PRESS RELEASES | 01/07/2025
Labour’s progress on climate is welcome – now focus must turn to delivery and maximising public benefits

- As the government reaches one year in office, the Aldersgate Group publishes its latest Green Policy Snapshot, a comprehensive stocktake of policy progress towards delivering low-carbon growth and nature restoration in the UK.
- The new assessment highlights the government’s recognition that net zero is a key growth driver, and the tangible measures set out to accelerate progress, particularly through the Modern Industrial Strategy, Clean Power 2030, and the Spending Review. It calls on government to now prioritise effective delivery, ensuring economic and societal benefits are secured in the process.
- Policy gaps still remain in some areas that are fundamental to delivering net zero and driving growth, particularly nature, transport, and the built environment. Further measures to support nature protection and restoration, and to strengthen supply chains and skills, are critical next steps.
Today, the Aldersgate Group publishes the latest update to its Green Policy Snapshot, a cross-sector assessment of the UK government’s progress towards delivering net zero and nature restoration.
The Snapshot welcomes the government’s clear progress on renewable energy, particularly with the significant funding package in the Spending Review, which delivered a 16% rise in real term growth for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero over three years. It sets out next steps for government to build on this progress, particularly by putting forward measures that bolster economic certainty, maximise growth potential, boost energy security and create benefits for the public.
The Modern Industrial Strategy in particular sets out important measures to maximise this potential. To build on this important step forward, government must provide further detail in the industrial decarbonisation strategy later this year, particularly around creating a net zero workforce, and clarity on how energy bills will be reduced for households and businesses.
The Snapshot finds that significant gaps still remain in the UK’s nature policy. Despite its critical role in our prosperity, with 55% of global GDP moderately or highly dependent on nature, the publication highlights that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs faces a 1.8% cut in real terms funding [1]. To make further progress, there is a clear need for efficient resourcing of regulators, robust policy frameworks for climate adaptation and the circular economy.
Rachel Solomon Williams, Executive Director, Aldersgate Group, said: “At a time of geopolitical uncertainty, the government has confidently asserted its commitment to decarbonisation through tangible policy measures, funding allocation, and its communication with the public. This is a position that is aligned with the wider business community, which recognises that the net zero transition is a major economic opportunity for the UK. Sir Keir Starmer’s government has created a robust foundation to build on. Now it’s time to ensure that it effectively delivers on its ambitions for low carbon growth with clear delivery plans, while taking steps to ensure it keeps the public on board, and pays the same level of attention to environmental protection and restoration.”
References
[1] PwC, Managing nature risks: From understanding to action (2023)