Net zero requires new ways of thinking about how we supply and use energy

Do away with centralised companies in favour of localised generation and saving more energy, writes Charles Harris of the Green party

One of the problems of change is changing our old ways of thinking. This applies particularly to energy (Power struggle: fears for UK energy generation as green projects delayed, 16 February). The old way is to have large centralised companies supplying fuel and power that is cheap enough for us to use wastefully, yielding large profits for their shareholders. So inevitably this is how people tend to think of net zero. But this won’t work, as your article shows.

The new way involves, first, using less. Insulating homes, reducing the need to travel, reviving local high streets, encouraging foot and cycle traffic, moving people and freight from road to rail, even considering what colour to paint flat roofs to reflect heat – all of this will remove demand from the energy market. Less profit but more gain. Byproducts include reviving the economy, cleaner air and water, cheaper bills and healthier people.

Second, why should supply be centralised? Relax restrictions on solar panels for power and heat, and subsidise. Our aim should be to have as many buildings become as self-sufficient in energy as possible. Third, develop more localised generation. Combined heat and power for districts, for example, could fill much of the gap.

The grid then becomes the backstop, to fill in the rest. There’s only one major problem – lower dividends for the CEOs and shareholders who donate to the Tory party. So, what’s it going to be?

Cover photo: Our aim should be to have as many buildings become as self-sufficient in energy as possible.’ Photograph: Mike Kemp/Corbis/Getty Images