CBI responds to the UK Government's plan to phase out coal by 2024

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Economist, said:

“Bringing forward the unabated coal phase-out date demonstrates the UK is leading by example in shifting our reliance on fossil fuels in the power sector. The move from coal to renewable generation has been made possible by having clear ambition and policies in place to transition at pace and scale.

“The UK must now cut emissions across the wider energy system and economy, and shift reliance on fossil fuels in other sectors, such as heat and transport. To continue demonstrating UK leadership in phasing-out fossil fuels ahead of COP26, we now need long-term strategy and swift policy action that will provide the certainty that business need to invest.”