A newly enlarged Net Zero Council of businesses, trade unions, local authorities, investors plus other public and private stakeholders has met for the first time this week to find ways to accelerate the UK’s clean energy transition.

Originally launched in 2023 by former energy minister Graham Stuart, the Council is now co-chaired by energy secretary Ed Miliband and Co-operative Group CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq, with new members including the Local Government Association and Design Council.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the broader coalition “strengthens the Council’s ability to unlock the opportunities of decarbonisation” and support thousands of jobs.

Priorities over the next two years will include providing expert input to inform government strategies, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to decarbonise, aiding the development and delivery of sector roadmaps and informing the government’s approach to public engagement.

A new delivery group will oversee the Council’s workstreams and help to drive progress.

Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: “Businesses and leaders across our country recognise that clean power and accelerating towards net zero represents the economic opportunity of the 21st century.

“By working in partnership, we can drive the investment, innovation and industrial transformation needed to make the UK a clean energy superpower.”

Co-operative Group CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq added: “I’m delighted to be continuing my role as co-chair of the Net Zero Council. The science couldn’t be clearer that we must act collectively and decisively, and co-operation between businesses, civic society and government is what we need now more than ever.”