Writing for this week's Redditch Standard (August 18th), Rachel said:
“What angers me just as much as the eco-warriors causing havoc to our lives by gluing themselves to roads is the false narrative they pedal about the UK’s world-leading track record in tackling climate change.
They continue to talk our country down when the facts don’t support their argument. If you were to listen to what these campaign groups have to say you’d think the UK isn’t doing anything to transition to Net Zero.
It was a Conservative Government which set a legally binding target of reaching Net Zero by 2050 – something I proudly voted for in Parliament.
And, since 2010, the UK has created jobs and grown the economy whilst decarbonising our country faster than other G7 countries.
What the eco-warriors also fail to mention is the fact that the UK is a world leader in renewable energy and in nuclear power.
We have the world’s largest operational offshore wind farm. Not only that, we’re also home to the world’s second largest, third largest and fourth largest offshore wind farms.
The UK is building more floating offshore wind than any other country in the world, we have 10,000 onshore wind farm installations and we have built over half of the world’s tidal power.
Sustainable energy is vital in creating a greener planet. That’s why we're investing in nuclear technology, through Great British Nuclear and building two of the world’s most powerful nuclear reactors. We're also working to deploy the first generation of small modular reactors in the UK.
Back in 2010, the UK’s renewables accounted for less than 7% of our electricity. Now they account for over 40% of the UK’s electricity. All of which is helping our country decarbonise faster than other G7 countries whilst growing our economy.
So yes, the UK is the world leader when it comes to renewables and don’t let anyone tell you different.
But there’s certainly more to do, and I will continue to support the Government’s work to reach Net Zero by 2050. It’s only the Conservatives who are planning responsibly for our transition. Labour’s unrealistic bans on new oil and gas licences, their kow towing to Just Stop Oil’s leading activist who donated £1.5 million to the Party and their huge unfunded borrowing plans will endanger the UK's energy supply, leaving us reliant on tyrants and foreign imports. That’s not good for our energy supply, our work to reach Net Zero or for jobs and our economy.”
