Former UK Climate Change Committee chief Chris Stark has been appointed to lead the Clean Energy 2030 audit mission

The new appointment follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s preferred approach of appointing experts to key Cabinet positions. The new entity will coordinate action across government to deliver a decarbonised energy system by 2030.

According to the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Mission Control will be a “one-stop shop” bringing together a team of industry experts to “solve issues, negotiate and clear the way for energy projects”. It will work with energy companies and others, including Ofgem, National Grid and the Electricity System Operator (ESO), to address and resolve challenges as they arise.

“Years of underinvestment have left our country energy insecure, and working people are paying the price through their energy bills and the cost of living crisis,” said Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband. “This must not happen again. This new mission control centre, drawing on the leadership of Chris Stark – and bringing together the brightest and best in the national interest – will be laser-focused on delivering our clean energy mission by 2030.”

Some experts say tackling planning barriers and grid connection delays will enable emissions from the power grid to be cut by 2030, while others warn that doing so quickly will increase costs and create supply chain bottlenecks. But Mr Miliband believes the plan will help cut electricity bills by reducing gas imports, as well as creating thousands of jobs in the clean energy sector. It will also reduce Britain’s dependence on countries ruled by dictators such as Vladimir Putin in Russia.

“Solving the climate crisis and accelerating the clean energy transition is the country’s greatest challenge and its greatest opportunity,” added Mr Stark. “By taking action now, we can put the UK at the forefront of the global race to net zero emissions.”

Mr Stark led the CCC for six years until earlier this year. He also served as the Scottish Government’s director of energy and climate change from 2016 to 2018.

During his time at the CCC, he regularly clashed with Conservative ministers, accusing the government after he left of turning net zero emissions into a political slogan and using it to start a “culture war” over climate. Yet his recommendation for a net zero UK emissions target by 2050 is now part of UK law.

For additional information:

Department of Energy Security and Net Zero