million investment into direct air capture technology. This panel will explore what steps should be taken in the Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review this autumn to deliver a green recovery, and scale up public and private investment in renewable energy and storage to benefit all regions of the UK.

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