Parliamentarians urged to develop consistent policies to balance energy security and decarbonization
Taylor & Francis research briefing at UK Sense about Science Evidence Week highlights need for evidence-based energy policy
Clive Jones MP (left) and Dr Victor Azubike. Photo by James Gifford-Mead
Politicians and policymakers have been briefed on the urgent need for energy policies to be consistent and evidence-based and to balance both short- and long-term priorities. Recent UK governments have all been committed to the goal of achieving net-zero. However, global energy market disruption has resulted in pressure to prioritize immediate energy security over climate commitments.
Recommendations for dealing with this tension were considered as part of Evidence Week, a unique event bringing together the public, parliamentarians and researchers from across the UK to discuss how evidence from frontline research can inform policymaking in Parliament. Taylor & Francis’ policy briefing asked: ‘Can energy transition co-exist with energy security?’.
Dr Victor Azubike, Senior Lecturer at the University of Huddersfield, Consultant at CIRUU Energy London and author of a key article on the topic, discussed with parliamentarians the urgent need for strategic planning to resolve the policy challenge of balancing immediate energy security concerns and the imperative of systematic decarbonization.
A particular focus of conversations was the crucial role of policy consistency and clear timelines. With over 70% of total clean energy funding predicted to come from the private sector, investors need consistent signals from the government to commit to the substantial investments required.
“Energy is the bedrock of modern society; it cuts across all sectors and contributes to the development of economies around the world. It is therefore vital that policy in this area is based on research evidence,” said Dr Azubike. “It was very encouraging to speak with a range of parliamentarians who are keen to engage with energy policy questions.”
“It is important for policymakers to realize that energy security and the transition to cleaner energy sources are mutually reinforcing, rather than competing priorities,” added Dr Azubike. “My analysis has found that comprehensive pragmatic policy strategies are required to effectively pursue both goals simultaneously.
Visitors to the Taylor & Francis Evidence Week pod included: Lizzi Collinge MP, George Freeman MP, Clive Jones MP, Graham Leadbitter MP, Harpreet Uppal MP, Claire Young MP and Baroness Freeman of Steventon.
Evidence Week, now in its eighth year, is run by the campaigning charity Sense about Science, in partnership with the Quadram Institute, the UK Statistics Authority, communities and research institutions from across the UK. During the week, MPs meet with leading researchers to get the latest insights on pressing issues covering topics as varied as Artificial Intelligence, health, sports gambling and prison management.
Related research article: ‘The energy transition and energy security nexus: an outlook for the United Kingdom’ by Victor C Azubike in Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law.
