The UK government has relaunched the Net Zero Council, and intends to bring together a broader range of voices to deepen the partnerships required to accelerate a position of net zero carbon emissions across the economy.
With the intention of strengthening ties across government, the private sector, civil society, and local authorities, as well as giving direction, the Net Zero Council will act as the primary stakeholder forum supporting the delivery of net zero pillar of the wider mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower.
Co-operative Group CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq is co-chair alongside Ed Miliband, secretary of state for energy security and net zero. Khoury-Haq held the role in the council’s original guise, which was launched in May 2023 under the previous government.
Full council membership is set to be announced imminently. Previously, it included leaders from Barclays, Octopus Investments, National Grid, and Lloyds of London, as well as Nestle UK & Ireland CEO Richard Watson.
It is proposed the Net Zero Council’s insights will inform government strategies, help to address cross-economy challenges and maximise the many economic and societal opportunities the transition presents, according to a statement released by Miliband’s department on Tuesday 17 December.
The main difference to the last council set-up is it will have representation from civil society and local government, which were said to “have essential roles to play in accelerating to net zero and can offer more diverse perspectives on challenges, opportunities and solutions”.
Key objectives
- provide expert insight: advising government in the development of its net zero strategy
- drive action towards decarbonisation across the economy: convening senior leaders across the highest emitting sectors of the economy to tackle cross-cutting barriers to decarbonisation, supporting businesses to take action and enabling them to realise the benefits of the transition
- outreach and communications to the wider business community: members will engage across their networks, advocate for action and promote climate leadership.
[image credit: Co-op Group]
