The Energy Dilemmas!

This Castle Debates session examined whether the Government’s Energy Security Strategy and its “bold, new commitments to supercharge clean energy and accelerate deployment” are sufficient to meet 2030 emissions reduction targets and the Sixth Carbon Budget. The discussion explored choices across energy supply, the electrification of transport, and the heating and cooling of buildings, with a focus on affordability, scale and delivery. It also considered how the public can be better informed about complex energy trade-offs amid cost of living pressures and confusing rhetoric.

• Overview

  This session explored the Government’s Energy Security Strategy and what it means for decarbonisation, energy affordability and consumer choices. Discussion focused on the practicality of the proposed technology mix, the challenges of delivering change at scale, and how policy can support clearer public understanding.

  Key questions

  • Are the Government’s commitments enough to meet 2030 emissions targets and the Sixth Carbon Budget?

  • Do the strategy’s technology choices support affordable, cleaner and more efficient energy at scale?

  • What does the strategy imply for transport electrification and the heating and cooling of buildings?

  • How should policymakers balance security of supply, cost and decarbonisation in the near term?

  • What could improve public understanding of energy trade-offs and consumer choices?

• Speakers and chair

• Event details

  • Location: Remote

  • Format: Panel discussion and audience dialogue

  • Attendance: Held by prior registration

  • Schedule: Introduction; panel discussion and audience dialogue; audience Q&A