In response the list of infrastructure priorities published today as part of the government’s Growth Plan, Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research, said:

“Almost two-thirds of the infrastructure priorities announced today as part of the Chancellor’s Growth Plan are road schemes, along with five North Sea oil and gas developments. Surely the government can no longer pretend that its plans are consistent with the UK’s legal obligation to cut climate-changing carbon emissions?

“It’s good that there a few offshore wind projects in the mix – though a relatively small number – but alongside these there should have been a long list of onshore wind sites and solar farms because they are quick to build and an incredibly cheap source of energy.

“What’s also missing from the Growth Plan is any assessment of its climate impacts. Instead, it works as a blueprint for ripping up important environmental safeguards and pursuing economic growth at any cost, which is the last thing we need faced with a climate and ecological crisis that is already devastating the planet.”