Countries are still racing to be the global top dog in clean energy and the green transition, and the UK is no exception. But, there have been concerns about whether it’s falling behind on the sustainable development and green jobs front. Countries like the United States are steamrolling ahead with legislation, public-private partnerships, investments, and job growth. The UK has had its share of clean energy initiatives too, but some are suggesting that something more is needed to push the country to the top of the list — something…super.
The UK's Champion in Sustainability
The words “Public Energy Champion” might make you think of a superhero swooping in to save the world. This vision might not be too far off from what the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has in mind for a public entity that would, in theory, be the hero to take the UK’s clean energy transition where it needs to go.
In a detailed report, the TUC proposed that the government form a Public Energy Champion who would fill exactly this role. It made the suggestion in light of its concerns that the country is failing to live up to its potential in the green economy.
TUC-commissioned analysis shows that action to meet the UK’s climate commitments has the potential to create over a million good new jobs, the TUC noted.
“However, there is also a real risk that the climate transition will fail to support quality jobs, and [will] leave working people behind… We need a major transformation of our energy system to guarantee affordable bills for households, decent jobs and rapid and just decarbonisation.”
And that’s where the Public Energy Champion would step in.
Responsibilities of the Green Energy ‘Superhero’
Under the TUC’s proposal, the Public Energy Champion would address major concerns relating to green jobs. These include, among others, issues like:
- Green jobs reportedly not materializing “on the scale or quality that workers were promised”
- Clean energy workers reportedly being underpaid
- Oil and gas workers facing difficulties when transitioning to green jobs
- Net-zero employers reportedly opposing unions
- Allegedly poor collective bargaining for clean energy workers
In a nutshell, the TUC said it is calling “for the UK government to set up a public energy champion to build new clean power, accelerate decarbonisation, create the high-skilled quality green jobs of the future and share the benefits of the climate transition with the population.”
This means a sustainability superhero, if adopted, would certainly have their work cut out for them as the green transition rushes onwards. They would also need a lot of investment to achieve these lofty goals. However, having a dedicated entity to champion (pun intended) the clean energy transition might be just what the UK needs to trump global competitors and be the green leaders of tomorrow.