Leaders from major businesses, civil society and local authorities have backed the government’s pro-growth and clean energy superpower missions following a meeting of the relaunched Net Zero Council, with a plan to help sectors accelerate to net zero and support thousands of jobs.
Co-chaired by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Co-operative Group CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq, the Council brings together leaders from some of the UK’s biggest businesses, charities and organisations, as well as trade unions and local authorities.
New members include representatives from the Trades Union Congress and Design Council, bringing expertise of green skills and jobs creation to the council to support the government’s mission for clean energy growth on the path to net zero.
This broader coalition strengthens the Council’s ability to unlock the opportunities of decarbonisation, with major industry players such as Siemens, Nestle and HSBC returning to the Council alongside new members including the Local Government Association and Aviva Investors to seize the growth opportunities of decarbonising the economy.
The first meeting focused on agreeing the Council’s priorities for 2025 to 2026, which will include:
- a new focus on providing expert input to inform government strategies relating to net zero
- supporting the development and delivery of sector roadmaps, helping businesses to develop transition plans and investors to identify opportunities
- supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to decarbonise while maximising the benefits of the transition
- informing the government’s approach to public engagement and developing products to support public participation with net zero
A new Delivery Group will oversee the Council’s workstreams and help to drive progress.
The relaunch reflects a new mission-led approach, ensuring government actively engages with a broad range of industry leaders and stakeholders to drive progress towards net zero. This will support the Plan for Change to help deliver new jobs and economic opportunities while ensuring a fair transition.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Businesses and leaders across our country recognise that clean power and accelerating towards net zero represents the economic opportunity of the 21st century. It is one which will protect bills, create jobs, and tackle the climate crisis. This Council is about mission-driven leadership, bringing government, business and civil society together to turn ambition into action. By working in partnership, we can drive the investment, innovation and industrial transformation needed to make the UK a clean energy superpower.”
Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy said: “The relaunch of the Net Zero Council comes at a critical moment in the UK’s journey towards a clean energy future. Bringing together leaders from across business, finance and civil society, the Council will play a crucial role in accelerating net zero ambitions, driving economic growth and creating thousands of jobs.”
Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO of The Co-operative Group, said: “Working urgently for a faster, fairer transition to a greener, cleaner economy is an absolute imperative. For the sake of our planet and for every community here in the UK and around the globe, it’s crucial we work together to unlock the significant opportunities the transition will bring for economic growth too. I’m therefore delighted to be continuing in my role as Co-chair of the Net Zero Council. The science couldn’t be clearer that we must act collectively and decisively, and co-operation between businesses, civic society and government is what we need now more than ever.”
While the Council itself is made up of senior leaders from key sectors, it is committed to an inclusive engagement strategy, ensuring a broad range of voices contribute to net zero delivery beyond formal members. This approach will ensure that businesses, communities and experts across the UK have opportunities to inform strategy, share best practices and help shape the transition.
Bev Cornaby, Director of the UK Corporate Leaders Group (CLG UK), said: “The relaunch of the Net Zero Council marks an important step in strengthening collaboration between government, business, civil society, and local government to accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero. Businesses are ready to lead, invest, and innovate, but they need the right policy framework and long-term clarity to unlock the full potential of a clean, competitive economy. The UK Corporate Leaders Group welcomes the opportunity to bring business leadership and ambition to the Council, supporting accelerated delivery and ensuring that government strategies are informed by real-world insights and that industry can play a central role in delivering a net zero future.”
