Community Energy England (CEE) has called on the UK Government to increase investments in renewable energy.
The group was joined by the leaders of Tesco, Morrisons, M&S and the three biggest food co-operatives in the UK – the Co-op Group, Central Co-op and Midcounties Co-operative.
Together, they signed a letter urging Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to prioritise support for community energy organisations to develop projects which involve the wider public in the net zero transition, and offer incentives to encourage investment in renewable energy.
The letter also calls for an overhaul of the planning regime to fast-track new wind and solar schemes and create fairer pricing for green energy for households and industry.
The letter states the need for government to work with businesses to unlock additional renewable energy generation capacity, including directly funding wind or solar energy farms – which Co-op has committed to.
Duncan Law, acting co-Chief Executive of Community Energy England, said: “The community energy sector harnesses local passion, expertise and money to realise local decarbonisation opportunities at scale and engage the wider public in driving the energy transition.
“The sector doubled in size every year between 2014 and 2017 when there was, albeit reducing, government support. Recently local climate action, indispensable to achieving net zero, has been thwarted, not supported, by government policy.
“This must change if we are to succeed in tackling climate change and building energy security for all.”