Despite Keir Starmer doubling down on commitments to pursue a net zero transition, there is still an urgent need to bring communities on side (Britain will accelerate push to net zero, Starmer tells energy summit, 24 April). The UK’s current approach to net zero relies heavily on leveraging international private investment, which allows for foreign corporate control and ownership over the growing green economy.
People need to experience the benefits of warmer homes, new green jobs, cleaner air and secure, sustainable energy in their everyday lives, and in their local communities. Community wealth-building offers a path forward to localise those benefits and democratise ownership.
The use of “anchor institutions” like universities, local government institutions and hospitals to support local green businesses, such as energy co-operatives and social enterprises, can be key to ensuring that wealth generated from the green economy stays in local communities. This model has been successfully trialled in places like Preston, Oldham, Lewes and North Ayrshire.
Research has found that most voters don’t actually dislike green technologies or even green policies – they dislike feeling left behind and feeling as if distant political and economic elites are making all the decisions and getting all the benefits from changes forced on them.
It’s time to revive local economies through a community-centred approach to net zero.
Dr Max Lacey-Barnacle
Brighton, East Sussex
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