The Association for Renewable Energy & Clean Technology has published a ‘Green Pathway’ to increase net-zero efforts and develop new jobs increasing the economy.

The Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) has published their ‘Strategy for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology’ which will support the UK’s efforts to become net-zero and the economic recovery after the global COVID-19 pandemic.

This document outlines the important steps that are essential to meet UK targets set in the Paris Agreement. Not only will the strategy provide the path to accelerate the progress to net-zero but it will also increase the UK economy by providing more jobs in a growing industry.

The important targets:

• Increase the percentage of renewable energy within the electricity generation mix to 50% by the end of 2022. This will then be further increased to have electricity generated 100% by renewable sources in 2032.
• Have large percentages of demand coming from heat and transport industries to be met by renewable energy or clean technologies by 2035.
• Achieve separation and recycle of bio-waste at the source or collected separately by 2023 to create a circular economy. This means removing food and garden waste from landfills by using it to its highest potential value as a renewable energy source.

These targets in turn will develop over 200,000 new jobs within the renewable energy and clean technology industry by 2035.

However, the transition will be easier said than done as a range of barriers have been acknowledged that must be removed. The green energy market requires a clear route and purpose for the grid if it is to 100% replace the fossil fuel industry. This means having the right mix of technology to support its implementation and the right people to bring it to market. Like the use of fossil fuels, there is a need to standardise best practices for its generation and turn to circular resource management.

Chief Executive of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, said:

“The UK’s energy system is in the midst of the largest transformation for generations, moving towards the legally-binding 2050 Net Zero target for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The change required over the next three decades is on a par to that experienced during the industrial revolution; affecting people’s homes, businesses and the very fabric of the nation.”

This will be the first instance of REA providing their views on how to deliver net-zero using renewable and clean technology, following their 20th anniversary.

The next steps for REA will be to communicate the in-depth result from their report to the Government and energy Regulators, such as Ofgem, to drive the net-zero efforts. The report will be referred to as a route map within the energy industry to achieve a more circular economy.