The UK Government recently published its Net Zero Growth Plan, which outlines how the UK will further its efforts towards net zero by 2050. The Plan includes more detail on support for farmers to calculate and reduce on farm emissions. The headline publication Powering Up Britain due to be updated by the end of March is spilt into two halves, Energy Security Plan and Net Zero Growth Plan
Key policy announcements:
- The Government will publish a Net Zero and Nature Workforce Action Plan in 2024.
- The Government will work with partners to ensure that net zero and green careers are considered in all relevant current and proposed careers campaigns across government and industry.
These publications mostly relate to the energy sector and grid network. However, the commitment to develop a Net Zero and Nature Workforce Action Plan in 2024 offers the opportunity for horticulture to be formally recognised both as a ‘green’ workforce and as integral to the Government’s net zero progress. The CIH will be engaging with industry partners, key government departments and Action Plan team when it is established to inform and influence with this as the aim.