What Claire Coutinho’s promotion to Energy Secretary means for UK’s net zero push, according to campaigners
The appointment of Rishi Sunak’s ally Claire Coutinho to Energy Secretary has raised hopes among environmental campaigners and the Conservatives’ green wing that the Government’s net zero agenda could be back on track.
Ms Coutinho’s closeness to the Prime Minister and her background as a Treasury minister means she is unlikely to unveil radical new policies on green investment or spending on the environmental agenda.
But some insiders and experts believe her predecessor, Grant Shapps, had overdone the “culture war” on net zero, particularly after the Conservatives held their London seat of Uxbridge as voters protested against the Labour mayor’s expansion of the ultra-low emission zone.
A pro-green Tory source said: “I don’t think she will want to tighten spending, but she will have a sharp eye for deadweight costs of schemes.
“Lots of things like the Green Homes Grant are used in the Treasury to be wary of net zero spending. But she is entirely convinced of the need to move towards net zero, and I think on things like the Energy Bill she will want to ensure it doesn’t get watered down.”
An environmental campaign insider said green NGOs were broadly happy with the appointment, pointing out that Ms Coutinho had talked about offshore wind and the environment in her maiden speech in the Commons shortly after her election in 2019.
Ms Coutinho was an active member of the Conservative Environment Network caucus of MPs and peers before becoming a minister, and had talked positively about the transition to electric vehicles.
However, they said that as an ultra-loyalist to Mr Sunak, she may toe the line on his net zero agenda – which has been watered down by the Prime Minister in recent weeks after the Uxbridge by-election.
Ms Coutinho is more likely to pursue a “steady as she goes” approach in her new department, the insider said.
Several key players in No 10, including Mr Sunak’s political secretary James Forsyth, election strategist Isaac Levido and the PM’s special adviser on energy, Nick Park, will likely hold sway on the Government’s net zero agenda.
Shadow Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The new Energy Secretary needs to recognise that Grant Shapps’ approach has been a disaster and distance herself from it. His opposition to clean, homegrown power has damaged Britain’s energy security, alarmed business and driven away investors.”
Dave Timms, head of political affairs at Friends of the Earth, said: “Good riddance to Grant Shapps. He seemed to be more concerned with playing childish politics on social media than the serious policies needed to address the greatest challenge of our time.
“He has promoted new drilling for oil and gas against the advice of his own climate advisers, allowed speculation about whether vital deadlines for the transition to electric vehicles and heat pumps would be stuck to, and failed to invest in home insulation.
“The country needs a serious secretary of state that will step up to give the certainty and support that businesses and people need to invest in the changes that will cut both emissions and the cost of living. We hope Claire Coutinho will be that person.”
Despite praise for Ms Coutinho, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas pointed out that the new Energy Secretary had only mentioned climate change “a grand total of three times in parliamentary debates – not exactly inspiring my confidence! It’s vital she does a better job than her (many) predecessors”.
