- Sunak Announces Funding for Carbon Capture Initiative in Scotland
- Government’s Energy Policies Cause Internal Divisions in Conservative Party
- Critics Oppose Carbon Capture Plan, Advocating for Reduced Emissions
When meeting with industry executives this week, the prime minister will stress energy security.
Rishi Sunak will outline the government’s intentions for the fossil fuel and green industries in the United Kingdom.
He will unveil millions of pounds for a Scottish carbon capture scheme, according to The Sunday Times.
Some Conservative members of parliament are advocating for a reevaluation of the party’s green policies, which are causing internal divisions.
Environmental organizations have expressed “deep alarm” over rumors that the government may weaken its ecological commitments.
It was widely believed that anger over London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s proposals to expand the city’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) contributed to the Conservatives’ narrow victory in the Uxbridge by-election.
Mr. Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer have advised Mr. Khan to reconsider Ulez adoption because to rising living costs.
Mr. Sunak is now establishing his position on the side of motorists.
In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, he stated that he has ordered a review of low-traffic neighborhoods (LTNs) because he believes that people should “use their cars for all the important things.”
Ulez’s outcry has put net zero on the UK political agenda after this month’s worldwide heatwaves and climate change concerns.
Throughout the week, the Prime Minister and his Energy Security Secretary, Grant Shapps, will meet with prominent representatives from the oil and gas, renewable energy, and nuclear industries.
The government stated that it anticipated the meetings would assist the United Kingdom in capitalizing on opportunities to improve its energy infrastructure and advancing its efforts to safeguard energy security and reduce reliance on “hostile states.”
The Sunday Times reports that Mr. Sunak will begin the week in Aberdeenshire, where he will announce funding for the Acorn carbon capture initiative, a collaboration between Shell UK and other companies.
Under this plan, harmful greenhouse gas emissions would be channeled beneath the North Sea.
Capturing CO2 at fossil fuel combustion would prevent its emission into the atmosphere.
According to the Sunday Times, policymakers view the technology as a crucial instrument for achieving net-zero emissions by the middle of the century, and it could create up to 21,000 jobs.
However, some environmentalists oppose it because they view it as a diversion from the imperative need to reduce emissions.
The Acorn Project has been in various stages of development for over a decade.
It had planned to be one of the first projects of its type to receive government funding in 2021, but it lost out to two projects in northern England around the Humber and Mersey.
If approved this week, it would be the first carbon capture and storage facility in Scotland.
Mr. Sunak will pledge to “put powering up Britain from Britain first” by maximizing UK resources, decreasing reliance on imported fossil fuels, and investing in renewable energy technologies.
The government will award North Sea oil and gas licences despite climate activists’ worries.
“Ineffective energy policy”
The March energy security policy pledged to increase oil and gas development to “reduce our reliance on imports.”
Mr. Shapps, referring to energy security as “national security,” stated, “Since Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the government has expelled Putin from our energy market, paid approximately fifty percent of the average family’s energy bill, and expanded our economy by advancing significant energy projects.
“We will go even further this week. Supporting our vital oil and gas industry, making the most of our home-grown energy sources. Investing in British renewables innovation is crucial to powering the UK with British energy.
Ed Miliband said “13 years of failed Tory energy policy” was raising electricity rates for homes and businesses.
Labour will not learn from the party that banned onshore wind, crashed the solar market, stalled energy efficiency, failed to launch new nuclear plants, and left us at the mercy of tyrants worldwide.
Jamie Peters, Friends of the Earth’s climate coordinator, stated that eliminating the United Kingdom’s “reliance” on fossil fuels was the “only sensible and effective way” to increase energy security.
UK renewable energy resources are large offshore and onshore. Which should be utilized more effectively for long-term security and economic prosperity.
