Labour, Broadway and the Sustainability Agenda

The Broadway Initiative • 5 July 2024

We have a newly elected Labour government which a huge majority of over 200 seats. So what does this mean for sustainability and for Broadway?

Comparisons have been drawn with the New Labour landslide of 1997, though the more accurate parallel may be the Wilson government of the 1960s: elected on the promise of modernising the economy through a government-business partnership and playing to our scientific strengths, yet faced with a challenging economic environment.

What to expect from a Labour govt?

People

We anticipate no changes as the Shadow Cabinet becomes the government, but we will update and confirm as necessary as the news unfolds.

Net Zero: We expect Ed Miliband to be back in the role he left in 2010. Miliband is well known to us as he is to many of you. Starmer has talked of keeping Ministers in post for sustained periods to bring more stability to government, so it is possible that he will be leading on net zero for the next 5 years. In his team the key minister is likely to be Kerry McCarthy as Climate Minister. Those of you at our Parliamentary Reception back in January will remember her speech in which she expressed support for Broadway, and we have discussed with her both the role of the Net Zero Council and our wider net zero work.

We have strong relationships with Mr Miliband’s advisors. It is also rumoured that Chris Skidmore may be appointed to some sort of net zero role; members may remember the session we ran with him as part of his net zero review for the last government.

Environment: We expect Steve Reed to be confirmed as Defra SoS, with Daniel Zeichner, whom we know well, as Minister of State. We have ongoing dialogue with Defra policy officials in both the Labour Party and the department itself, to make sure we are ready to work with the incoming government on their nature priorities.

MIssions

Starmer is championing mission-led government and has set five missions in particular, the two most relevant to Broadway being ‘become a clean energy superpower’ and ‘kickstart economic growth’.

“Mission-led government’ refers to a focus on outcomes over process and may result in the creation of ‘mission boards’ with authority to pursue these goals across departments.

Below the Net Zero and Growth Mission Boards the outlines of possible structures are emerging: a statutory Industrial Strategy Council, possibly an ‘Office of Net Zero’, and a National Wealth Fund expected to crowd in private finance to support the industrial strategy and clean energy missions.

Steve Reed has talked about a need for a stronger partnership between Government, stakeholders and communities to deliver environmental goals, and Broadway stands by to deliver trade association engagement.

Agenda

On net zero, Labour is likely to focus heavily on decarbonising electricity in order to meet its extremely ambitious target: to fully decarbonise the electricity supply by 2030. New Ministers will want to move quickly to show this is achievable, while coming under pressure in 2025 to flesh out their longer term plans. Recent court judgements mean they must publish a new net zero strategy by May next year and they will also need to respond to the CCC’s proposed 7th Carbon Budget. On industrial decarbonisation, the National Wealth Fund is earmarked to support industrial sectors, with an emphasis given to the roles of CCS and CBAM.

On the wider environment, the priorities are less clear. A Land Use Framework is the one clear specific manifesto commitment and is likely to be an immediate priority, with Steve Reed outlining other policy proposals in the press during the campaign. Broadway is looking forward to working with the new government to identify ways in which our coalition of business and trade associations can help join up the environment policy landscape and translate goals and targets into relatable, realistic and effective action on the ground.

What it means for Broadway

Broadway exists to create the collaboration mechanisms and policy frameworks to enable business to combine economic growth with delivering society’s environmental and climate goals. That goal remains unchanged, and like many of you we have spent recent months having extensive conversations with Shadow Ministers and advisers, discussing with them how our work relates to their desire to work with business to deliver the Green Prosperity Plan.

There are clear opportunities ahead: Labour has both a desire to work closely with business and is likely to be keen to do this through formal structures. This instinct will support our aim of joining up and simplifying the business/government dialogue on green issues. Our strong relationship with both officials and the NGOs from whom Labour is likely to seek input will be invaluable.

Immediate steps

As a Broadway member, you will shortly receive a briefing outlining our immediate approach to the new government, and inviting your engagement. The briefing will cover opportunities to question officials and contribute to early communications, and provide an overview of our priority policy areas. We will mobilise and represent our members and supporters as we move forward with net zero roadmaps, SME engagement, marrying environmental improvement and economic growth, and ensuring high integrity nature markets. We will want to hear from our entire coalition as we progress into this new era.

