Dale Vince, a prominent renewable energy entrepreneur and major Labour Party donor, has called on Andy Burnham to abandon the use of the term “net zero” and to dismantle the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero if he becomes prime minister. Vince criticized several of the party’s net zero policies as inefficient and costly, arguing that continuing to invest billions in these initiatives amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is unjustifiable.

Vince, who founded the renewable energy company Ecotricity and has donated over £5 million to Labour since 2015, contended that responsibility for environmental policy should be shifted back to the Treasury and the Department for Business and Trade. He referenced the previous government’s approach, suggesting that centralizing control in these departments would be more effective. He also proposed cutting funding for carbon capture and heat pump subsidies, asserting that such measures could save taxpayers approximately £13 billion during the current parliamentary term without hindering progress toward the broader goal of net zero emissions.

The entrepreneur described carbon capture—a technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions for underground storage—as currently unreliable and premature for large-scale investment, likening reliance on it to “pinning our hopes on the tooth fairy.” He also criticized government subsidies aimed at encouraging consumers to install heat pumps or purchase electric vehicles, suggesting these incentives primarily benefit wealthier individuals who could afford such technologies without assistance.

Vince further argued that the use of the phrase “net zero” has provided political fodder for critics, notably the Reform Party, which has attacked Labour’s climate policies as misguided. He accused Ed Miliband, the current energy secretary responsible for overseeing the department and its net zero agenda, of inadvertently strengthening opposition narratives by emphasizing the term “net zero.” Vince suggested that a leadership change presents an opportunity for Labour to adopt a fresh strategy on environmental issues.

A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero defended its mission, stating that “Net zero is the economic opportunity of the 21st century,” highlighting the government’s commitment to transitioning the country toward renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions.

As Labour prepares for a potential leadership transition, internal debates over climate policy priorities and their economic implications are expected to intensify, reflecting broader tensions over the party’s approach to environmental issues and public spending during a period of economic uncertainty.