Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will today set out plans to create 400,000 UK green jobs during his speech at the party’s annual conference in Liverpool.
The opposition leader will say the “green jobs revolution” will be achieved involve changing planning rules and investing in renewables to double onshore wind capacity over 12 years, while offshore wind will be increased seven-fold and solar threefold.
Labour also plans to slash carbon emissions by 60% within 12 years of coming to power.
“There is no bigger threat facing humanity than climate change. We must lead by example,” Corbyn will say.
RenewableUK welcomed Labour’s proposals to increase the deployment of onshore and offshore wind.
“Onshore wind is the lowest cost option for new power in the UK but is currently prevented from competing in the market, which means consumers will miss out on cheap electricity and billions of pounds of new investment across the UK being lost,” said executive director Emma Pinchbeck.
“We look forward to working with Labour as they add the detail to their plans, particularly on investment in supply chains to deliver this growth,” she added.
Solar Trade Association advocacy director Leonie Greene said: “The government estimates that around £180bn needs to be invested in the electricity sector to 2030.
“Enabling the lowest cost technologies which do not need public subsidy & which do not contribute to climate change, namely solar and onshore wind, would be very good news for consumers.”