Net Zero in Peril? The case for a new ‘low carbon social contract’ in the UK
Abstract
Net Zero represents an opportunity to regenerate our communities; reduce energy, housing, and transport costs; and build social cohesion and greater prosperity. However, most people in the UK have felt their living standards worsen for over a decade. Far right parties are capitalising on this discontent, and are blaming decarbonisation and broader progressive agendas for this malaise. The mainstream low carbon policy regime is failing to address the material concerns of low- and middle-income communities, through an over reliance on private ownership, market mechanisms, and individual choice as the driver of change. I will argue that, without a course correction, net-zero, and the decarbonisation agenda is in existential peril in western nations like the UK. This new strategy must overcome shibboleths surrounding public and community ownership, and introduce progressive universalist principles in the provision of energy, housing and transport - a new ‘low carbon social contract’. Implementing this strategy will require a radical departure from the macro-economic and fiscal consensus which has prevailed in the UK since the late 1970s
Biography
Donal is a Senior Research Fellow at SPRU, University of Sussex where he holds a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship. He has also recently worked for the Ashden foundation, and is Sustainability Director at the low -carbon consultancy firm Sustainable Design Collective. A sustainable housing, energy and energy demand specialist; Donal has provided policy consultancy on retrofit and renewable energy to the Welsh Government and UK Labour Party. He has in depth technical knowledge of renewable energy systems as well as Passivhaus and energy efficient design, a research background in energy policy, innovation and energy economics, and senior experience in business strategy, project management, financial analysis and personnel management.