People are calling it the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era. Despite the controversy and wrangling at this year’s COP climate conference, the end result is good, if not perfect. The Parties have agreed to ‘transition away from fossil fuels’ – the first time fossil fuels have been mentioned in a COP agreement. While many would have liked stronger language it’s worth noting that COP statements must be unanimously agreed so, though it comes with inevitable compromises, every country has signed up to it. We should indeed celebrate it as a remarkable achievement given the conference was hosted by an oil-producing nation in the Middle East.
The nations of the world have agreed the use of fossil fuels does not have a long-term future.
This matters for all of us because every country is now obliged to make this change. Every UK government, of whichever party, must work towards this end. Some will work hard, some may be laggards, but none can argue that fossil fuels have a long-term future. Our energy system must transition to renewable sources. Some in our society may bemoan this and I am sure we will hear their voices shouting from the sidelines but this COP statement will put to bed any notion that we should continue business as usual.
These changes will not be easy and in some cases will be painful. It’s critical that we make sure no one is left behind.
Of course the devil is in the detail and we cannot shy away from the trade-offs that will come. Jobs will be lost and new ones need to be found for those in the oil and gas industry; new technologies will need investment to replace high-power needs like concrete, steel and aviation, and each of us will need to change how we heat our homes and how we travel. Changes like this will not be easy and in some cases will be painful.
So it’s critical that we make sure no one is left behind.
That is our job at Severn Wye. As a charity we aim to support and raise the voices of those who have little chance of being heard. The fuel poor, the rurally isolated, those who are vulnerable and struggle to make these changes. We will continue to offer access to fuel payments, practical energy advice, and personal support for those who need it most. And we will continue to invest in the long term – generating power from renewable sources close to communities, capturing carbon and improving our energy efficiency.
Charities like Severn Wye must be at the forefront of these changes, taking the risks that others will not, trying new technologies and techniques and making sure the transition away from fossil fuels is not driven by profit but benefits everyone.
The world has just agreed to take on a formidable challenge and we will be there to help everyone run with the baton.
