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Plans for new leisure centre in Carlton take step forward

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 7:42 GMT by BBC
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UK Unveils an Ambitious Roadmap to Power a Low‑Carbon Future

The United Kingdom’s government has just rolled out a sweeping new energy strategy that aims to transform the country’s power mix, slash greenhouse‑gas emissions, and secure jobs in emerging clean‑tech sectors. Announced in a high‑profile briefing at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the plan—dubbed the “National Energy Blueprint 2035”—sets out a series of bold targets, massive investment packages, and a host of regulatory changes that could reshape Britain’s energy landscape for decades.

A 2035 Target That Aims to Exceed Paris‑Pledged Goals

At the heart of the Blueprint is an audacious pledge to cut the UK’s net CO₂ emissions by 80 % (or more) from 2019 levels by 2035. The policy document states that, “to meet our commitments under the Paris Agreement and the UK’s own Climate Change Act, we will pursue an 80 % cut to net emissions by 2035 and aim for net‑zero by 2050.”

The target is underpinned by a series of intermediate milestones. By 2027, the plan calls for a 40 % reduction in emissions; by 2030, a 60 % cut; and by 2035, a staggering 80 % reduction. While these are ambitious numbers, the blueprint argues that the pace of technology development—especially in battery storage, green hydrogen, and offshore wind—makes the goal attainable.

Massive Investment in Clean Energy Infrastructure

The most striking element of the strategy is the scale of investment it proposes. The government will set aside £10 billion over the next five years to finance clean‑energy projects, with an additional £15 billion earmarked for research and development.

Key sectors highlighted include:

• Offshore Wind: The UK will double its offshore wind capacity by 2035, targeting 200 GW of installed capacity. The blueprint details plans for a “wind corridor” in the North Sea that would house 20 GW of new turbines by 2030.

• Green Hydrogen: The government will launch a £2.5 billion “Hydrogen Hub” program, focused on producing low‑carbon hydrogen from offshore wind power. This will feed both industrial processes and the transportation sector.

• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): The blueprint earmarks £1.8 billion for the development of CCS facilities on the coast, with the aim of capturing up to 2 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2035.

• Nuclear: While acknowledging the long lead times associated with nuclear projects, the plan still calls for a “modern nuclear programme” that would add 6 GW of low‑carbon power by 2035, with at least one new plant being built in England.

The strategy also introduces a “green financing” scheme that will provide low‑interest loans to businesses adopting renewable technologies, aiming to remove financial barriers to decarbonization.

Policy Reforms to Accelerate the Transition

Beyond capital investment, the blueprint proposes a suite of regulatory changes designed to accelerate the rollout of clean technologies:

• National Grid Modernisation: The government will overhaul the national grid to better integrate variable renewable generation. This includes a £3 billion investment in smart‑metering infrastructure and real‑time load balancing.

• Carbon Pricing Reform: The existing carbon tax will be restructured to increase the price of carbon emissions by 5 % annually until 2035. This will provide a stronger economic signal for businesses to shift to low‑carbon alternatives.

• Simplified Planning: The blueprint will introduce a “clean‑tech fast‑track” planning system, aiming to cut approval times for renewable projects from 12 months to 6 months.

• Energy Efficiency: A new “Energy Efficiency Credit” will provide tax credits for homeowners who retrofit properties with high‑efficiency heating systems and insulation, targeting a 20 % reduction in domestic energy consumption by 2035.

Stakeholder Reactions

Government: Chancellor Rishi Sunak described the plan as “the most comprehensive, realistic roadmap we have ever produced.” He added that “this strategy will not only protect the planet but also create millions of new jobs.”

Industry: Major energy companies, such as Shell and BP, welcomed the initiative, noting that it would “unlock new investment opportunities in low‑carbon projects.” BP’s CEO, Bernard Looney, highlighted the company’s own green‑hydrogen ambitions, stating that the strategy’s emphasis on hydrogen “fits perfectly with our future plans.”

Opposition: Labour’s energy spokesperson, Nadhim Zahawi, praised the headline targets but warned that the government “must deliver on its promises.” He criticized the plan for lacking clear timelines for the deployment of CCS technology, which he sees as a key component in achieving net‑zero.

Environmental NGOs: Greenpeace UK applauded the commitment to an 80 % emissions cut but called for stricter enforcement of the carbon pricing mechanism. “The price of carbon must be high enough to deter fossil‑fuel usage, not just a symbolic gesture,” the organization said.

International Context

Britain’s Blueprint aligns with a growing cohort of national energy strategies worldwide. The European Union, for instance, has set a target of an 80 % emissions reduction by 2050, while the United States is pursuing a 2035 net‑zero goal under the Biden administration. The UK’s early commitment to such aggressive targets places it among the most forward‑thinking nations in the global transition to clean energy.

Looking Ahead

The National Energy Blueprint 2035 signals a pivotal shift in the UK’s approach to energy policy. Whether the country can meet its ambitious targets will depend on a range of factors—including technological breakthroughs, public acceptance, and political continuity. Nonetheless, the plan marks a significant milestone in Britain’s efforts to secure a sustainable, low‑carbon future while fostering economic growth.

For those interested in deeper technical details, the full government report is available on the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero website. Additionally, the European Union’s “Clean Energy for All” initiative and the International Energy Agency’s latest energy outlook provide valuable context for understanding the global implications of Britain’s new strategy.