As a knowledge partner for Chapter Zero, the Centre for Climate Engagement prepared a post-Budget briefing to highlight the climate policy announcements with relevance for non-executive directors (NEDs).
On 26 November, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the 2025 Autumn Budget, setting out measures against a backdrop of low productivity and a renewed call for businesses to boost investment in the UK economy. However, despite the Budget’s investment focus, sustainability leaders warn it “falls short of what’s needed” to accelerate climate action.
There were a select number of announcements relevant to UK climate policy including:
- Launch of the North Sea Future Plan and the UK government’s continued support for existing North Sea oil and gas projects
- Proposed timelines for UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) legislation
- Commitments to bring down regulatory barriers to growing the UK’s nuclear energy sector
- Reductions in household energy bill prices through the removal of green levies
- Mixed signals on EV transition support, with both increased funding, as well as a new pay-per-mile charge for drivers
- Continued growth of the UK’s AI sector, with three new AI Growth Zones confirmed
These developments are spelled out in more detail in the briefing.
About Chapter Zero:
The full briefing was published by Chapter Zero, a network for non-executive directors and chairs who are integrating climate action into business strategy. Chapter Zero is the UK chapter of the Climate Governance Initiative, developed with the World Economic Forum.