- Conference
- 2022 Energy Service Group Conference
- Date
- 18 February 2022
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference notes that in November 2021 the UK hosted the COP 26 in Glasgow.
At this COP the UK again committed itself to achieving Net Zero by 2050 which itself is a statutory target which the UK Government should be working towards achieving.
UNISON energy workers know already that achieving Net Zero will be hard to do, but that it is essential we hit that target and that we do it in a way that secures good employment for members, provides affordable clean energy for all and ensures the lights are kept on and homes warm.
Sadly, it is clear that progress on the many measures required to be taken so that we remain on track to achieve Net Zero is now starting to wane. Many of the required changes take years to implement and yet they have barely begun to happen, and budgets set aside or planned, fall well short of what is required.
Conference believes that the Government have not demonstrated that they are serious about achieving net zero and that its warm words have done little to create the right conditions for it to happen. The level of investment needed, the new energy workers required, and the legislative and regulatory framework is not in place at a time when it should be in full swing.
The recent energy price crisis shows just how fragile the UK is to price shocks and its reliance on overseas energy supply and the use of gas to produce electricity. In addition to this, the lack of certainty on energy policy has led to both dithering and delay, but critically it has led to a loss of employment in this sector at a time when it should be increasing.
This Conference therefore calls on the Energy SGE to:
1. Challenge the Government to set forth credible plans to achieving Net Zero by 2050 and call out the lack of progress made
2. Work with Labour Link and others to develop credible plans to achieving Net Zero ensuring that clean energy remains affordable to all, provides good, unionised employment and is secure and sustainable
3. Enable energy members to contribute to a debate on what a balanced energy policy should be and produce a report outlining the options for this and the roles all energy sources might play in getting to Net Zero.
4. Continue to promote the development of Hydrogen solutions and work with all stakeholders to ensure a sustainable future for our members in the gas industry
5. Highlight the folly of backing heat pumps without a clear plan to support consumers with dedicated financial helps and a credible workforce plan to ensure we have new workers able to deliver the targets set.
6. Promote the concept of energy as a public good and the right to clean energy for all.