The Labour Party has committed to implementing a target for net-zero emissions by 2050.

That’s according to Rebecca Long Bailey MP, Shadow Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary, who spoke at a Labour Party Conference about how the UK can best avoid the “severe consequences” of a changing environment.

She said the Climate Change Act binding the government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% before 2050 needs to go further if it is to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C.

Ms Long Bailey said experts agreed the Labour Party’s mission to provide 60% of the UK’s energy demand from renewable or low carbon sources within 12 years was possible.

A report commissioned by Labour found a diverse energy mix is required to cut emissions, with a seven-fold increase in offshore wind power to bring capacity up to 52GW and power 12 million homes.

The experts also propose doubling onshore wind power and nearly tripling solar capacity to power a further seven million homes, while implementing energy efficiency improvements to eliminate fuel poverty.

She said: “This is not the time for piecemeal measures. We do not have to settle for whatever the market can deliver and sleep walk into catastrophe.

“Because we can unleash the energy of the wind and the waves and of our people, who have been criminally neglected through this country’s long de-industrialisation.”