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Broadway Initiative Welcomes the Relaunched Net Zero Council

by Broadway Initiative • 17 February 2025

The Broadway Initiative was delighted to attend the first meeting of the relaunched Net Zero Council (NZC), the central forum where Ministers, the financial community, and leaders from business and civil society can coordinate the business transition to net zero. Broadway worked hard to secure the future of the NZC, and now jointly provides the secretariat, ensuring our members are connected to the heart of the Council's activities. The Net Zero Council has a renewed emphasis on offering expert insights to shape government policies on net zero. It is dedicated to supporting the creation and implementation of sector-specific roadmaps, equipping businesses with transition planning tools, and enabling investors to identify key opportunities. Commenting on the relaunch of the Net Zero Council, Broadway Initiative Convenor Ed Lockhart said: "UK businesses need certainty, including on the transition to a clean energy future, to invest, grow, and ultimately improve living standards. By launching the Net Zero Council aligned to the clean energy mission, the government is providing a much-needed platform for the business community, financial institutions, civil society, and government to work in partnership on a shared and inclusive long-term plan. The Broadway Initiative looks forward to bringing business and environmental organisations together to make the most of this opportunity." As the Net Zero Council moves forward, Broadway remains committed to facilitating meaningful engagement between policymakers and business leaders. We will continue to advocate for the practical measures and regulatory clarity needed to accelerate the UK’s transition to a net zero economy. Read the Government's Press Release: Net Zero Council relaunched to supercharge Clean Energy Superpower Mission Read more about the Net Zero Council

Nature Markets Dialogue Workshop

by Broadway Initiative • 10 February 2025

On the 6th February the Nature Markets Dialogue (NMD) hosted the first workshop of 2025. Professionals drawn from across the demand, supply and operational sides of nature markets met to continue the discussion of the critical need for robust governance. The workshop built on 12 months of effort to convene a consensus around the future for nature market development, rooted in the belief that by working together we can reach the best possible outcome. Government is engaged and listening, at a crucial moment for environmental policy development, so we were delighted so many knowledgeable individuals joined us to pool their experience and expertise. The session was characterised by both a realism that these issues have been under discussion for some time and there has been some disappointment along the way, and by a strong sense of optimism that we will eventually secure market integrity in the UK. Perhaps inspired by the ideas in the NMD Governance Paper or by the healthy turnout of professionals prepared to collaborate, 61% of attendees counted themselves as positive that our goals will be achieved. The purpose of the event was to workshop answers to the NMD Governance Consultation , which remains open to everyone until the 28th February. From the 15 questions, six were identified as being of particular interest via a pre-meeting poll. Those six were subject to rigorous discussion in smaller breakout groups, as the attendees helped shape and form each other’s responses. The true outcome of this process will be recorded in the responses to the consultation itself , but the workshop highlighted some key themes that are sure to come out in the conclusions: The need for government leadership and action The need to learn from existing good practice at home and abroad The vital importance of the government’s new Land Use Framework consultation A clear focus on nature recovery at all times The significance of data platforms and emerging technologies The results of this consultation will build towards a governance framework that the NMD will propose to government at a future Ministerial roundtable. Everyone at the Broadway Initiative is extremely grateful to all participants, and to Bruce Howard from the Ecosystems Knowledge Network who so ably facilitated the workshop.

Consultation on a governance framework for high-integrity nature markets

by Broadway Initiative • 23 December 2024

At a time of significant change in UK environmental policy making, the Broadway Initiative's ' Nature Markets Dialogue ' (NMD) is seeking your views on how investment in nature is governed. Your responses will help shape our approach to Government, as we plan to propose a governance framework for high integrity nature markets. To that end, you are invited to share feedback on the latest consultation paper: Towards a governance framework for high integrity nature markets. The consultation paper has been informed by the feedback, roundtables and online workshops that NMD participants have supported over the past 12 months. A key message from the Dialogue to date is that well-designed and governed nature markets are first and foremost about providing an efficient mechanism for the delivery of verified improvements to the natural environment. Nature markets can deliver improvements to meet voluntary or regulated obligations, provide insets for supply chains and offsetting for development, and efficiently deliver government investment in nature. This is a vital moment for environmental policy development: the Environmental Improvement Plan is under review and revision; the Cunliffe Commission and the Planning Reform Working Paper on Development and Nature Recovery are seeking evidence; and we expect the Government will soon consult on the governance of Voluntary Carbon and Nature Markets. We have a unique opportunity to highlight the need for a robust UK governance mechanism that ensures UK nature markets are high integrity and make a significant contribution to nature’s recovery. We have created an online portal to obtain your feedback and views here, where we have 15 specific questions on which we would value your thoughts . In addition, we will be hosting a series of workshops in the coming weeks to progress the Dialogue around the issues raised in the paper. The process will culminate in a roundtable to present the results and recommendations to Ministers. Find out more about the UK Nature Markets Dialogue .