The UK's Chief Climate Adviser has issued a stark warning to ministers, urging that the costs of decarbonisation must be fairly distributed across society to avoid losing public support for the net zero agenda.

Emma Pinchbeck, CEO of the Climate Change Committee (CCC), called on Labour's Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves to make a clear, confident case for decarbonisation as a driver of economic growth.

While the shift to a low-carbon economy requires upfront investment, Pinchbeck emphasized that it ultimately provides long-term savings through increased energy efficiency.

In response to recent criticism of Labour’s policies, particularly Rachel Reeves’ emphasis on economic growth over environmental considerations, Pinchbeck stressed that economic growth and decarbonisation should be seen as complementary rather than contradictory goals.

She pointed to the CCC's upcoming carbon budget, which will outline the necessary emissions cuts over the next five years, including strategies for sectors like aviation and oil and gas.

Pinchbeck noted that the government must ensure the transition is equitable, with a focus on social impacts and fairness in the costs of decarbonisation.

As the UK prepares for its seventh carbon budget, expected to require some of the most drastic emissions cuts to date, Pinchbeck highlighted the importance of addressing the distribution of costs, particularly for households facing the financial burden of new technologies.

She suggested that reforming the current energy levy system could help make electricity more affordable.

However, with government concerns over tax increases, the potential for such reforms remains uncertain.

Despite these challenges, Pinchbeck reiterated that delaying decarbonisation would lead to even greater economic and societal costs in the future.