The Union and the energy transition

The Climate Change Committee report found the Scottish government was falling way behind on implementing climate change targets. As the opposition, the Scottish Conservatives have a responsibility, as well as a political opportunity, to hold ministers to account over poor delivery of net zero and the energy transition. CEN-commissioned polling found that a majority of Scottish Conservative voters support an accelerated energy transition to renewables. They also think it will be easier to transition to clean energy and fight climate change using the fiscal might of the United Kingdom.

There are strong conservative arguments for why preserving the Union will make it easier and more economically beneficial to transition, for instance by having free trade in low-carbon goods and energy within the UK. But ambitious, pragmatic policies need to be put in place to make the most of the opportunities net zero provides. Whether changes to tax, coherent regulation, or targeted investment in skills, there is still much more that the Scottish and UK governments need to do to maintain energy security, leverage investment into new energy sectors, and reach net zero. This event will bring together Scottish Conservative politicians with economists and environmentalists to explore the issue of the transition and discuss what must happen next to secure the future of the North Sea energy sector.

Join us as we bring together Scottish Conservative politicians with economists and environmentalists to explore the issue of the transition in the context of the Union, and discuss what must happen next to secure the future of the North Sea energy sector.

Refreshments available.