The low carbon economy must be the foundation of our future prosperity.
Scottish Greens have shown, with our Jobs in Scotland’s New Economy report, that we can create 200,000 new jobs by 2035 in lasting industries such as renewables, energy efficiency and North Sea decommissioning. We must invest in green industrialisation to deliver the affordable homes, transport and energy we need for a low-carbon future.
Energy efficiency remains a key priority. Greens would prioritise investment in warm homes for all, with a nationwide insulation programme, and in a Green Industrial Strategy to build resilient national and local economies.
Green MPs will fight to reverse the Conservative government’s cuts to renewable energy subsidies. Our energy system must deliver emissions reductions, tackle fuel poverty and reduce energy tariffs, while bringing in new measures to reduce energy demand.
We support community-owned renewables with access to subsidy and the grid. We want to see councils creating local energy companies to build publicly-owned renewables, earning profits to fund public services.
The gas and electricity transmission and distribution network is a clear instance of monopoly without the scope for real competition. The grid should be under public control to enable a coordinated transition to a low carbon and distributed network.
We will fight to restore funding for carbon capture and storage research, and continue to oppose nuclear power plants because they can never be safe, decentralised, or delivered and decommissioned without massive subsidy.
And we see a role for a reformed banking sector in supporting energy policy. We want a network of local banks for every city and region. These banks will be there to serve the people and to lend to low-carbon enterprise.
Patrick Harvie MSP is co-convener of the Scottish Greens and MP candidate for Glasgow North
With just a few days left to the snap General Election, Energy Voice has been round the political parties to see what they have in store for energy policies.
All the major political parties were contacted for comment. Here are the ones who responded.