Released today, Wednesday, the budget will help play a vital role in the UK meeting its net zero targets.
In the North West, Greater Manchester has its own ambitious net zero target of 2038 whilst other counties are also exploring their own targets.
Leading from the front, Electricity North West has plans in place to ensure the North West is positioned to be the UK leader for reaching net zero.
Speaking about the announcement, Mr Emery, said: “The sixth carbon budget could be just what the UK needs: a step-change in ambition for reaching net zero, but also a clear indication that we have no time to waste. While the UK plans to be a world leader, the North West is well positioned to be the UK leader.
“We carried out research earlier this year into what Greater Manchester needed to do to hit its even more ambitious 2038 net zero target, and found that, while hitting the target was still possible, the city region needed to explore every single avenue and exploit each one to the max if it was to be successful. We have also developed similar reports for Cumbria and Lancashire based on their local ambition.
“Net zero means people embracing greener technologies such as electric cars, instead of carbon heavy alternatives. We’re working to ensure the region’s power network is ready for this expected increase and we’re currently undertaking the largest customer engagement exercise in our history and have found enormous support for taking a proactive approach to decarbonisation.
“We have already invested millions of pounds and have spades in the ground on projects to upgrade the region’s electricity infrastructure in a way that supports the transition to net zero.
“What we now need to see, as well as the new Energy White Paper, is genuine political will and the right policy framework from Ofgem that helps to deliver this type of investment and more right across the UK. The Carbon Budget makes clear that this is crucial for hitting our environmental targets. We believe that powering up the green economy is essential in driving the UK’s recovery from the Covid-19 as well.”
