The UK Government on Thursday revealed their newest environmental policies to ensure energy security for the UK. The plans include schemes to drive investment in renewable energy as well as a consultation addressing carbon leakage that could result in a border tax on carbon-intensive goods.

These ‘Green Day’ plans, set out by Energy Security Secretary, Grant Shapps, are the Government’s newest steps int progressing the UK towards achieving net zero. Schapps outlined investments in support of an increase in electric vehicles, a reduction in UK reliance on fossil fuels to heat buildings, as well as a new consultation regarding carbon leakage. The consultation outlines strategic goals and policy options to support decarbonisation, one of which is a ‘carbon border adjustment mechanism’ (CBAM). This border tax would apply to imported products to make sure they are ‘subject to a comparable carbon price to that incurred in UK production.’

The policies are also intended to in tackling increasing household bills in the UK. Among the policies was an expansion to Government energy efficiency support to more households. The Great British Insulation Scheme is set to upgrade 300,000 of the country’s least energy-efficient homes.

Commenting on the new policies, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

[We are] driving forward plans to boost renewables, revive nuclear and build new thriving industries like carbon capture, which will in turn create good jobs across the country, provide new opportunities for British businesses at home and abroad, and maintain our world-leading action to reach net zero.