Former bp boss: UK must ‘step up’ on climate action as US cuts back

FORMER bp boss Lord John Browne of Madingley has urged the UK to become a global leader in climate action in the face of “regrettable” low-carbon cutbacks happening in the US.

In a lecture at the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng), Lord Browne told an audience of energy and financial experts that the UK has an opportunity to lead in decarbonisation technology – provided it continues to invest in commercially established renewables, namely solar, wind, and nuclear.

By the end of last year, renewables, including wind, solar, and hydro, made up more than half of the UK’s electricity generation. In parallel, fossil fuel accounted for 31.5% of electricity generation, down 16%.

Lord Browne said: “I was in the US a few weeks ago and low-carbon activity is being cut back, and funding is being reduced. I find that regrettable, but I also find it the strongest possible reason for the UK, both in academia and industry, to step up.”

Lord Browne said large private energy companies must prioritise low-carbon innovation.

The comment follows major private energy firms including Equinor and bp, which he led from 1995 to 2007, cutting investment in renewables to focus on high-margin fossil fuels.