18 February 2025
Chris Hinchliff, Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire, has secured a commitment to sustainable development for the Government’s new publicly owned energy company, Great British Energy.
Last week, Chris Hinchliff MP met with the Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, Lord Hunt, who confirmed that, following campaigning by Mr Hinchliff and the Wildlife and Countryside Trust, the Government would amend the Great British Energy Bill to assess the impact of its activities on sustainable development in the UK, including in relation to Environment Act 2021 targets.
Welcoming the proposed amendment, Mr Hinchliff commented: "This is an important win on an issue that matters to so many people in North East Hertfordshire. Protecting and enhancing the natural world is one of the issues constituents most often write to me about. The local environment is clearly one of the things that means most to people in communities right across the constituency – hardly surprising given the incredible countryside that surrounds us.”
Since taking office, Mr Hinchliff has used his platform to highlight the need to rapidly decarbonise the economy to mitigate global climate change, calling for a sustainable and just energy transition while preserving Britain’s endangered countryside, adding:
“Without action to reduce our dependency on foreign fossil fuel imports, not only will we continue to risk further leaps in energy bills, but we also face a future where the rhythm of our seasons gets bent out of shape, iconic species like the English oak disappear, and our most loved landscapes change beyond recognition,
“The creation of Great British Energy offers a unique opportunity to start delivering renewable energy in a way that prioritises British people and our natural surroundings over private profit."
Mr Hinchliff will continue campaigning alongside Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coalition of nature and wildlife charities, to ensure that the transition to renewable energy protects the natural environment, supports sustainable development and meets environmental targets.
ENDS
Editors’ Notes
Chris Hinchliff MP is the first Labour MP for the seat of North East Hertfordshire since it was established in 1997. He was elected in July 2024. For more information, visit www.chrishinchliff.co.uk
The specific amendment states:
Sustainable Development "Great British Energy must keep under review the impact of its activities on the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom."
Member’s explanatory statement:
This amendment ensures that Great British Energy consistently evaluates its role in supporting sustainable development.
Lord Hunt further clarified the Government’s commitment in his statement to the House of Lords yesterday:
"This amendment relates to a new clause to be inserted after Clause 7, requiring Great British Energy to keep under review the impact of its activities on sustainable development in the UK. A healthy natural environment is critical to a strong economy and sustainable growth. Our commitment to the environment is unwavering, including meeting the Environment Act 2021 targets, such as halting biodiversity decline in England by 2030.
Through clean energy deployment and decarbonisation, Great British Energy will support our carbon budgets and net zero goals, helping to protect nature from the impacts of climate change. We want to work together across the UK to achieve our net-zero ambitions."
"Sustainable development, as recognised by the UN, encompasses the economy, environment, and society. Further details of this amendment will be outlined in the framework document governing the relationship between my department and Great British Energy."
You can read the full Hansard record of the announcement here.
An example of sustainable renewable energy development practices includes managing solar farms to support wildlife, as covered in a recent study by the RSPB and Cambridge University, which can be read here.
Contact
All press queries should be addressed to:
Press Office Office of Chris Hinchliff MP chris.hinhcliff.mp@parliament.uk