UK public back push for renewables, but joined-up planning system needed for net zero success

• New interim findings from the Aldersgate Group, RenewableUK, and CPRE, the countryside charity, show that the planning system for energy infrastructure needs increased strategic direction, stronger resourcing, and improved engagement to deliver net zero whilst protecting landscapes and nature. Click here to download the full report.
• The final phase of the project, reporting in the autumn, will outline a clear set of recommendations to address these challenges and deliver a planning system that is fit for a low-carbon future.
• Polling released alongside the interim report finds that the public support further investment in renewable energy. 64% of those polled support investment in renewable energy, and 60% believe their local MP should advocate for further renewable energy investment.

Following the announcement of a Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the Aldersgate Group, in partnership with RenewableUK and CPRE, the countryside charity, publishes the interim findings of a new project exploring how the planning system can enable net zero, whilst protecting nature and landscapes, and enhancing communities’ right to input. The project is specifically focused on the planning system for onshore Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP).

The findings launch alongside polling commissioned by RenewableUK on public attitudes towards renewable energy, which shows a majority in favour of further investment in the sector. Specifically, it finds that 64% of those polled support new investment in renewables and 60% would like to see their local MP advocate for this. Crucially, it also finds that 42% do not believe their local council is doing enough to support renewable energy development.

Significant new energy infrastructure is required to enable the transition to a net zero power system. To deliver its clean power mission, the Labour government intends to ramp up onshore wind, solar power, and offshore wind by 2030. To achieve this scale of change, stakeholders throughout the planning process must agree the right approach to accelerating rollout while considering community, environmental and landscape impacts.

The interim findings of this collaborative project outline what is currently working well, alongside the challenges currently hindering progress on delivering new critical power infrastructure. Key challenges identified include a lack of strategic planning, a need for joined-up policy, and improved public engagement. These challenges are compounded by a lack of resources across the system and difficulties around access to data, as well as systemic inefficiencies, uncertainty and a need to better manage trade-offs for developers, environmental groups and communities.

Rachel Solomon Williams, Executive Director, Aldersgate Group, said: “To successfully deliver the Government’s ambitious power decarbonisation goals, it’s vital that we achieve a shared understanding on key issues and bring all stakeholders along on the journey. Planning reform will play an important role in ensuring that we can deliver the necessary infrastructure to enable the energy transition, while thinking holistically about the nation’s land use. This project is an important part of this process, bringing together perspectives from both business and NGOs to outline the current barriers, and ultimately propose solutions. There is an immense opportunity for the new Government to create a system that achieves net zero whilst protecting landscapes, nature and communities’ right to input.”

Ana Musat, Executive Director of Policy and Engagement at RenewableUK, said: “The Government’s mission to achieve clean power by 2030 gives us a clear imperative: not just to attract investment in renewables and supportive infrastructure at pace, but also to ensure the planning system enables their timely deployment. Today’s interim report, developed in partnership with Aldersgate Group and CPRE, shows that planning reform that enables the delivery of the 2030 mission and net zero can and should be good news for local communities, nature and energy developers. Planning reform is essential for enabling us to move quicker on lowering emission, achieving energy security and affordability, and creating investment in energy infrastructure, supply chains and nature restoration.”

Roger Mortlock, CEO, CPRE, the countryside charity, said: “’We share the new government’s desire for an expansion of renewables and a move away from fossil fuels. The new partnership between CPRE, Aldersgate and RenewableUK is an opportunity to chart a course to net zero that has the support of local people and takes the impact on our countryside and landscapes into account. Together, we’re looking forward to working with the government on a just transition that benefits the climate, nature and rural communities.’

Becky Pullinger, Head of Land Use Planning, The Wildlife Trusts, said: “An expansion of renewable energy is of critical importance, but it must not come at the expense of nature. The UK Government needs to work strategically and across departments to ensure that green energy plans also maximise benefits for wildlife, both on land and at sea. This includes developing a Land Use Framework and urgently completing the Marine Spatial Prioritisation programme, which are crucial for ensuring that clean energy projects also contribute to nature recovery. We want to see all major infrastructure projects delivering at least twenty percent net gains for nature by 2025.”

Katie-jo Luxton, Executive Director of Global Conservation at the RSPB, said: “This important report and its initial findings show that the energy sector and nature NGOs like the RSPB make similar diagnoses of the challenges new energy projects face, many of which are beyond the planning system. Planning regulation needs improvement through evolution and not revolution. This report highlights a need for a strategic approach to energy planning to ensure that investment flows to the right locations. It is vital to ensure that energy developments are net positive for nature through careful site selection, robust use of mitigation hierarchy and the use of biodiversity net gain. Challenges in resourcing for local authorities and statutory agencies, alongside a lack of environmental data sharing must also be addressed if we are to deliver the energy transition hand-in-hand with nature’s recovery.”