UK named as the most impacted Western European nation of the energy crisis

Around 85% of British households use gas for heating and gas is used to generate around 40% of British electricity.

Following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK is the most impacted nation of the energy crisis in Western Europe, according to a 2022 report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Around 85% of British households use gas for heating and gas is used to generate around 40% of British electricity. The average British gas-reliant household has spent £800 more on wholesale gas than a normal year between February 2022 and February 2023, according to a study by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU). Not only have household energy bills soared to an unprecedented level, but we’ve also seen a spike in food inflation. This makes the decarbonisation of Britain’s energy system imperative not only for our climate, but also our economy.

The average British gas-reliant household has spent £800 more on wholesale gas than a normal year between February 2022 and February 2023

Whilst the Government has outlined plans to produce the UK’s 2050 climate target, these changes do not go far enough.

On Thursday 30th March, the Energy Security Secretary, Grant Shapps, presented the UK government’s ‘Green Day’ energy security plan. In this plan, promises of long term affordable, clean energy are made. However, these suggested measures will not deliver on climate change on time.

The Climate Party believes that the UK should be the leading nation on decarbonisation and needs stronger government support to do so.