Labour told to DROP term Net Zero as it has become 'lightning rod for opposition to climate action'

Ministers should drop the term "Net Zero" because it has become “a lightning rod for opposition to climate action”, a parliamentary committee has recommended.

The phrase “has lost much of its significant positive association” and is becoming a distraction from the shift to green power, it found.

The report – from the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee of cross-party MPs – is aimed at "reframing" the case for clean energy and building public support for the green transition.

The term "Net Zero" led to “stale debate” on emissions targets, it found.

Instead, language should focus on the benefits of clean power for the economy, climate and national security, as well as the “health outcomes, cost savings and job creation”.

“As part of efforts to communicate the energy transition effectively, the term Net Zero should be dropped from the Department’s name and its key communications,” it said.

The report pointed out the UK has spent decades reducing its carbon emissions and has “made significant international commitments to address the threat of climate change”.

But it warned these positives were at risk because of a cost-of-living crisis caused by fossil fuel volatility.

It said: “The political consensus that enabled the UK to be a world leader in tackling climate change and transitioning to clean energy has broken down. It broke because a gas price shock and the acute cost of living pressures contributed to a shift of sentiment and scapegoating of the transition, rather than the fossil fuel dependence that had caused the crisis.”

Recent polling found a quarter of people were now opposed to the UK’s target of reaching Net Zero emissions by 2050.

Three quarters of these said they feared it would leave them worse off.

The committee said the Government should do more to stress moving away from fossil fuels “is the route to lower bills”.

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It found delivering cost benefits for businesses and households was the single biggest step to bolstering support.

Lowering the price of electricity was also crucial, it said, as was ensuring that the least well off were not left out of green tech, such as heat pumps and electric vehicles.

It wrote: “Those in poorly insulated or privately rented homes are least able to act and most exposed to high prices, yet they are the people who stand to gain most from cheaper clean power and warmer homes. A transition whose upfront costs fall on those least able to pay, while its benefits accrue first to those who can afford a heat pump or electric vehicle, will not command public support and does not deserve to.”

The Committee said the summer heatwaves and wildfires were a stark warning of the dangers of climate change.

It recommended the Government used the damage caused “to make the case for the transition directly and without hedging”.

It further found misinformation about climate change was spreading and called for greater powers for the media regulator, Ofcom. James Earl, CEO of the Gas Networks Trade Association, Future Energy Networks, agreed cost for consumers was vital for getting the public on board.

However, he said other solutions, such as hybrid heat pumps, should not be forgotten.

He said: “Today’s report highlights the importance of putting the consumer’s experience at the heart of the energy transition. More choice to fit a range of budgets will help to speed up the transition.”

Asked about the suggestion to drop the phrase 'Net Zero', the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said': "This is an unnecessary distraction from the reality of climate change and the urgent need to transition to clean power." A spokesperson added:

"We are committed to net zero and the clean energy transition as that's the best way to both lower bills for good and tackle the urgent issue of climate change.”

There are no plans to change the Department's name.

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