OPINION: Labour Gov creates more certainty for sustainability and net zero

Let’s be honest: getting to net zero and improving the chance of humans living in harmony with our planet will only occur with a huge dose of trust in each other and many policies brought in by the governments of the world to support the plan.

So I, for one, was impressed by a bit more ambition in the Labour manifesto and the nature of the practical steps they have started with.

Their manifesto stated they had the ambition to get the electricity grid decarbonised and move to just wind, solar and nuclear energy by 2030. Improving the speed of change by five years.

Within two days of being elected, David Miliband was appointed the minister for this, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the planning policies were relaxed to allow share wind – wow, promises were made and then steps were taken to achieve the planned end result. This feels like progress.

More real intent

Of course, there's lots more to do. Yet, let's be really positive now. Resist listening to the cynic in you and keep trusting together, working together... we all can make a difference.

Trust, according to author Stephen Covey, comes from all of the following integrity and intent, capability and results. I really feel the Labour team have more integrity, more real intent, significantly more capability and will be more likely to deliver results on their part of sustainability promises than our previous lot – the ever-changing set of Conservatives.

I can’t help but be pleased we, the electorate, showed our derision for those Conservatives who really have been untrustworthy or incapable in Government.

Maybe (and I really hope this), we will begin trusting the Labour team to work with us as publican and hospitality professionals on making our industry truly sustainable in terms of climate change and nature. And as we have more trust in their intent, we will all commit more to our own net zero target dates.

Working together

After decarbonisation is on the way, we will need to focus on the food and food supply chain challenge. That's the largest of our carbon impact in pubs and it will take farming changes, supply chain changes and consumer eating habits all to change to make a big dent.

Working together with Government is going to be part of the solution. We know some if not most of the answers, we need help to ensure everyone is on same path.

Of course, the Labour team may start understanding the challenges with the economics of smaller pubs and start working with UKH, BBPA, the pubcos and BII on making sure rates, VAT, duty are balanced to allow pubs to be sustainable in profit and sustainable for the planet. And wouldn’t this be wonderful?

None of these challenges are simple to solve, yet all are solvable. I remain optimistic and determined.

I look forward to working in the pub world, trying to solve the planets and pub communities challenges with a Labour Government.